On Friday, May 9, the University of the South in its 168th year will hold a Convocation for the Conferring of Degrees from the School of Theology. The convocation will be held at 10 a.m. in All Saints’ Chapel. The seminary will graduate 31 students receiving varying diplomas, certificates, and degrees from Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen. 

Join the livestream

 

Honorary Degrees

The Rt. Rev. Anne B. Jolly, T’13, the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, will deliver the sermon and receive an honorary doctor of divinity degree. Also receiving honorary doctor of divinity degrees are the Rt. Rev. Brian K. Burgess, T’99, the 12th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield; the Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson, the 11th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri; the Rt. Rev. Mark Van Koevering, the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Lexington; and the Rt. Rev. Ruth Woodliff-Stanley, the 15th bishop of the Diocese of South Carolina.

 
2025 Graduates of the School of Theology

 

Certificate of Theological Studies 

Jason Ruiz-Swartz, Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

 

Diploma of Anglican Studies

Christopher Paul Hilton, Diocese of Texas

Keith N. Johnson, Jr., Diocese of West Missouri

Ivan Ruiz-Swartz, Diocese of Central Pennsylvania

John M. Wakefield, The Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

 

Doctor of Ministry

Jane-Allison Elaine Wiggin

 

Master in Sacred Theology

Carl Millard Saxton, II

 

Master of Arts

Pressley Ryan Dailey 

Dickerman Hollister Jr.

Jonah Kiprono Kogo

Derek Lofing

Dan Alinsfe Mazimbo

Baird Mponda

Bernard Nduwayo

Benjamin Elias Nyamweru


Master of Divinity

Adam Conley, Diocese of Olympia 

Anna Kristina Hodge, Diocese of Southwest Florida 

Ryan Lockwood, Diocese of East Tennessee 

Nolan McBride, Diocese of Northern Indiana 

Sara Miller-Schulte, Diocese of Western Louisiana 

Kelly Ramer Moody, Diocese of Olympia 

Louis-Patrick Mua, Diocese of North Carolina

Rebecca Paluzzi, Diocese of East Tennessee

Erin Keakealani Richardson-Severin, Diocese of Hawaii 

McKenzi Roberson, Diocese of Olympia

Matthew Roney, Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes

Edward L. Smith, Diocese of North Carolina 

Jocelyn Snider, Diocese of Montana 

Roger Speer, Diocese of Georgia

Michael Sturdy, Diocese of Texas

Jordan Andrew Trendelman, Diocese of Northern Indiana

 
Senior Prizes, Awards, and Recognition

The School of Theology holds several events leading up to commencement, including the semester’s final Principal Eucharist and community lunch held in Cravens Hall during which senior prizes and awards are presented. This year the dean of the School of Theology, the Very Rev. Dr. James F. Turrell, recognized outstanding achievements by graduating seniors and presented senior prizes. Dean Turrell began by recognizing seminarians who have served the School in various ways during this past year.

  • Student Body President—Kelly Moody
  • Senior Class Representative—Matthew Roney

Turrell additionally recognized sacristans who have a central role, often unheralded, in the worship life of the seminary community. Members of the senior class who served as sacristans this academic year are:

  • Jordan Trendelman, Head Sacristan
  • Kelly Moody
  • Edward Smith
  • McKenzi Roberson

 

Awards previously presented to graduating seminarians

Woods Leadership Award: The Woods Leadership Award is presented to a member of the Middler Class who has most successfully taken the initiative in assuming a leadership role in the class. Roger Speer was recognized with the Woods Leadership Award in the fall of 2023.

Freeman Award for Merit: The Freeman Award for Merit was established by the Rev. Reed H. Freeman and his wife Nancy. It is awarded to a rising Middler who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and promise in the junior year. Michael Sturdy was recognized with the Woods Leadership Award in the fall of 2023.

William A. Griffin Scholar for Study in the Holy Land: The William A. Griffin Scholarships are given each year to enable students to study in the Holy Land. The fund was established to celebrate the ministry of William A. Griffin, former professor of Old Testament at the School of Theology from 1959 to 1988, and was endowed by Professor Griffin’s wife, Anne Griffin, and her daughter, Shore Griffin, and other donors. 

  • Matthew Roney
  • Michael Sturdy
  • Ryan Lockwood

Senior Prizes

  • The School of Theology Prize in Biblical Studies—Kelly Moody
  • The School of Theology Prize in Theology and Ethics—Erin Keakealani Richardon-Severin
  • The School of Theology Prize in Historical Studies—Charles Gerald Martin
  • The School of Theology Prize in Practical Theology—Kelly Moody
  • The School of Theology Prize in Community Service—Jordan Trendelman

The Annual Episcopal Preaching Foundation Award: The Annual Episcopal Preaching Foundation Award is bestowed upon the individual who, in the estimation of the dean and faculty, has demonstrated excellence in preaching. This award is sponsored annually by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation and was awarded this year to Ryan Lockwood.

The Gessell Fellowship in Social Ethics: The Gessell Fellowship in Social Ethics was established in 2004 by the Rev. Dr. John M. Gessell, professor emeritus of the School of Theology, to support student research and practice in the discipline of social ethics and theory. The Gessell Fellowship was awarded to Roger Speer.

 

 

Please join the School of Theology in celebrating and saying farewell to our graduates, many of whom have been active members of the seminary and larger plateau community for the last three years. The service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend.  Join the livestream here.