Duke Divinity School celebrated its 99^th Baccalaureate Service on Saturday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m. in Duke University Chapel, with Jerusha Matsen Neal, assistant professor of homiletics, preaching, and Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric presiding.

A total of 201 Duke Divinity School students were awarded degrees as follows: Master of Divinity, 119; Doctor of Ministry, 20; Master of Theological Studies, 24; Master of Arts in Christian Practice, 16; Master of Theology, 16; and Doctor of Theology, 6. This year's graduates also included the first class of graduating Hybrid M.Div. students.

Preaching on John 10:22-30, Neal reflected on the question that Jesus is asked: "Are you the Messiah?" 

That question, she said, isn't answered in a vacuum or by a diploma. It may even still be a lingering question or doubt for graduating students. 

Jesus probably won't hold it against you if so, said Neal, "But he calls you, all the same. 'Follow me, even when you don’t see how the story ends.'  Because your witness matters more than you know."

Our Shepherd does more than lead, she said, our Shepherd follows with mercy and goodness. She recalled Psalm 23 and "the call of the Shepherd that leads and the footfall of the Shepherd that follows after."

"Let this be our witness. Even when we can’t see. Even when we’re not sure. Even when the cost of following seems more than we can pay," she said. 

"Even when we fall short or fall away. Even when thieves and wolves and hired hands strike the flock. Even when they strike the Shepherd. God’s goodness follows, steadfast. All the days of our lives. And all the way home." Watch the service.

The Divinity School graduates also celebrated their accomplishments through special services like Closing Convocation and the Graduate Cross service, and a ceremony to honor student recipients of academic awards. 

The 99^th Closing Convocation Service was held on April 10 and live-streamed on YouTube from Duke Chapel. 

Dr. Daniel Castelo, associate dean for academic formation and William Kellon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies, preached the sermon at the service with Dean Colón-Emeric presiding.

During the service, Castelo urged students to enter into the suffering of others, never ceasing to identify with those they will serve.

He preached, "When we engage in a holy solidarity with others, their struggles become ours [...]The degree to which we can engage in faithful ministry in this way is the degree to which we will follow and demonstrate Christ in a deeply stratified world. This is good and important work."

A special awards reception was held on April 21 to announce the student recipients of several academic awards for the 2024-25 academic year. View the award winners.

During the residential Graduate Cross Service held on Tuesday, April 15, Curtis Freeman, Ruth D. Duncan Director of the Baptist House of Studies and research professor of theology and baptist studies, preached. 

Colin Yuckman, senior director of digital learning formation and director of the Presbyterian/Reformed House of Studies, preached during the service for the hybrid students on Friday, May 9.

"This year, the color is clear, which symbolizes the waters of baptism," said Chaplain Meghan Benson during the services. 

 

"If every time you look at these crosses, they simply remind you of the foundational baptismal commitments, that is enough," said Benson. 

 

"Because there are powers and principalities in our world that seek to charm us. And our baptism reminds us from the very first question, that there are forces that require resisting that evil. The liturgy is not naive. To the world that we sometimes face. Nor to the God that goes with us, and that whose story comes to life with us in baptism."