[Seabury-Western Theological Seminary] On Saturday, May 12, at 10:30 a.m., 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 degree, honoris causa, will be awarded to Diane Jardine Bruce, bishop suffragan of Los Angeles, and Andrew M.L. Dietsche, bishop coadjutor of New York.
Bruce holds a doctor of ministry degree in congregational development from Seabury, a master of divinity degree 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 a bishop in that diocese. Prior to her election to the episcopacy, she served for 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 to 2001, Dietsche served as rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
Seabury’s interim President Dr. Robert Bottoms and the Rev. Dr. Gwynne Wright, board chair, will present doctor of ministry in congregational development degrees and 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 doctor of ministry in congregational development degree the following day. Evensong will follow at 6 p.m.
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. For reservations, call Ron Fox at 773.380.6781.