United Theological Seminary
Saturday, May 17 th Christian Life Center | Dayton, Ohio
Please turn off all cell phones and other devices which may disturb the ability of others to participate prayerfully in the liturgy. The asterisk (*) indicates that you are invited to stand for that portion of the liturgy.
PRELUDE Oakwood Brass
*THE ACADEMIC PROCESSIONAL
*OPENING SENTENCES Dr. Tesia Mallory, Dean of the Chapel
LEADER: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ALL: And also with you.
The risen Christ is with us.
Praise be to God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Alleluia! Amen!
*HYMN Crown Him with Many Crowns
Verse 1
Crown him with many crowns, the Lamb upon his throne, Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own. Awake, my soul, and sing of him who died for thee, and hail him as thy matchless King through all eternity.
Verse 2
Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave, and rose victorious in the strife for those he came to save. His glories now we sing, who died, and rose on high, who died, eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.
*OPENING COLLECT
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us pray.
Verse 3
Crown him the Lord of peace, whose power a scepter sways from pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise. His reign shall know no end, and round his pierced feet fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.
Verse 4
Crown him the Lord of love; behold his hands and side, those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified. All hail, Redeemer, hail! For thou hast died for me; thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.
Dr. Elvin Sadler, Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies
Almighty God, you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son. We pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
GREETINGS AND WELCOME
LESSON FOR THE DAY
Dr. Kent Millard, President
Colossians 1:9-14
Tracy Winters, Master's Graduate
INTRODUCTION OF COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER
President Millard
Dr. David Watson, Academic Dean
Honoring | Rev. DR. DaviD F. Watson
Senior Vice President, Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, United Theological Seminary
President Millard
COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS: “READING FOR RENEWAL” REVISITED Dean Watson
PRESENTATION OF AWARDS
STUDENT AWARDS
Dr. David Watson, Academic Dean
Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
The William and Carolyn Anderson Applied Theology Competition | susan Hitts
This award is given for a paper submitted in competition that demonstrates a student’s ability to think critically on theological issues he or she applies to contemporary social concerns. It is given through the generosity of Dr. William and Carolyn Anderson.
The Ruth Pippert Core Memorial Award | Jean GaRDy DoRimain
Perpetuating Ruth Pippert Core’s lifelong interest in peace, unity, and the arts, Professor Emeritus Arthur C. Core established this award to provide enrichment in the arts, ecumenics, and aid to exchange students.
The Robert E. and Mary Elizabeth Cramer Award | Kaitlin JacKson
The Robert E. and Mary Elizabeth Cramer Award is given each year to an outstanding student who has completed two thirds of the required semester hours for their degree to recognize and encourage academic achievement.
The Robert M. Daughtery Award | ezRa smitH
The Robert M. Daughtery Award is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated exceptional promise for pastoral ministry.
The Harry L. Eckels Award | GeoRGe BuD FicKley
The Harry L. Eckels Award is given each year to a person who has completed at least two-thirds of the required semester hours for their degree and who demonstrates stewardship of time, talent, and money.
The Fellowship Seminarian Award | JayDen GRoppi
This award is given for outstanding leadership in music and/or worship arts.
The Hoyt Hickman Award | tRacy ann WinteRs
The Hoyt Hickman Award for Outstanding Liturgical Scholarship and Practice is awarded by The Order of Saint Luke. The award is given to the graduating student who, in the judgment of the selection committee, both (1) has given evidence of a high quality of scholarship in the study of liturgy, and (2) is an effective leader of Christian worship.
The Missionary Interpretation Award | asHRay matHa
The Missionary Interpretation Award is given each year to assist a student in interpreting to the American Church its worldwide Christian responsibility. The award is made possible by an endowment established by the Youth Fellowship of the Memorial United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland.
The Kendall McCabe Award in Preaching | scott meeKeR
The McCabe Award in Preaching is given each year to a senior student in the master’s programs. The awardee will demonstrate in a submitted sermon exegetical skill in interpreting the text and an awareness of the liturgical, congregational, and missional context of the homiletical occasion. The awardwinning sermon will serve as an exemplar of preaching as a liturgical act.
The Dr. Won Byung Roh Award | leonaRD FRieson
This award for excellence in pastoral care-giving is given to a student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship and practice in the field of Pastoral CareGiving and has completed two-thirds of the required semester hours for their degree.
