Issuu

2020 - 2021

Commencement Celebration

Keiran W. Andrews

Timothy Brown

Gregory Kremer

School for Christian Leadership

Graduate Certificate Studies

Zhonya Shao

Lewis J. Dixon

Master of Arts

Doctor of Ministry

Nancy Ellen Meehan Yao

Carol Ann Peeler

Doctor of Ministry

James Jufer

Lynda Jean Myers

Master of Divinity

Randall E. McCaskill, Jr.

Marco D. McNeil

Doctor of Ministry

Michael Wesley Rogers

Dustin Berlack Sullivan

JaCon Canese Washington

Doctor of Ministry

On Saturday, May 22, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2021 on a virtual platform. A year ago, we would not have guessed that we would still have a need to gather our graduates, their family and our friends in this way but are however, grateful for technology and the ability to celebrate our graduates with excellence and out of an abundance of care and concern for the health and safety of us all. The graduates were honored in prayer, song, scripture and remembrances. The commencement address was delivered by The Very Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary. The Class of 2021 began their celebration weekend the day prior in their Baccalaureate services were they shared Holy Communion and reflected on their CRCDS experience. We wish them well in their ministry journey.

What Graduates are Saying CRCDS expanded my theology and challenged me to think critically. This prepared me for Clinical Pastoral Education. As a CPE educator I train chaplains to help create safe spaces that patients and families can talk about fears, family dynamics, and how faith may be impacting their crisis. As a director I challenge the system to become diverse and inclusive while practicing justice with the delivery of healthcare. I thank this community for helping me develop a prophetic voice. Christ as the ultimate Liberator wanted us to promote peace, service and justice.

Michael Wesley Rogers Doctor of Ministry During this journey of learning, reflection, and practice, CRCDS has strengthened and broadened my commitment to peace, service and justice in the church and in the world. By being exposed to diverse bodies of knowledge, authors, and viewpoints, I have grown in ways that were both welcomed and, at times, uncomfortable. CRCDS has given me tools for leadership in the church that help transform faith communities into “beloved community”: communities of reflection and action, of faith, hope, love and witness,

Nancy Ellen Meehan Yao Doctor of Ministry CRCDS provided me a certificate in Anglican Studies which was precisely what I needed. The richness of instruction around history, theology and mission was a tremendous experience for me. But more than education it was formative, with Dr. Cindy Rasmussen and Dr. Melanie Duguid-May. It confirmed my call to the priesthood. I am deeply thankful to CRCDS for providing the education and the formation.

Gregory Kremer Graduate Certificate Studies

Tuition Subscription Plan Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School announces its new Tuition Subscription Program. CRCDS is one of a few seminaries in the country, accredited by the Association of Theological Schools that offers this kind of tuition payment plan. Due to the generosity of our donors, any student enrolled in a graduate certificate or a degree program can participate in the $300 monthly tuition plan. Depending on the program, a student can take up to 4 or 6 courses a school year for $300/month! At CRCDS we understand that our students are mostly bi-vocational and second career and already engaged actively in ministry, juggling mortgages, childcare, and other priorities, or that some may already be at their federal aid loan limits. This program allows a student to include their tuition payment in their monthly budget. This program also has the potential to alleviate some of the burden of tuition costs that contributes to student debt. Rather than focusing on cost, the tuition subscription plan allows our students to concentrate on their theological journey.

Giving Circles CRCDS introduces the new Giving Circles Honor Roll society and invites you to renew your membership in our Annual Fund Honor Roll. We thank you all for your past donations to the Tower Society and welcome you to the CRCDS Giving Circles. The Annual Fund Honor Roll will be published in early summer, 2021 to reflect the generous donations of our alumni/ae and friends. Giving Circles categories were reorganized to reflect the core mission, vision and values of CRCDS. CRCDS recognizes the work of these theological giants of our history and thanks you for your generosity in honor of their legacy: Walter Rauschenbusch Circle

$50,000 +

New Giving Levels Presidents Circle

$100,000 +

Heritage Circle

$50,000 +

Peace, Service, Justice Circle

$25,000 +

Leadership Circle

$10,000 +

Advancement Circle

$5,000 +

Circle of Compassion

$2,500 +

Circle of Community

$1,000 +

Circle of Faith

$100 - 999

Circle of Hope

$1 - 99

Samuel Crozer Circle

$5,000 +

American Theologian and Baptist pastor who taught at Rochester Theological Seminary, considered the Father of the Social Gospel with his written work A Theology for the Social Gospel.

Founder of Crozer Theological Seminary. He was the son of John Price Crozer and Sallie Knowles Crozer (Philanthropic founders of Crozer Theological Seminary).

Martin Luther King Jr. Circle

Suzanne Rinck Armstrong

$25,000 +

$2,500 +

Crozer Seminary alum who earned the Nobel Peace Prize through his efforts to combat racial inequality through nonviolent resistance as a leader in the Civil Rights movement.

BMTS class of 1929, died in 1997. Her name was synonymous with BMTS. She came to the school as a student in 1927, graduated and stayed as a staff member.

Howard Thurman Circle

William Newton Clark

$10,000 +

Minister, educator, civil rights leader, 1926 Graduate of Rochester Theological Seminary.

$1,000 +

Baptist theologian and famed professor of Colgate Theological Seminary.

Join the list of donors who are making contributions to CRCDS in support of the “300/12/36” campaign. Donors can make a contribution of $10,800 that can be paid over a 3-year commitment with a recurring contribution option for 36 months. A gift of 300 a month for three years.

A Year in Review 2020 - 2021 Highlighting some of our many speakers, panelists, and events this year:

From Left to Right Row 1: Rev. Dr. Shiveley T. J. Smith; Dr. Choi Jin Young; Dr. Shazetta Thompson-Hill; Dr. Carey Newman; Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady, II Row 2: The Very Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas; Dr. Deborah J. Rogers; Dr. Angela D. Sims, Rev. AnneMarie Mingo, Dr. Marla Frederick; Row 3: Dr. Samuel L. Adams; Rev. Dr. Clarence Wright; Rev. Alex Patchin McNeil; Dr. Seanelle Hawkins; 2020 Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil Row 4: August 17, 2020 Convocation & Commencement; Rev. Dr. Karen Crozier; CRCDS Student Worship in the Baptist Tradition: Preacher, David Spiegel; Dr. Marielena Vélez de Brown; Worship at the Investiture Ceremony for Dr. Deborah J. Rogers

Looking Ahead August 16 September 27 - October 1

Convocation 2021 - 2022 Academic Year Fall Lecture Series