Ashland Theological Seminary
Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, May 16, 2015
10:00 a.m.
Ashland, Ohio
Presiding Officials
John C. Shultz
President, Ashland Theological Seminary
Paul W. Chilcote
Academic Dean, Ashland Theological Seminary
Christopher Boyd, MD
Ashland University Board of Trustees
ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Commencement Ceremony
Academic Procession*
Students and Faculty
One Faith, One Hope, One Lord - Craig Courtney
All Creatures of Our God and King - arr. Sterling
Brass Ensemble
Welcome & Invocation
John C. Shultz, Ph.D.
President, Ashland Theological Seminary
Songs of Worship*
Congregation
The Reading of the Old Testament
L. Dan Hawk, Ph.D.
Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew
Joshua 14:6-11
The Reading of the New Testament
Thomas Gilmore, D.Min
Coordinator of Education, Cleveland Center
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Prayer
Anthem
Introduction of Speaker
Wyndy Corbin Reuschling, Ph.D.
Professor of Ethics & Theology
Christ Centered Church Ensemble
(led by William Eldridge & Richard Cash)
The Anthem
David Mann, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Counseling Programs,
Professor of Counseling
Commencement Address
Everett L. Worthington, Ph.D.
“Look! The Amazing Power of Love”
Presentation of Candidates
Paul W. Chilcote, Ph.D.
Academic Dean
*Congregation Standing
Awarding of Degrees
John C. Shultz, Ph.D.
President, Ashland Theological Seminary
Christopher Boyd, MD
Ashland University Board of Trustees
Conferral of Degrees
John C. Shultz, Ph.D.
Diploma of Theology - Black Church Studies
Diploma of Theology - Hispanic Church Studies
Graduate Diploma in Leadership Coaching
Master of Arts (Biblical Studies)
Master of Arts (Historical and Theological Studies)
Master of Arts (Religion)
Master of Arts in Black Church Studies
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Master of Arts in Counseling
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Care
Master of Arts in Practical Theology
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
Master of Divinity
Master of Divinity (Chaplaincy)
Doctor of Ministry
Litany*
Mary L. Lutz, Ph.D.
Coordinator of Education, Columbus Center
Anthem & Recognition of our Graduates
Every Praise
Prayer of Blessing*
Christ Centered Church Ensemble
Michael Thompson, Ph.D.
Professor of Practical Theology
Recessional*
Brass Ensemble
Albert Zabel
The Graduation Dinner will be held following the service
at the John C. Myers Convocation Center, Lower Level, Claremont Avenue.
Advance reservations required.
*Congregation Standing
THE LITANY
Leader:
Lord, from the dawn of creation you have shown forth your glory.
Congregation:
Show us again your glory.
Leader:
For your glory you called a people into existence through Abram,
you called a people into freedom through Moses, you called a
people to righteousness through your prophets.
Congregation:
We thank you, Father, for calling us into existence, freedom, and
righteousness through Christ.
Graduates:
For we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a
people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him
who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Faculty, Staff,
Administration:
It is for God’s glory that he has called you to this place, and we
thank him.
Graduates:
And for his glory we go.
Family of
Graduates:
We know that this road has included moments of exuberance
and difficulty. At times we have journeyed with you, and at times
we could only observe. But we rejoice in God’s faithfulness to you
and your perseverance in following his call.
Graduates:
Thank you for the numerous ways in which your support has been
God’s provision for me.
ALL:
Lord, keep your glory ever before our eyes that we may be inspired
to praise your holy name and motivated to live lives worthy of your
calling. Continue to reveal your glory to Ashland Theological
Seminary that it may remain an instrument of your instruction and
transformation.
GRADUATES
Diploma of Theology - Black Church Studies
(Dr. William Myers, Director)
Charles Arthur Dickerson
Doretha Love
Brian Travis Moore
Janetta D. Vincent
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Euclid, OH
Euclid, OH
Diploma of Theology – Hispanic Church Studies
(Dr. Felix Muñiz, Director)
Elba E. Collado
Norma Iris Cubano
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Graduate Diploma in Leadership Coaching
Edith Vilamajó Sanchis
In Absentia
Barcelona, Spain
Master of Arts (Biblical Studies)
Darlene Kinney
Julie Elizabeth Murdock*
cum laude
James Michael Ryder Jr.
In Absentia
New Concord, OH
Wakeman, OH
Massillon, OH
Master of Arts (Historial and Theological Studies)
Cory S. Janson*
magna cum laude
Brewster, OH
Master of Arts (Religion)
Nora Jane Baker
magna cum laude
Nathaniel Lewis, Jr.
Northville, MI
In Absentia
Southfield, MI
Master of Arts in Black Church Studies
C. Linda Cooper*
Euclid, OH
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
(Dr. David Mann, Associate Dean for Counseling Programs)
Justina Ifeoma Ogudebe Amechi*
Carl Robert Anderson*
Sheila Maria Anderson*
Chi Sigma Iota
Kristin A. Batcheck
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Columbus, OH
Rockford, IL
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
*Denotes August Completion
Anthea Janele Bayless*
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Shawna Marie Blunt*
Jessica A. Board*
Emily M. