Duke Divinity School celebrated its 98th Baccalaureate Service on Saturday, May 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Duke University Chapel, with Dr. Patrick Smith, associate research professor of theological ethics and bioethics, preaching, and Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric presiding.
A total of 180 Duke Divinity School students were awarded degrees as follows: Master of Divinity, 96; Doctor of Ministry, 26; Master of Theological Studies, 26; Master of Arts in Christian Practice, 15; Master of Theology, 12; and Doctor of Theology, 5.
Preaching on Philippians 4:4–7, Smith said, "As you go from this place to serve the Lord, let your gentleness, patience, forbearance, and kindness be shown to all."
Smith encouraged the graduates to stay prayerful and to be willing to show concern and mercy to others because of the Gospel of grace that they have been given.
He preached, "Jesus exercised gentle forbearance with us before we were rightly related with him. It is because of God's work in Christ on our behalf that we can do the same for others.
"As you leave from this space and write the next chapter of your story, it is God's peace that can guard your hearts that I pray is yours. Let us never get so sophisticated in our understanding of Christian ministry that we lose sight of joy as our fundamental driving force." Watch the service.
Dean Colón-Emeric also announced the student recipients of several academic awards for the 2023-24 academic year during the 98th Closing Convocation on April 18. The worship service was 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.
Castelo preached, "We have tried to sustain at Duke Divinity School all of its formative dimensions, including the spiritual, the intellectual, the relational, and the professional, as a means to build up the body of Christ. Each one of us is weak and strong in different ways. That is why we have been called to love one another. That is why we call ourselves the body of Christ. Use what you have gained here for the good of the whole, the whole of which we are all a part."
The academic awards and this year's recipients were:
- Award for Excellence in Bible — William Paul Wines Sharkey (Old Testament) and Katherine Jane Bracy Limkeman (New Testament)
- Award for Outstanding Student in Theology — Joseph Neil Reigle
- Award for Excellence in Worship and Liturgical Leadership — Leah Benn Miller
- Frederick Buechner Writing Award — Jaime Steiert McGlothlin and Vivian Grace Saxon
- Richard P. Heitzenrater Award for Excellence in History — Andrew Raines (D '25)
- Seminarian Award of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts — Leah Benn Miller
- Hoyt Hickman Award for Excellence in Liturgics — Patrice Elizabeth Turner
- Harry Hosier Spirit Award — Takudzwa Chikepe
- Jameson Jones Preaching Award — Beth Regena Glenn and Katherine Christine Mangum
- McMurry Richey Awards — Emily Lynn Stambaugh (Field Education), Britt Anliza Taylor (Missions), and Evan A. Smith (Student Pastor)
Portraits of Graduating Students
Our graduating students have come to Duke Divinity from a variety of communities and faith traditions to prepare for a wide range of ministries.
The Divinity School graduates also celebrated their accomplishments with the school tradition of the Graduate Cross Service on Tuesday, April 16 for residential students and on Friday, May 10 for the first annual hybrid student Graduate Cross Service.
At both services, the Rev. Dr. Laceye Warner, Royce and Jane Reynolds Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies and Associate Dean for Wesleyan Engagement and Hybrid Programs, preached with Chaplain Meghan Benson presiding.
Warner preached on the meaning of the clear cross presented to each student during the service.
Said Warner, “The cross reminds us of God’s love and mercy offered to each of us and all of creation.
“One can manage to leave this place having collected a vast amount of knowledge, however, without the Triune God and without relationships with one another and all of creation, that knowledge will lose its purpose.
“The Triune God is redeeming all things through the cross. When you look through your glass cross may you see the world through God’s eyes.”
Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric presides over communion at Closing Convocation.
Students pose with clear glass crosses at the Graduate Cross Service for hybrid students.
Faculty seated in Duke Chapel during the Baccalaureate Service.
Students lead worship during the Closing Convocation Service in Duke Chapel.
Students receive crosses at the Graduate Cross Service for residential students.
Graduates celebrating before the Baccalaureate Service.
Students pose at the Graduate Cross Service for hybrid students.
Students pose with clear crosses at the Graduate Cross Service for residential students.
Students celebrate after the Baccalaureate Service.
Hybrid students pose at the Graduate Cross Service.