On Saturday, May 12, Seabury awarded eight Diplomas of Anglican Studies, three Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development Degrees, and one Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, at its 154th commencement held in the chapel of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America headquarters in Chicago.
Former Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Frank Tracy Griswold III and current adjunct faculty member of Seabury, preached at the ceremony. The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of Chicago and a Seabury trustee, presided.
Diplomas of Anglican Studies were awarded to Edward Torrence Bird, IV, Katherine Kanto Doyle, Jennifer Lynn Hulen, Frank S. Impicciche (in abstentia), Ethan Alexnder Jewett, Linnea Ruth Peterson Stifler, Keila Carpenter Thomas and Anthony Joseph Vaccaro.
Doctor of Ministry in Congregational Development degrees were awarded to Paul S. Nahirney, John R. Palarine and Thomas Andrew Thoeni. Their doctoral hoods were placed by the Rev. Ellen K. Wondra, academic dean.
The Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa was awarded to the Rt. Rev. Andrew Marion Lenow Dietsche (1987), Bishop Coadjutor of New York. Bishop Diane Bruce, who was originally scheduled to accept an honorary degree, was unable to attend due to illness.
Students, each of whom was congratulated by the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Wright, board chair, traveled to Seabury for the ceremony from Chicago, Indiana, Philadelphia, Michigan, Kentucky, New York, Florida and Canada.
The ceremony marked the last commencement for Interim President Dr. Robert G. Bottoms, who awarded the diplomas and degrees. He will be succeeded on July 1 by the Rev. Roger Albert Ferlo, Ph.D., D.D., who will be president of a federation that includes Seabury and Bexley Hall.
Learn more about the federation and President-elect Ferlo.
The Rt. Rev. An
drew Marion Lenow Dietsche, Bishop Coadjutor of New York, was awarded a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, at Saturday's commencement of Seabury Western at the ELCA Chapel in Chicago. Bishop Dietsche (far right side) is shown below with the Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, Bishop of Chicago; Dr. Robert G. Bottoms, Interim President of Bexley Hall Seabury Western; and the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Wright, Seabury's Board Chair. (P. Pearson photo)
Members of the Bexley Hall and Seabury faculty and adjunct faculty who were able to attend Saturday's Commencement at the ELCA Chapel in Chicago. Seated (l to r) are Beth Sheppard, Susan Harlow, Roger Ferlo (President Elect Bexley Hall Seabury Western Federation); standing (l to r) Joy Rogers, John Dally, Donna Ialongo, Ellen Wondra, Bob Bottoms, Frank Griswold, Milner Seifert, and Thomas Ferguson.
