Marshall Turman delivered the sermon.
Marshall Turman delivered the sermon.

Duke Divinity School celebrated its 90th Baccalaureate service May 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Duke Chapel with Eboni Marshall Turman, assistant research professor of theological ethics and black church studies and the director of the Office of Black Church Studies at the school, preaching.

The next day, Duke University awarded undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees during its annual commencement ceremony in Wallace Wade Stadium. (See a video of the commencement.)

A total of 172 Duke Divinity School students were awarded degrees: Master of Arts in Christian Studies, 9; Master of Divinity, 122; Master of Theology, 10; Master of Theological Studies, 20; Doctor of Ministry, 8; and Doctor of Theology, 3. The worship service included the traditional ritual of hooding for degree recipients.

The Divinity School also has announced the recipients of the 2016 awards to graduates:

Students are cheered by faculty members.
Students are cheered by faculty and staff before the service.
  • Christopher Lee Redmon received the Award for Excellence in Bible
  • Susannah Jeanette Long earned the Frederick Buechner Writing Award
  • Philip DeBlaey Jackson received the Richard P. Heitzenrater Award for Excellence in History
  • Molly Ann Shoulta earned the Hoyt Hickman Award for Excellence in Liturgics
  • Lara Elena Musser Gritter won the Jameson Jones Preaching Award
  • Dorothy N. Clark and Ryan Scott LaRock received the McMurry Richey Awards for Field Education
  • Madeline Paige Watts received the McMurry Richey Award for Missions
  • Susannah Jeanette Long received the Seminarian Award of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts
  • Molly Brock White earned the John Harrison Ness Memorial Award of the General Commission on Archives and History of the United Methodist Church
  • Mycal Xavier Brickhouse received the Julian Abele Student of the Year Award from the Duke University Black Graduate and Professional Student Association

Baccalaureate Video