Bethany Theological Seminary celebrates 100th commencement.

Bethany Theological Seminary celebrated its 100th commencement on May 7 in Richmond, Ind. A ceremony for conferring degrees was held at Bethany's Nicarry Chapel and a worship celebration at Richmond Church of the Brethren.

President Eugene Roop welcomed graduates, family, and friends to the noteworthy commencement. "Please know that as you carry Bethany with you, you have affected Bethany whether that influence be obvious or subtle," he told the graduates. "You join a century-long company of students who have shaped as well as been shaped by Bethany."

Fumitaka Matsuoka spoke at the degrees ceremony, encouraging graduates to ask the question, "How do I live out God's vision?" Matsuoka is professor of Theology and executive director of the Institute for Leadership Development and Study of Pacific and Asian North American Religion at Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif, and a 1969 Bethany graduate. He served as academic dean at Bethany from 1987-92. His address, "An Unmasking Experience," was based on Isaiah 6:1-9.

During the ceremony, faculty accomplishments of the past year were noted including the Rohrer Book Award received by Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm for "Believing in Preaching: What Listeners Hear in Sermons" (Chalice Press), which she co-authored; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary to be received by Jonathan Shively on June 11. His dissertation is titled, "Anabaptist and Pietist Foundations for Urban Multicultural Leadership."

Tara Hornbacker gave the message, "Against the Flow," for the worship celebration. She asked graduates to take a fresh look at Romans 12:9-21. "We have at times in our history focused on truncated versions of the Gospel--stopped at the ‘be not conformed' part--without the rest of the story," she said. "The scripture reminds us that transformation has its origin and its goal in God."

Ten students received Master of Divinity degrees: Ann M. Bach of Richmond, Ind.; Kay E. Gaier of North Manchester, Ind.; Evan Benjamin Garber of Weyers Cave, Va.; Tracy Ann Knechel of Dayton, Ohio; Connie M. Maclay of Mapleton Depot, Pa.; Todd Reish of Richmond, Ind.; James Kent Risser of Lewiston, Minn.; Pearl Rebecca Rohrer of Richmond, Ind.; John Sgro of Decatur, Ind.; and James Zerfing of Lancaster, Pa. Risser is Bethany's first graduate to receive both of the seminary's degree emphases of Peace Studies and Ministry with Youth and Young Adults. Maclay was awarded distinction in Biblical Studies. Knechel and Gaier were awarded distinction in Ministry Studies.

Two students received Master of Arts in Theology degrees: Deborah E. Romary of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Lutricia L. Zerfing of New Paris, Ohio. Jon Keller of Greenville, Ohio, received a Certificate of Achievement in Theological Studies.

Source: 05/25/2005 Newsline
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