The Dr. Hervin U. Roop Award | misteR RaBy
Through the generosity of the late Hervin U. Roop, former president of Lebanon Valley College, an award is given to recognize and encourage students in the leadership of worship and the public reading of Scriptures.
The August Thomas Memorial Award | JayDen GRoppi
The August Thomas Memorial Award is given to a student who shows special promise in church administration.
The Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Award | steFanie pitts saDleR
The Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Award is presented annually to the student who shows special promise in ecumenical and social justice ministries. The award is made possible by a gift from the New York West Area of The United Methodist Church in recognition of Bishop Yeakel’s twelve years of distinguished episcopal leadership in that area.
The Corda E. Smith Award | casey naWman
The Corda E. Smith Award is given every other year to a student who excels in the study of the New Testament in the Greek language.
The Dr. Kenneth H. Pohly Award | moDupe oGunlaJa aRmsteaD
The Dr. Kenneth H. Pohly Scholarship is given to a student who has completed at least one year of seminary education and shows an exceptional promise in leadership for the local church.
DMin Outstanding Project in Church Renewal | BeatRice aGHali
The DMin Outstanding Project on Church Renewal award is given each year to a Doctoral student with an outstanding project in church renewal.
Project: Intercultural Encounter: Developing a Training Model That Prepares Clergywomen of Color to Cross-Cultural Leadership Ministry
Mentor: Dr. Dexter Cannon
DMin Outstanding Project in Justice and Mercy | Damon HoRton
The DMin Outstanding Project in Justice and Mercy award is given each year to a Doctoral student with an outstanding project in justice and mercy.
Project: Prophetic Activism: Equipping Mentors to Improve Student Cognitive Behavior Through Spiritual and Cultural Identity
Mentor: Dr. D. Anthony Everett
DMin Outstanding Project in Proclamation of the Gospel | valeRie mize
The DMin Outstanding Project in Proclamation of the Gospel award is given each year to a Doctoral student with an outstanding project in proclamation of the Gospel.
Project: Focusing Corporate Singing as an Intentional Spiritual Practice that Creates Space for Holy Spirit Encounter
Mentors: Drs. Sue Nilson Kibbey and Brian Law
ALUMNI/AE AWARDS
Effective Ministry Award|Rev. DR. RosaRio picaRDo (Dmin ’14)
Established in 1976, this award is given to a person who has developed outstanding new or unique ministries, who is engaged in a particular local expression of ministry and witness or who serves in challenging areas of ministry defined by characteristics such as geographic region or cross-cultural appointments.
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award|DR. Boise KimBeR (Dmin ’01)
Established in the mid-1980s, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award honors those who have obtained denominational, ecumenical or professional distinction.
President Millard
Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus/a Award|Rev. DR c. DuH Kam (Dmiss '97) anD DR. RoBeRt WalKeR (Dmin '95)
Established in 2012, this award honors those who have developed an outstanding program or ministry outreach as a result of effective work in one of United’s doctoral programs.
RECOGNITION OF 2020 GRADUATES
A virtual commencement was held in 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19. On the fifth anniversary of the occasion, United invited 2020 graduates to walk at this year’s commencement ceremony.
Abigail Feltz
Cara Watkins
India Barnes
Andrew Donner
Kevin Little
Justin Shamell
Joseph Chandler, Jr.
Master of Arts in Christian Ministries
Master of Arts in Christian Ministries
Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity
Doctor of Ministry
Doctor of Ministry
AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES
PRESENTED BY President Millard
HISPANIC CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Maria D. Cerda
Carla Lozano
Emmanuel Lopez Membrilla
United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
CERTIFICATE IN SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP
David Castillo Aguilar
Enrique Sanchez
Chelsea Dawn Witherspoon
Global Methodist Church
Global Methodist Church
CERTIFICATE IN THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY
Christopher Cartwright, II
Global Methodist Church
PRESENTED BY
THE AWARDING OF ACADEMIC DEGREES
* Degree to be conferred August 2025
Dr. Kent Millard, President
Dr. David Watson, Academic Dean
Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dr. Elvin Sadler, Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies
Mrs. Karen Clark, Registrar
MASTER OF ARTS
Kevin Doerksen
Seunghwa Kim
MASTER OF MINISTRY
Anne Blasdel
Thurman Davis Clark
Brenda Lynn Crouch
Harrison B. Dush
Ralph Griffin, III
D'Andre William James-Daniels, I
Timothy Zane Krug
Marlon C. Mack, Sr.
