Graceland Announces Ron Harmon Jr. as Fall Commencement Speaker

Ron Harmon will address Graceland’s graduates at its Fall 2022 commencement ceremony on Saturday, December 17, in Independence, Mo. 

Harmon attended Graceland’s Lamoni, Ia. campus before transferring to Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he received a Bachelor of Science in business administration. He went on to work in several executive human resources and operations positions in healthcare, consulting, and financial services before transitioning to Graceland as the vice president of administrative services, where he focused on Lamoni and Independence campus operations. Harmon also holds a master of arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. 

Harmon moved on from Graceland to work for its sponsoring church, Community of Christ, in many different roles, including: the North East USA Mission Field, East Central USA Mission Field and Director of Leadership Development Ministries, Spectacular and International Youth Forum, Urban Ministries, and president of the Kentucky-Indiana USA Mission Center. While serving the church, Harmon graduated from the Community of Christ Seminary at Graceland University with a master of arts in religion.  

Now, in his current role as the president of the council of twelve apostles, Harmon works with other church leadership to contextualize their vision and mission around the world. When asked about getting to speak at this year’s fall commencement, Harmon said, “What is exciting for me is the opportunity to speak with our next generation of leaders. There is little I know about the future, but the one thing I do know is that we will not have a future without one another.” 

“We are thrilled to have Ron as our commencement speaker this year,” said Graceland President Patricia H. Draves. “He brings a unique perspective, and I look forward to the wisdom he will share with our graduates from the School of Nursing, Seminary, and our other graduate programs based on our Independence campus.”