Cornerstone University Announces Coach Kim Elders as Commencement Speaker
For more than three decades, Kim Elders, head coach of the Golden Eagles Men’s Basketball program, has invested his life in students at Cornerstone University through leadership marked by award-winning excellence, faith, and service. On May 9, he will address graduates and their families as the speaker for Cornerstone University’s Commencement ceremony, celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2026.
Elders recently reached a historic milestone with his 800th career win at Cornerstone University. During his tenure, he has guided the Golden Eagles Men’s Basketball program to three national championships and multiple Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) regular-season and tournament titles, establishing a program that has consistently competed at a level comparable with nationally recognized peers. His leadership has earned long-standing respect across collegiate athletics in West Michigan and throughout the broader intercollegiate landscape. Elders became an NAIA Hall of Fame inductee in 2019.
“For decades, Coach Elders has been a respected leader both within Cornerstone University and across collegiate athletics in West Michigan and beyond,” said President Gerson Moreno-Riaño. “He is widely recognized for the consistency, humility, and moral clarity he brings to leadership — modeling precisely the kind of Christ-centered leadership Cornerstone seeks to affirm as graduates step into positions of responsibility that will influence the world for Jesus Christ.”
Commencement 2026 takes place as Cornerstone marks 85 years since its founding in 1941 as the Bible Baptist Institute in Grand Rapids, and is part of a year-long university-wide celebration of America’s 250th Super Centennial. This milestone year reflects the university’s enduring Christ-centered, gospel-first mission and its place within the broader influence of Christianity on America’s foundations, values, history, and flourishing.
A lifelong West Michigan resident, Elders’ passion for leadership began early through his involvement in multiple sports and took root during his high school years. Before entering collegiate athletics, Elders spent 13 years teaching elementary school, an experience that deeply influenced his approach to mentorship, patience, and long-term impact, as did a spiritual transformation at age 20. In 1990, he joined Cornerstone, beginning a coaching career that would become synonymous with both competitive excellence and Christ-centered leadership. Elders has mentored more than 300 collegiate student-athletes and served as a staff leader on international service trips.
Kim married his wife, Holly, in 2004 and has four stepchildren — Nic, Zac, Cam, and Missy — along with 11 grandchildren.
“I’m humbled and honored to be chosen to speak at this year’s commencement,” Elders said. “I’m looking forward to celebrating with the Class of 2026 and encouraging our graduates to apply Biblical truth, knowledge and wisdom to make a positive impact in the world for Jesus Christ.”
Commencement will take place on Saturday, May 9, at 10 a.m. on the Cornerstone University campus in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The ceremony will celebrate graduates from undergraduate, graduate, online, SOAR™, and seminary programs.
More information about Commencement, including ceremony details and livestream access, is available on the university’s Commencement webpage.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