Barbara King Runnels
Michael James Warschauer
Suzanne Marie Werthmann
Arnold Leonard Windham
The Alliance Canada
Southern Baptist Convention
Non-denominational
Wesleyan
Charismatic / Pentecostal
Global Methodist Church
Weslyan Methodist
African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Global Methodist Church
Baptist
Non-denominational
Great Plains Conference of The UMC
Pentecostal
MASTER OF ARTS IN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
Kathleen Faye Dickman
Naw Awng Hpauroi
Nancy J. Maier
David Alan Rosenblatt
Joyce H. Snide
Michael E. Swetman
Cherie Cutler Whitehurst
MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Indiana Conference of The UMC
Baptist
Wisconsin Conference of The UMC
Non-denominational
Global Methodist Church
Rio Texas Conference of The UMC
Interdenominational
Alfonso A. Carter Baptist
Cory Wasson
MASTER OF DIVINITY
Kathryn Biggs
Adriana Bustamante
Robert Donald Clinger
Angela Marie Hoover Cunigan-Turner
Kevin Dean Draper Evers
Trisha Ann W. Farrell
Indiana Conference of The UMC
West Ohio Conference of The UMC
Global Methodist Church
Iowa Conference of The UMC
Iowa Conference of The UMC
Michigan Conference of The UMC
Jeffrey Miles Fisher
Anna Gennrich
Jayden A. Groppi
Michael Joseph Holcomb
Melissa Koenig
Horizon Texas Conference of The UMC
Holston Conference of The UMC
West Ohio Conference of The UMC
Global Methodist Church
Indiana Conference of The UMC
Ashray Kumar Matha Disciples of Christ
Scott D. Meeker
Janelle Marie Moser
G. Lance Moyer
Dennis Lee Myers, Jr.
Stefanie Renee Pitts Sadler
David Richards
Global Methodist Church
West Ohio Conference of The UMC
Florida Conference of The UMC
African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Non-denominational
Daniel Ridgeway Baptist
Chad M. Sherman
Michael Ezra Smith
Dale Robert Stufflebeam
Paula Jean Taylor
Joanne Catherine Thomas
Global Methodist Church
Global Methodist Church
West Ohio Conference of The UMC
Horizon Texas Conference of The UMC
American Baptist
Shunda Rae Townsel Baptist
Ryan Whisel
*Tracy Ann Winters
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
Fresh Expressions and Church Renewal
Susquehanna Conference of The UMC
Global Methodist Church
Faculty Mentors: Michael Beck, DMin; Rosario Picardo, DMin
Luke Stephen Edwards
Associate Director of Church Development – Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC, Huntersville, NC
Equipping Clergy to Lead Their Congregations in Spiritual Listening
Robert James Hutchinson, Jr.
Director of Church Development – Western North Carolina Conference of the UMC, Huntersville, NC
Equipping Church Leadership Teams to Prioritize Spiritual Discernment in Strategic Visioning
Andrew Suite
Lead Pastor – First United Methodist Church of Mishawaka, Mishawaka, IN
Launching Intentional Intergenerational Communities as a Pathway for Missional Vitality
Supernatural Ministry
Faculty Mentor: Frank Billman, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Scott Kisker, PhD
Van Lal Chhuanga
Executive Secretary – Mission and Ecumenism Department, Myanmar Council of Churches, Yangon, Myanmar
The Cross Amidst the Pagodas: Toward Effective Cross-Cultural Evangelism That Includes Supernatural Ministry
Prophetic Preaching and Praxis
Faculty Mentors: Brenda Braam, DMin; Kenneth Cummings, DMin; Robert Walker, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Al Kennon, DMin
Andral Revel Gooden
Minister – Montgomery Avenue Church of Christ, Springfield, OH
Leadership Education for Adolescent Development
Antonio D. Neely
Senior Pastor – Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Portsmouth, OH
Transforming How We Understand “Community” in an Effort to Revitalize
Pleasant Green Baptist Church
Engaging and Growing Congregations through Creative Pastoral Preaching and Leadership Models
Faculty Mentors: Danielle Brown, DMin; Charles Goodman, DMin, PhD; Philip Pointer, DMin
Faculty Consultants: Wendy Deichmann, PhD; Ian Edwards, DMin; Darlene Cook, DMin
Dominique U. Allen
Associate Minister – Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Effectuating Grief, Trauma, and Sudden Loss in the African American Church Context
Alfie S. Lewis
Bishop – Restoration Bible Church International, Brandywine, MD
Connected for The Commission: Hybrid Worship with a Missional Purpose
Kim Yvonne Troy-Richardson
