Craig Dickison To Deliver Commencement Address At Bushnell University (Photo) - 05/04/26

EUGENE, Ore. — Bushnell University is pleased to announce that Craig Dickison, executive director of Lane County Youth For Christ, will deliver the keynote address at the Spring Commencement ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Morse Center. 

The Board of Trustees will confer 144 degrees, which include 96 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and 13 graduate certificates. 

Dickison has served with Lane County Youth For Christ since 2003, leading efforts to reach and mentor young people across the Eugene-Springfield area. After beginning his career in the tech industry as a co-founder of a startup in Seattle, Craig followed God’s call into vocational ministry, dedicating his life to developing leaders and helping students encounter the hope of Jesus.  He is passionate about investing in the next generation.

Craig and his wife, Jil, have been married since 2004 and are raising their three kids: Elijah, Andrew, and Lydia.   

Commencement will be live streamed at live.bushnell.edu. Guests attending the event can find parking in the Morse Center lot, Womack Hall lot, or the available metered street parking. 

Bushnell University Announces 16th Annual Evening Of Tribute: The Beacon Awards (Photo) - 04/27/26

EUGENE, Ore. — Bushnell University is proud to announce its 16th Annual Evening of Tribute: The Beacon Awards, scheduled to take place on May 14, 2026 at Bushnell University.

Presented by professional services firm Baker Tilly, this highly anticipated event aims to honor the Beacons of today while investing in the Beacons of tomorrow. The Evening of Tribute: The Beacon Awards is a cherished community tradition that brings together like-minded, ethical leaders for recognition and celebration.

Each year, this signature event recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the community and have demonstrated a commitment to wisdom, faith, and service.

The 2026 Beacon Award Recipients are:

Outstanding Non-profit: Volunteers in Medicine

The mission of Volunteers in Medicine is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved in the greater Lane County area. The organization believes that those who live and work in the community deserve access to affordable health care, regardless of their financial situation.

Outstanding Business: FASTSIGNS

Relocating to Eugene in 2016, franchise owner Peter Knight-Sheen grew FASTSIGNS into a top-25 global franchise, executing multiple strategic acquisitions across Oregon and Connecticut. Dedicated to community and faith, Peter is an Eagle Scout, an active leader at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, and a former advisor for Bushnell University’s Center for Leadership and Ethics. He and his wife, Dr. Megan Kunze, have three children. An avid endurance athlete, Peter recently completed a 70.3 Ironman.

Distinguished Alumni: Drs. Bob ’64 and Karon Chapman ’62 

Drs. Bob ’64 and Karon Chapman ’62 have been long-time members at Norkenzie Christian Church and served as medical missionaries with Christian Missionary Fellowship for many years. Bob and Karon served in rural Ethiopia from 1970 to 1977, and then in rural Kenya from 1997 to 2006. Bob received his medical degree from University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health and Science University) in 1968, and Karon received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from the University in 1996.

Learn more about previous Beacon Award recipients at Bushnell.edu/tribute.

The 16^th Annual Evening of Tribute: The Beacon Awards will be held on May 14th, 2026 from 5 pm to 8 pm at Bushnell University’s Morse Center. This ticketed event includes a reception, a plated dinner, and dessert. Tickets are available for purchase as follows:

• Full table (8 seats): $800
• Half table (4 seats): $400
• Individual tickets: $100 per person
• 50% Discount on tickets and table discounts for alumni

To purchase tickets and for more event information, including a list of sponsors, please visit Bushnell.edu/tribute. We kindly request that tables and tickets be purchased by May 1, 2026.

For those interested in becoming sponsors of the Evening of Tribute: The Beacon Awards, please contact Ali Savage, M.A., Director of Annual Giving at 541-684-7318 or asavage@bushnell.edu.

Join us on May 14, 2026, as we come together to honor our award recipients and invest in the future Beacons of our community through support of the Beacon Fund for Student Scholarships. Your participation and support are greatly appreciated.