Bridgewater’s Baccalaureate Service will be held Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. in Cole Hall.
What is Baccalaureate?
Baccalaureate is a worship service honoring the graduating class. The service will last approximately one hour and includes multiple hymns, musical selections from the choir and the Baccalaureate message. This is also the first opportunity graduates have to wear their caps and gowns. Baccalaureate is open to any guests that would like to attend. Attending Baccalaureate is not required.
Tickets
Tickets are not required for the Baccalaureate Service on Friday evening.
Baccalaureate Speaker:
Rev. Lawrence M. Johnson ’75
The Rev. Larry Johnson is a Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bridgewater College in 1975. He holds a baccalaureate degree in sacred theology and a master of divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary and University.
Early in his career Johnson served several parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He also served for 29 years as Director of Pastoral Care and Mission Advancement at Stella Maris, Inc., a 400-bed long term care, hospice, rehab and senior living facility in Timonium, Md.
In his years at Stella Maris, Johnson worked with countless patients, residents and families facing end-of-life issues. In both the hospice and long-term care settings, the issues of care and comfort continue to be a struggle for patients and family members. Johnson brings a wealth of pastoral experience to the discussion of these issues and is especially adept in grief counseling and trauma intervention.
In addition to his professional work, Johnson serves on the Bridgewater College Board of Trustees and previously served on the Board of Directors of The MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital of Maryland and Good Samaritan Housing Services. He also served as the Executive Director of the AIDS Interfaith Network of Central Maryland. Now retired, Johnson provides support to parishes and funeral establishments in Baltimore County and the surrounding area.
Johnson maintains a keen interest in behavioral, emotional, physical and spiritual health and the intersection of mental and physical wellbeing. It is this interest that motivates his commitment to BC and his desire to support the wellness of the student body, faculty and staff.