Associate Pastor – St. Paul United Methodist Church, Winston Salem, NC
Cultivating the Next Generation: A Model for Youth Discipleship Ministry In The Twenty-First Century
Innovative Leadership: Building Leaders and Congregations for Effective Change
Faculty Mentors: Dexter Cannon, DMin; Charles Jackson, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Anthony Le Donne, PhD
Beatrice Aleyo-Sagala Alghali
Clergy – Beverly Hills United Methodist Church, Beverly Hills, MI
Intercultural Encounter: Developing a Training Model That Prepares Clergywomen of Color for Cross-Cultural Leadership Ministry
Emmanuel Ifeanyichukwu Enefazu-Ossai
Assistant Pastor – Shekina House of Worship, Queens, NY
Developing A Ministry Model That Fosters Unity in A Multicultural Church
Carlene Smith
Pastor – Warren United Methodist Church, Dallas, TX
Developing A Training Model for Evangelism at St. Paul United Methodist Church
Bishop Cho Scholars: Cross-Cultural Ministry and Spiritual Leadership
Faculty Mentors: Young Jin Cho, DMin; Young Bong Kim, PhD; HiRho Park, PhD
Faculty Consultant: Andrew Park, PhD
Seonghyun Kweon
Young Adult and Praise Pastor – Daejeon SeoKwang Methodist Church, Daejeon, South Korea
Experiencing the Power of Praise Through Praise Workshops
Clara Hannah Kwon
Lead Pastor – Sharonville United Methodist Church, Cincinnati, OH
Fellowship as a Means of Grace for Faith Formation: Practicing Deeper
Interpersonal Connections
Pastoral Care and Counseling
Faculty Mentors: Anita Coleman, DMin; Jonathan McReynolds, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Reggie Abraham, PhD
Gypsie LaVue Moore Murdaugh
Senior Pastor – Greater Piney Grove United Methodist Church, Maxton, NC
Equipping the Black Church to Discern and Identify Generational Family Dysfunction
Gardner C. Taylor Scholars: Prophetic Leadership – Social Justice and Political Action
Faculty Mentors: Leroy Cothran, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Harold Hudson, DMin
Valerie Elaine King
Minister – Bethel United Holy Church, Trenton, NJ
Intersection of Christ and Culture: A Model for Spiritual Formation that Examines Biblical Principles and Cultural Influences
Strategic Leadership for Black Congregations
Faculty Mentors: William H. Curtis, DMin; Lance Watson, Sr., DMin
Faculty Consultant: Yvette Lovett Martin, DMin
Richard Azell Boone, IV
Senior Pastor – Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, Fayetteville, NC
Equipping Leaders: Cultivating Engagement, Discipleship and Connection in Youth Ministry
Adrian Ray Davis
Senior Pastor – Bethel Free Methodist Church, Mount Dora, FL
Equipping Ministry Leaders for the Evolving Needs of the Church
Georges Job Fleurimond
Lead Pastor – First University Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Tampa, FL
Unveiling Pastoral Wellness: A Deep Dive In The Seventh-Day Adventist Itinerant Model
Stephen Goldsmith
Lead Pastor – Journey of Faith Church, Humble, TX
Doing Life Together Boot Camp: A Discipling Model for Cultural Change
Justin Edward Hunt
Reverend – First Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD
Strategic Planning for African American Congregations
Tristan Salley
Pastor – St. Paul AME Church, Rockville Centre, NY
Disciplined Discipleship for St. Paul AME Church
Debnam, Solomon, Weah Scholars: Building Church & Community Wholeness by Reimagining Ministry for the Post Pandemic Era
Faculty Mentors: Dwayne Debnam, DMin; Carl Solomon, DMin; Lisa Weah, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Kevin Taylor, DMin
Tracy L. Boles
Pastor – Timothy Baptist Church and New Beginning Full Gospel Baptist Church, Athens, GA
Debt Management in a Post-Pandemic Era
Christin Nikole Thorpe
Director, Thriving Black Church Initiative – Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI
Opening the Doors to the Church Family: Developing a Culture of Belonging and Inclusion for Effective Discipleship
Millicent Adora Waterman
Associate Minister – St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, NY
The Abrupt and Unforeseen Closure of Local Churches Within the Denomination Is Exposing Members to Grief and Trauma
Randy Clark Scholars: Presenting the Gospel as Jesus Intended – In Love, Authority and Signs and Wonders
Faculty Mentors: Ian Dunn, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Andrew Park, PhD
Julie Alsip
