Academic Symbols
The academic symbols in evidence at today’s ceremony reflect the continuity and strengths of higher education in our culture. Many of the traditions surrounding academic ceremonies, such as inaugurations and commencement, are rooted in the customs of the Middle Ages when universities were first formed. Four symbols – the academic regalia, the key, the mace and the presidential medallion – evident in today’s ceremony.
Academic Regalia
Perhaps the most visually memorable part of a presidential inauguration is the academic procession in which the spectacle of robes, hoods, hats and tassels represents the rich diversity of higher education around the world. Gowns and mortar boards were a common form of dress in medieval times when classrooms were unheated and the academic gowns and hoods kept the scholars warm. It became a distinctive symbol of academic pursuit, setting the academic apart from the non-academic. Prior to the Civil War, most American college and university students wore the gown daily during their entire term of study. The gown only became standardized in 1894 when the American Intercollegiate Commission determined that all robes would be black.
The Marshall's Key
The key was handed down from the Crozer Theological Seminary. It is carried during formal ceremonies such as Inauguration and Commencement.
The Mace
Maces were war clubs used during the Middle Ages as weapons of last resort by military officers. The mace later became a traditional symbol of protection and evolved into use as a longer walking stick. Within the university, the mace was adopted as a symbol of the power of the academic quest for truth and wisdom. It was carried in academic processions not only to bring authority to ceremonial occasions, but also to emphasize the unity and aspirations of the collegial community. CRCDS ceremonial mace is a gift from the Sauvé Loriot family to honor the 200th Anniversary of CRCDS and the graduation of the second member of their family in the class of 2020. The mace is made from hand-carved white oak discovered at the former campus at 1100 S. Goodman, which was signed by F. Hunt and dated May 1931. Alan Estabrook and Eugene P. Loriot crafted the mace.
The Presidential Medallion
The presidential medallion and chain of office symbolize the authority vested in the office of the president by the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School Board of Trustees. Yet another academic tradition that originated from medieval regalia, the display of the heavy chain symbolizes the weight of responsibility for the wearer, strength in unity and strong communication.
Hooding Ceremony Service
The asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand if you are able.
Prelude
*Processional
Invocation
Rev. Dr. Michael J. Ford, CRCDS ‘12 Chair, Board of Trustees
*Hymn # 400 - Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Welcome
Rev. Melanie Duguid-May, Ph.D. Interim Dean of Faculty Professor of Theology
Presidential Remarks
Rev. Angela D. Sims, Ph.D. President
Scripture Reading - Proverbs 16: 1 – 33, NRSV
Reflections
Rev. Beverly Murrell-Frasier, CRCDS ’20, GCSP
Rev. Jennifer A. Lessard, CRCDS ’20, MDIV
*Hymn #451 – Be Thou My Vision
Presentation of Stoles
Graduate Certificate Studies Program & School for Christian Leadership
Rev. Beverly Murrell-Frasier CRCDS '20, GCSP
Minister Timothy Brown CRCDS '21, SCL
Presentation of the Academic Hoods
Master of Divinity & Master of Arts
Rev. Myra Brown CRCDS '20, MA
Chaplain Olivene N. Brown CRCDS '20, MA
Rev. RAin Christi CRCDS '20, MA
Rev. Jarmani D. Dozier CRCDS '20, MA
Rev. Sonexay Chanthasone CRCDS '20, MDIV
Rev. Jennifer A. Lessard CRCDS '20, MDIV
Rev. Sue E. Ouellete CRCDS '20, MDIV
Rev. Katelynn Roffo CRCDS '20, MDIV
Rev. Keisha M. Stokes CRCDS '20, MDIV
Rev. Lynda J. Myers CRCDS '21, MDIV
Deacon Patricia Blaine CRCDS '22, MA
Certificate in Anglican Studies
Doctor of Ministry
Rev. Dr. Jay S. Gardner CRCDS '20, DMIN
Rev. Dr. Michael Sloan CRCDS '20, DMIN
Prayer for the Ministry of the Church
Rev. Cynthia M. Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Public Theology and Eco-Justice
Director of the Program for Anglican Studies
*Hymn #154 – All Hail The Power of Jesus’ Name
*Benediction
Kishundra D. King, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology
Director of Black Religious Thought and Life
*Doxology
*Recessional Postlude
Governing Trustees
Rev. Dr. Stephen M. Cady, II
Rev. Dr. Michael J. Ford (CRCDS '12) - Chair
Mr. George Hamlin IV
The Rt. Rev. Stephen T. Lane (CRDS '78)
Dr. Carey C. Newman
Mr. Patrick R. ("Ricky") Pearce, Jr.
Rev. Thomas G. Poole, Ph.D. (CRDS ‘77) – Vice-Chair
Rev. Karen Rucks-Walker, Th.D.
Rev. Cheryl L. Price, Ph.D. (CRDS ‘85) – Secretary
Rev. Paul Vick (CRDS ‘71)
Kristin F. Zimar, Esq
Life Trustees
Rev. Margaret Cowden, Ph.D.
