Dr. Gayle Doornbos, associate professor of theology at Dordt University, will deliver the undergraduate commencement address titled "Joyful Resistance" on May 9, encouraging graduates to bear witness to Christ’s light and hope in the world.
Dr. Gayle Doornbos, associate professor of theology, will serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker for Dordt University’s Class of 2025. The undergraduate commencement ceremony will take place on Friday, May 9 in the B.J. Haan Auditorium at 9:30 a.m.
Doornbos, who has been part of Dordt’s faculty since 2021, teaches courses in systematic theology and the history of Christianity. She holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto and a Master of Theological Studies in Biblical Studies and a Master of Theology in Philosophical Theology from Calvin Theological Seminary. Passionate about equipping students for Christ-centered living, she enjoys engaging with Dordt students both in and out of the classroom.
Her undergraduate commencement address, titled “Joyful Resistance,” will explore themes from Psalm 27:13 (“Seeing the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”) and Romans 12:2 (“Being transformed by God”). She plans to focus on how Dordt has trained students to bear witness to the light and hope of Christ, joyfully resisting all that mars and harms God’s creation.
“Part of bearing light is being able to name the darkness and know how—specifically, not just generically—Christ’s light shines or can shine in those places to bring renewal and restoration,” says Doornbos. “I hope our graduates leave Dordt equipped to do this, and that they continue to grow in their ability to walk with Christ and with others.”
Doornbos considers the students to be the best part of her work at Dordt. “Working with them fills my days with joy, laughter, and so much meaning,” she shares. “I love getting to know my students and walking with them as they discover how their gifts can be used for God’s kingdom.” She also appreciates the support and insights of her colleagues, who have profoundly shaped her teaching and scholarship.
As graduates prepare to leave Dordt and pursue their callings, Doornbos hopes they have built strong friendships that will sustain them through life’s joys and challenges. “I hope they’ve learned how to make great friends who will walk alongside them,” she says. “And I hope they leave with a strong foundation to build upon as they continue their journey of discipleship.”
Dordt University's undergraduate commencement ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of graduating students as they complete their undergraduate studies. The worship ceremony features a faculty procession in full regalia, a commencement speech delivered by a respected Dordt community member, thanksgiving for God's work in the lives of our students, and the conferral of diplomas to graduates. A lunch reception will be held after the event.
For more information about Dordt University’s undergraduate commencement, visit dordt.edu/events/commencement.
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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