Pastor – Lindenwald Community Church, Hamilton, OH
Transformative Discipleship Practices: Bridging Theoretical Knowledge of God to Experiential Knowledge of God
Frederick Osei-Manu
Pastor – Christ Global Methodist Church, Cambridge, OH
Healing Through Deliverance: A Six-Week Training and Equipping Model
Prophetic Activism – From the Cross to the Community
Faculty Mentor: D. Anthony Everett, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Xavier Johnson, PhD
Rodney James Lynch
Reverend and Founder/Chief Executive Officer – LJD Atonement Ministry, Lafayette, IN
Racial Atonement as Prophetic Activism: Growing The ‘Kindom’ Of God Through Conciliation
Damon Horton
Chief Executive Officer – Non-profit Within My Father's House, Inc., Lexington, KY
Prophetic Activism: Equipping Mentors to Improve Student Cognitive Behavior Through Spiritual and Cultural Identity
Builders and Bridgers: Transformational Approaches to Pastoral Leadership, Prophetic Preaching, and Spiritual Formation
Faculty Mentors: Donald Hilliard, DMin; Christopher M. Jones, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Thomas Cotton, DMin
Cassandra Denise Foster
Associate Pastor to the Youth – First Baptist Church of Hillside, Hillside, NJ
Identifying Youth Who have been Mishandled in a Post-Pandemic Era
David Brian Trawick
Pastor – New Life Church, Edison, NJ
Shining Light on the Darkness: The Creation of a Focus Group to Address Human Trafficking in Edison, New Jersey
Patricio Wilson
Senior Pastor – Christ Family Church, Cary, NC
Spiritual Renewal: A Model for Church Revitalization
Preaching and Leadership to Small and Mid-Size Congregations
Faculty Mentors: Jamison Hunter, DMin; George L. Parks, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Tesia Mallory, DMin
Bianca Danielle Canley
Director – African Methodist Episcopal Church FD, Nashville, TN
Bridging the Gap Between Millennial Pastors and Baby Boomer Congregants
Anwar Carter
Pastor – Highland Heights Church of Christ, Memphis, TN
Transformational Preaching and Leadership to Foster the Unity Necessary to Facilitate Effective Ministry in a Local Congregation
Michelangelo Clark
Preaching Assistant – Westside Baptist Church, Lewisville, TX
Exploring Transformational Leadership at Westside Baptist Church
Vernon Shazier
Senior Pastor – River of Life Fellowship, Fort Pierce, FL
A Theology That Manages Trauma
Eric Rendell Tarver
Pastor – Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Beeville, TX
Transforming Leadership Cultivating Community Within the Church
Terrick Williams, Sr.
Senior Pastor – Progressive Morningstar Baptist Church, Jackson, MS
Transformational Leadership to Facilitate a Congregation's Spiritual Revitalization
Living the Historic Faith: Christian Wisdom for Today’s Church
Faculty Mentors: Justus Hunter, PhD; Michael Lowry, DMin; David Watson, PhD
Faculty Consultant: Vivian Johnson, PhD
James Mallory
Reverend – United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH
Implementing an Online Orientation Course to Prepare Master’s Students of United Theological Seminary for Academic Writing
Open the Floodgates: Mobilize a Spiritual Movement
Faculty Mentors: Brian Law, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Calvin Lane, PhD
Rebecca Borke
Pastor – First United Methodist Church, Wausau, WI
Reestablishing Trust in Church Leadership by Identifying and Overcoming Spiritual Abuse by Former Pastors
Lisa Fox
Pastor – Reedsville United Methodist Church, Reedsville, WV
A Pathway of Healing Through the Art of Creative Writing for Rural Congregations
Valerie Bennett Mize
Pastor – Derby Global Methodist Church, Johnstown, PA
Focusing Corporate Singing as an Intentional Spiritual Practice that Makes Space for Holy Spirit Encounter
Sue Nilson Kibbey
Director – Bishop Bruce Ough Innovation Center at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH
Equipping Pastors and Church Leaders to Launch Congregation-Wide Prayer Seeking God’s New Possibilities
Effective Leadership for Creative Ministry in the Post-Modern Church
Faculty Mentors: Sir Walter Mack, Jr., DMin; Herbert Miller II, DMin
Jarvis Ellis
Senior Pastor – Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Dayton, OH
Preparing and Developing Effective Leaders for Transition and Succession at Macedonia Baptist Church
Carlos M. Rosa-Laguer