Rev. Larry W. Dobson (CTS ‘65)
Ms. Mary Ann Geib (CRDS ’64)
Mr. Preston T. Henderson
Mr. Jay T. Holmes
Mr. Jack F. Kraushaar
Ms. Gloria M. Langston
Annie Marie LeBarbour, Ph.D.
Mr. Jerry W. Ligon
Rev. J. Wendall Mapson
Dr. James G. Miller
Ms. Virginia S. Pacala
Mr. Thomas S. Richards
Ms. Dorothy R. Tasker
Dr. Brian J. Thompson
Mr. Thomas A. Tupitza
Rev. Frank D. Tyson (CTS ’69)
Rev. Dr. W. Kenneth Williams (CRDS ‘76)
CRCDS Community
Rev. Angela D. Sims, Ph.D.
President
Executive Leadership Team
Rev. Paula Blue
Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Chief Operating Officer
Rev. Melanie A. Duguid-May, Ph.D.
Interim Dean of Faculty
Professor of Theology
Kara C. Gilliard
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Courtney Wiley-Harris, D.Min.
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Faculty
Jin Young Choi, Ph.D.
Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins, Baptist Missionary Training School Professorial Chair in Biblical Studies
Kishundra D. King, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Black Religious Life and Thought
Rev. Cindy Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Director of the Program for Anglican Studies
Hilary Jerome Scarsella, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Ethics
Director Gender, Sexual and Racial Justice
Rev. Shazetta Thompson-Hill, D.Min.
Faculty Affiliate
Director of Strategic Planning
Faculty Emeritus
Rev. Dr. H. Darrell Lance Professor of Old Testament 1965-1993
Rev. Gail A. Ricciuti, D.D. Associate Professor of Homiletics 1998-2016
Rev. John R. Tyson, Ph.D. Professor of Church History & Director of Methodist Studies 2012-2022
Staff
Polly Bush Director of Financial Aid and Enrollment Services
Lydia Crim
Executive Administrator to the President and Office Manager
Patricia Finnerty Reference Librarian
Angelina Hoppough Staff Accountant
Qhamora Kimbrough
Registrar and Coordinator of Financial Aid
Rev. Jacqueline J. Nelson Director for Student Support Services and Coordinator for Spiritual Care
David Riddell
Senior Director of Advancement & Communications
Rev. Damond A. Wilson (CRCDS ’19) Director of Recruitment and Alumni/ae Engagement
We celebrate and honor the graduates of the Classes of 2020, 2021, 2022. some who were not able to be present with us today:
Class of 2020
Rev. Dr. Stephen York DMIN..change to DMin.
Rev. Dr. Clarence Wright DMIN
Rev. Dr. Melissa Morral DMIN
Rev. Dr. Lori Keller Burns DMIN
Rev. Michelle Allen MDIV change to MDiv.
Mr. Samuel Loriot MA
Mr. Zachary Stahlsmith MDIV
The Rt. Rev. Ian Adkins MA
Rev. Susan Frost MDIV
Rev. Dr. Lenore Hosier DMIN
Rev. Dr. Jamie Eaddy Chism DMIN
Rev. Dr. Daniel Shull DMIN
Rev. Dr. Kevin Williams DMIN
Class of 2021
Rev. Dr. Nancy Meehan Yao DMIN
Ms. Zhongya Shao MA
Rev. Dr. Randall McCaskill DMIN
Rev. Dr. Lewis J. Dixon DMIN
Rev. Dr. Marco McNeil DMIN
Mr. Gregory Kremer GCSP
Mr. James Jufer MA
Mr. Kieran Andrews SCL
Rev. Dr. Michael Rogers DMIN
Rev. Dr. Carolyn Peeler DMIN
Rev. Dr. JaCon Washington DMIN
Class of 2022
Rev. Dr. Diane Bogues DMIN
Rev. Dr. Christopher McKee DMIN
Rev. David J Martin DMIN
Ms. Jennifer K. Piatt MDIV
Rev. Dr. Shiela McCullough DMIN
Mr. Roch Gerard Whitman SCL
Please join us after today’s ceremony in The Gathering Center located outside the sanctuary for a light reception, fellowship, and photos.
Special Thanks
Thank you to Rev. Dr. Stephen Cady, II and the people of Asbury First United Methodist Church for their hospitality.
Today’s Ceremony
Today’s ceremony was recorded and will be available for viewing at www.crcds.edu/on-demand
Class of 2023 Commencement Events
We invite you to celebrate the members of the Class of 2023!
The CRCDS Baccalaureate Service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 6:00 pm. Commencement will be held the following day on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 12:00 pm. Both services will be held at Asbury First United Methodist Church.
CRCDS is honored to welcome the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey, Associate Provost of Campus Equity and Inclusion at Drake University, as the 2023 commencement speaker.
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Harvey is an award-winning author, educator and public speaker. Her work focuses on ethics and race, gender, sexuality, activism, spirituality, and politics with particular attention to how religion shows up in these dimensions of our shared social life. Her greatest passion and longtime work, however, persistently, and pointedly return to racial justice and white anti-racism.
Dr. Harvey publishes in numerous academic and public outlets. Her essay Are We Raising Racists? spent nearly a week on the New York Times “ten most read pieces” list. She has written for CNN, Huffington Post, Sojourners on-line, The Conversation and countless other venues.
