The 2001 Tonganoxie High School graduate will have another opportunity at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Tonganoxie Junior High School, as the featured speaker for this year’s baccalaureate ceremony.

A senior at Manhattan Christian College, Rodell is finishing his degree this semester in pastoral ministries at MCC. Each Sunday, Rodell also preaches at a church in Nortonville, and this summer, he’ll be at an internship at a church in Arizona.

Saturday will provide Rodell with yet another chance to deliver a message.

“One of the things I thoroughly enjoy is to share or preach in those situations,” Rodell said. “There’s a great opportunity there. And there’s going to be a lot of students who will be present.”

One of those students will be Rodell’s younger brother, Kirk, who will be among members of the Class of 2005 who will graduate Saturday evening in ceremonies at Beatty Field.

“It’s really exciting,” Rodell said. “I’m really looking forward to it to say the least.”

While at MCC, Rodell played soccer for the Crusaders in the fall all four years. And next spring, he’ll be on track to earn a degree from Kansas State University with a major in family studies and a minor in business administration.

At the baccalaureate ceremony, Rodell hopes he can leave the Class of 2005 with some words of wisdom as they prepare for college and careers.

“It’s a huge privilege and opportunity, and I was very willing to accept it,” Rodell said.