Pastor/Planter – Jesús Esperanza Viva / Jesus Living Hope, Rochester, NY
A Creative and Innovative Discipleship Process for the 21st Church: Integrating Sanctifying Theology, Spiritual Formation, and Neuroplasticity in Disciple Development
Philip Demetrius Williams
Senior Pastor – Fresh Wind Christian Center Church, Memphis, TN
From the Seat to Service: Developing a Model of Increasing Servant Volunteers in the Church to Increase the Efforts of Reaching the Community
Sadler Fellows: Embracing the Shift: 21st Century Leadership Development for Innovation and Transformation
Faculty Mentors: David M. Nelson, DMin; J. Elvin Sadler, DMin
Faculty Consultant: Madeline Henners, DMin
Henry A. Gregory, III
Pastor–New Home AME Zion Church, York, SC
Can’t We All Get Along? A Transformative Leadership Model for Developing Spiritual Maturity Through Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Tonya Elaine Hawkins Jackson
Pastor – Trinity AME Zion Church, Whitmire, SC
Developing The Leader Within: A Transformational Leadership Model to Address Healing When Wounded
Chaplaincy for All Ministries
Faculty Mentors: Moses Taiwo, PhD
Hassan Ayiku Dicks
Chaplain – AccentCare Hospice and Palliative Care, Madison Heights, MI
Faith Crisis: A Pastoral Care for Traumatized Families Due to Terrorism in Jebbu-Miango Plateau State, Nigeria
CERTIFICATE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
Derrick T. Jones (1969-2025)
*PRAYER FOR GRADUATES
*HYMN
Verse 1
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down; fix in us thy humble dwelling; all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.
Verse 2
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
*DISMISSAL AND BLESSING
President Millard
President Millard
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
Verse 3
Come, Almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive; suddenly return and never, nevermore thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above, pray and praise thee without ceasing, glory in thy perfect love.
Verse 4
Finish, then, thy new creation; pure and spotless let us be. Let us see thy great salvation perfectly restored in thee; changed from glory into glory, till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Dean Watson President Millard
Brothers and sisters in Christ, be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Amen.
Philippians 1:6
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14
*THE RECESSIONAL Please remain at your seats until all the graduates have recessed.
REV. DR. ROSARIO "ROZ" PICARDO
Roz Picardo grew up in western New York as a first-generation Sicilian-American. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Houghton College in 2003, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2007, a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary in 2014, and an MBA from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2021.
Roz began his ministry during his senior year of college as a military chaplain, serving four years in the Marine Reserves and five years in the Navy Reserves. While in seminary, he felt a call to serve the local church and has since gained experience in every facet of church life—working as a church custodian, associate pastor, church planter, and executive pastor of church planting at Ginghamsburg Church, where he helped lead a multi-campus ministry with over 4,000 worshippers. He was also one of the founding pastors of Mosaic Church, a vibrant, multicultural congregation in Dayton, Ohio (www.wearemosaic.org).
Beyond his pastoral work, Roz is a national speaker and founder of Picardo Coaching LLC, a consulting group for church planters and pastors. He also serves as a faculty consultant in United Theological Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program and as an affiliate faculty member. Roz is an author of ten books, focusing on church leadership, discipleship and ministry innovation.
REV. DR. BOISE KIMBER
At the tender age of 15, the Reverend Dr. Boise Kimber was called to the Gospel ministry. In 1986, he started First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, Connecticut, having served four congregations prior. Under his spirited and energetic leadership for the last 39 years, First Calvary Baptist Church remains committed to loving, teaching, preaching and reconciliation.
