Releases
CHICAGO, Illinois, May 8, 2012—On Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 am, the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, former presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, former bishop of Chicago and Seabury adjunct faculty member, will preach at the 154th commencement of Seabury Western Theological Seminary. The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, bishop of Chicago and a Seabury trustee, will preside.
The doctor of divinity honoris causa will be awarded to Bishop Diane Jardine Bruce, bishop suffragan of Los Angeles, and Bishop Andrew M.L. Dietsche, bishop coadjutor of New York. Bruce holds a Doctor of Ministry (DMin) in Congregational Development from Seabury, a master of divinity from Claremont School of Theology, and a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from the University of California at Berkley. In 2009, she was elected seventh bishop suffragan of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, becoming the first woman to be elected bishop in that diocese. Prior to her election to the episcopacy, she served ten years as rector of St. Clement’s by-the-Sea Church in San Clemente, California.
Dietsche holds a master of divinity degree from Seabury and a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he majored in studio art. Prior to his 2011 election as bishop coadjutor of New York, Dietsche served as the diocese's canon of pastoral care for ten years. His first day of work for the diocese was September 12, 2001, the day after the attack on the World Trade Center. From 1990–2001, Dietsche served as rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in West Springfield, MA.
Seabury's Interim President Dr. Robert Bottoms and the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Wright, board chair, will present three eDMin in congregational development degrees and eight diplomas of Anglican studies to graduating students. The Rev. Roger Albert Ferlo, Ph.D., D.D., president-elect of Seabury and Bexley Hall, will attend the ceremony. A luncheon reception will follow.
On Friday, May 11 at 4:30 pm, Seabury will also host a panel discussion with Paul Nahirney, Tom Thoeni and John Palarine, three students who will be awarded the DMin in congregational development the following day. Evensong will follow at 6 pm.Commencement Eucharist and Friday Evensong will be held in the chapel of the ELCA at 8765 W. Higgins Road in Chicago. The commencement reception will be held at Seabury, located on the sixth floor of the building. To RSVP, please call Ron Fox at 773-380-6781.
Seabury’s theological education—from single classes to certificates and doctoral degrees—embodies generous Christianity and is open to the intellectually and spiritually curious. For church leaders, for seminarians and for seekers, Seabury’s innovative programs are rooted in the Episcopal tradition and presented with academic rigor. Find out what’s next at www.seabury.edu
.
Bishop Frank Griswold, former presiding bishop, former bishop of Chicago, and Seabury adjunct faculty member, will preach at Seabury's 2012 commencement Saturday, May 12 at 10:30 am. Bishop Jeff Lee, bishop of Chicago and a Seabury trustee, will preside.
