On a breezy weekend that sent graduation caps flying, Yale Divinity School held its 188th Commencement Exercises. Yale University granted 103 diplomas to Yale Divinity School candidates: 50 Master of Arts in Religion, 47 Master of Divinity, and 6 Master of Sacred Theology.
“Dreams are powerful and dangerous”
The 2014 exercises began with Commencement Worship on Sunday, May 18. The service took place outside on the Quad and was planned by the Senior Class Officers in collaboration with the Marquand Chapel Staff.
“Come, Holy Spirit, empower our dreams,” prayed Associate Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling Jan Holton during the call to worship. “That we may be bold visionaries and joyful co-creators,” responded the congregation.
The theme of dreams continued through the reading of the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:5-20 and the sermon delivered by Assistant Professor of Religious Education Almeda Wright, entitled “Dangerous Dreamers.”
Noting that those with bold visions are often met with scorn much like Joseph’s dreams were met with his brothers’ mocking taunt, “Here comes that dreamer!” Wright encouraged the Class of 2014 to use dreams as a way to “help us see and bring about a transformed world.”
“Dreams are powerful and dangerous because the first step—the first step before we can actually begin to take action—is to be able to dream that something different is possible,” said Wright. “Oh, there are times when we say that all people are created equal or should be treated thusly, but can you see it? Can you imagine it? Can you dream it?”
During the sermon, Wright was briefly interrupted when a strong gust of wind knocked over the metal processional cross that had been placed on the platform.
“I guess the wind has something to say,” laughed Wright. No one was injured.
The 2014 Class gift was presented by Derick Dailey ’14 M.A.R. and Corinne Ellis ’14 M.Div. The gift totaled $11,673.08 at the time of its presentation and will be used to fund scholarships for future YDS students. More than 74 percent of the class contributed.
“Your classmates who will follow you will be the recipients of your generosity,” said Dean Greg Sterling, expressing his appreciation.
Salaam aleikum–May peace be in your hearts
Commencement Exercises continued the next morning in Marquand Chapel with Commencement Communion for graduating students, their guests, and other members of the YDS community.
The sermon was delivered by Professor of Hebrew Scriptures Carolyn Sharp. Drawing from the remarks of Pauli Murray, the first African American woman ordained in the Episcopal church, and the words of Jesus in Matthew 24:42-47, Professor Sharp commended graduating students for embodying Christ’s call to be watchful. “It’s exhausting and it can be destabilizing, but properly done, theological education is the very definition of keeping awake,” said Sharp.
She also thanked graduates for their many contributions to the intellectual and spiritual life of Yale Divinity School. “On this glorious day as you prepare to walk forward into your future, know that you have made us more fully who we are called to be,” said Professor Sharp. “You have helped us to watch for the Holy in the past, present, and future of our common life. That is a sacred thing.”
Following communion, the service concluded with “Salaam Aleikum,” a lively Ghanian song that has become a favorite at Marquand Chapel. The song was accompanied by Rhythms from the Heart, a world drum and music ensemble directed by Master Percussionist Michael Mills.
With Student Council President Chris Washnock ’14 M.A.R. in the lead bearing the Yale Divinity School banner and the percussionists close behind, the Class of 2014 processed from the Sterling Quadrangle down the hill to join the rest of the university on Old Campus for the Yale University Commencement—a 313 year tradition.
There were more than 3,000 Yale degree candidates from Yale College as well as the Graduate and Professional Schools, but divinity students were identified by the scarlet border on the edge of their hoods. Many YDS students also chose to embellish their graduation caps with a more recent YDS custom—sparkly haloes made out of pipe-cleaners.
Along with the candidates for degrees from Yale College, the Graduate School, and the other professional schools, Yale Divinity School candidates were presented and degrees were conferred upon them by the University. When the Divinity School was presented, four student marshalls from the Divinity School went to the platform to receive symbolic diplomas: Patrick Burrows M.Div., Jenna Cobb M.Div., Stephanie Thurston M.A.R., and Craig Robinson Jr. ’12 M.Div., S.T.M. Dean Gregory Sterling gave the benediction at the conclusion of the ceremony.
“To have strength, courage, and understanding”
After recessing up the hill, the Class of 2014 returned to the Sterling Divinity Quadrangle to receive their diplomas.
Dean Sterling gave the commencement address, telling the story of Clark Poling, a member of the Yale Divinity School Class of 1936. During World War II, Poling volunteered as a chaplain and served on the USAT Dorchester, together with three other chaplains: United Methodist minister George Fox, Reformed rabbi Alexander Goode, and Catholic priest John Washington. In February of 1943 the Dorchester was hit by a German submarine and quickly began to sink.
“These four chaplains then began distributing life jackets from a storeroom,” recounted Dean Sterling. “When the life jackets had all been distributed, without a word, the four of them simultaneously took off their own life jackets and gave them to the next people in line. No one asked ‘Are you a Protestant?’ ‘Are you a Catholic?’ ‘Are you a Jew?’ They just gave their life jackets.” Without life jackets, the four chaplains died. Only 230 of the 902 men on the ship survived.
Dean Sterling read a letter Poling had sent to his father, shortly before the Dorchester embarked. Poling asked his father to pray, but “not for my safe return—that wouldn’t be fair—just pray that I shall do my duty, never be a coward, and have the strength, courage, and understanding of men. Just pray that I shall be adequate.”
“Clark Poling was adequate, as were his three colleagues,” Dean Sterling told the Class of 2014. “Our charge to you today is to remember the four chaplains. Remember that religion should not be a wall that separates, but a bridge that unites. Remember that a call is not to be served, but to serve others and to put them before yourself.”
Following the ceremony, graduates, family members, classmates, and faculty enjoyed a sunny reception on the YDS quad.
Congratulations to the Class of 2014!