Change Font Size:   A A A

Apr 15, 2013

Seminary to Hold Commencement May 14 in Austin

Thirty-nine graduates will receive diplomas including twenty Master of Divinity students from thirteen dioceses across the country; eight Master of Arts in Counseling students; five Master of Arts in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care; one Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation; and three Master of Arts in Religion students.

Honorary degrees will be presented to Dr. Brené Brown, research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work; Mrs. Barbara Payne, co-chair of the seminary’s Campaign for Leadership; and the Rt. Rev. Claude E. Payne, seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Texas and co-chair of the seminary’s campaign.

Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest (LSPS) will present two graduates of the certificate program of theological education for emerging ministries. LSPS has shared the Austin campus with Seminary of the Southwest for nearly 40 years.

The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, will preach at Commencement.

Douglas Travis, dean and president of the seminary will preach at Evensong on Monday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. in Christ Chapel on the seminary campus. Dean Travis announced his retirement in March, and the community will celebrate his ministry on Sunday evening, May 12.

Seminary of the Southwest alumni serve in all 50 states, 23 countries and six continents around the globe. Southwest has 124 students enrolled in its degrees. The seminary’s mission is to form men and women for the service of Christ in lay or ordained ministry within the church and the larger society.