Featuring the recognition of 2026 Licensing School graduates, 2026 Course of Study graduates, 2026 retirees, and newly certified lay pulpit supply and ministers. The Passing the Mantle ceremony in which a 2026 retiree passes the mantle of spiritual leadership to a member of the 2026 commissioning class also takes place within this service.

Preacher: Dr. Roger Drake, President of Central Methodist University

ABOUT DR. ROGER DRAKE

Dr. Roger D. Drake is the 26th President of Central Methodist University. Prior to joining CMU in 2013, he served for nine years as Vice President of Administration and Finance at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky, and also held the position of Vice President for Business Affairs at Lees College in Jackson, Kentucky.

Since arriving at CMU, Dr. Drake has served in numerous leadership roles, including chair of the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s Council of Presidents, chair of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Missouri, secretary for the Missouri Colleges Fund, Program Chair and 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Schools and Colleges of The United Methodist Church and as a member of the teaching faculty for the Council of Independent College’s New Presidents Program. He has also served the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges in multiple roles and the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities Business Officers.

Dr. Drake attended Lees Junior College in Jackson, Kentucky, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Kentucky University and holds a Master of Business Administration/Executive MBA degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. His Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree is also from Vanderbilt University.