Dr. Kimber has served in the life and work of the Baptist denomination for the expansion of the Kingdom of God since becoming a member in 1977, and he is currently president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
Dr. Kimber’s unwavering voice echoes as a call for justice across Connecticut and the nation. Locally, Dr. Kimber is President Emeritus of the Greater New Haven Clergy Association, a consultant to the office of Multicultural Affairs and the Multicultural Center at Southern Connecticut State University, a Fire Commissioner for the City of New Haven, a Director for Aids Interfaith Network, Inc., an advisor to local labor unions, and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
Dr. Kimber completed his undergraduate studies at Johnson C. Smith University. He earned a Master of Arts degree at Hartford Seminary, Connecticut, a Master of Sacred Theology at Yale University, and a Doctor of Ministry at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Kimber summarizes his life in this way: “I believe I was always destined to be a preacher. The emerging Black Churches need preachers who will respond to the constant challenges we face. I have gratefully followed the path which the Lord set for me, so I can follow in His footsteps and lead His people to liberation.”
Dr. Kimber is married to Shevalle T. Kimber and is the proud father of seven adults.
REV. DR. C DUH KAM
I am profoundly honored to accept the 2025 Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus Award from United Theological Seminary. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my distinguished professor, the Reverend Dr. Norman Thomas, as well as to United for this esteemed recognition. I extend my prayers for God’s blessings upon United and all individuals dedicated to the advancement of His Kingdom.
I was born in Thau, a small village situated along the India-Burma border. After graduating from high school in 1975, I taught in elementary and middle schools for five years. Throughout this time, I experienced a profound divine calling to serve God and in 1980 began my theological education at the Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT) in Yangon, Myanmar. I earned my Bachelor of Theology degree in March 1985 and my Master of Divinity degree in March 1988. After three years of pastoral service within the Baptist Church in my hometown, God opened the door for me to further my studies in the United States.
In September 1991, I immigrated to the United States from Chin State, Myanmar, to pursue my academic studies at Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, graduating with my Master of Theology in June 1992. I then enrolled at United Theological Seminary and in May 1997 became the inaugural recipient of the Doctor of Missiology degree from United.
Although I initially intended to return to Myanmar to assume the role of principal at Chin Christian College (currently Chin Christian University) in Hakha, the prevailing political situation in my country posed considerable challenges. Consequently, I accepted a chaplaincy position at Spohn Memorial Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. I then worked for the Texas State Mental Health and Mental Retardation Service for six years. In March 2005, I was invited to serve as a pastor at the Chin Baptist Mission Church, a thriving Chin refugee church in Washington, D.C., where I have actively engaged in ministry for the past 20 years.
Furthermore, I played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Chin Baptist Churches USA (CBCUSA), serving as the Executive Minister and subsequently as General Secretary for 13 years, from its inception in January 2002 until it expanded to 102 churches. Under my leadership, we founded the International Chin Baptist Mission and dispatched over 100 local missionaries to Southern Chin State, Myanmar. Additionally, I was instrumental in forming the International Chin Literature Society (ICLS), which encompasses six national Chin religious organizations from Myanmar, Mizoram, India, Bangladesh, Australia, Europe, and the United States. I served as the President of ICLS and organized the inaugural International Chin Christian Youth Conference held in 2017 in Lawngtlai, Mizoram, India. This event marked the first instance of reunification among the Chin community since their division into three separate countries in 1937. I am grateful to God for His continued blessings. My church, Chin Baptist Mission Church in Baltimore, Maryland, celebrated my Pearl Jubilee, commemorating 30 years of ministry, on October 17, 2021.
DR. ROBERT C. WALKER, SR.
Dr. Robert C. Walker, Sr. is a native of Woodlawn, Texas, and a graduate of Wiley College in Marshall, Texas; Scarret Bennett Seminary, now Scarret Bennett Center, in Nashville, Tennessee; and United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned his Doctor of Ministry with a focus on urban ministry.
For nearly 40 years, Dr. Walker served as the Executive Director of the Wesley Community Center in Dayton, Ohio, where he championed essential community services, including elder care, job training, and educational resources. His leadership extended beyond the center, influencing the Dayton community as President of the Dayton Public School Board and as a coach and mentor in youth athletics. His heart for overlooked populations also led him to ministry in rural Ohio and mission fields in Haiti.
Dr. Walker has been a guiding force for future faith leaders at United Theological Seminary for more than three decades, serving as an adjunct instructor for master’s programs and a mentor in the Doctor of Ministry program.
Thank you for attending the Commencement Celebration for 2025 Graduates
Graduates and guests are invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony
Special thanks and appreciation to the organizations, staff and faculty who participated and contributed to the 2025 Commencement program:
Christian Life Center for hosting Oakwood Brass for their gift of music
United’s Alumni/ae Association for sponsoring the student reception All the staff and faculty
Our Mission: United prepares faithful and fruitful Christian leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
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