Bethany Seminary celebrates ninety-ninth commencement

On Saturday May 8, Bethany Theological Seminary, Richmond, Ind., celebrated her ninety-ninth commencement. Two observances marked the occasion: a ceremony for conferring degrees in Bethany's Nicarry Chapel, and a public worship celebration held in Stout Meetinghouse on the adjacent Earlham College campus.

John H. Gingrich, professor of Religion and Philosophy and dean emeritus at the University of La Verne, Calif., and chair of the Bethany Board of Trustees, gave an address at the conferring of degrees ceremony on the topic "High Hopes," based on a biblical text of Isaiah 65:17-25. Russell Haitch, Bethany's assistant professor of Christian Education and director of the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults, was the speaker for the afternoon worship service. His message, "You are the Light of the World," was based on Matthew 5:11-16.

Eleven students received Master of Divinity degrees, one with an Emphasis in Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. Six students received Master of Arts in Theology degrees, four with an emphasis in Peace Studies.Those who received degrees are:

Master of Divinity, with an emphasis in Ministry With Youth and Young Adults: Noel S. Naff, of Tryon, North Carolina.

Master of Divinity: Jeremy Ashworth, of Fort Wayne, Ind., with Distinction in Ministry Studies; B. Elizabeth Cox, of Waynesboro, Pa.; William House, of New Castle, Ind.; Paul Liepelt, of Madison, Conn.; Patricia L. Meeks, of Greenville, Ohio; Brian P. Messler, of Baltimore, Md.; Ever Mudambanuki, of Zimbabwe; Mbode Ndirmbita, of Nigeria; Andrew Sampson, of Forest, Ohio; and Richard Yeager-Stiver, of Marion, Ohio.

Master of Arts in Theology, with a Peace Studies Emphasis: Thomas Coursen, of Richmond, Ind.; Leslie Ann Billhimer Frye, of McPherson, Kan., with Distinction in Theological and Historical Studies and her thesis work; Mark Godfrey, of McPherson, Kan.; and Holly White, of North Hampton, Ohio, with Distinction in Theological and Historical Studies.

Master of Arts in Theology: Joshua Brockway, of North Canton, Ohio; Kathryn S. Eisenbise, of Elizabethtown, Pa., with Distinction in Biblical Languages.

Graduates' future endeavors include careers in pastoral and congregational ministry, teaching, and additional graduate study. Bethany Theological Seminary was founded in 1905 and is the graduate school and academy for theological education for the Church of the Brethren.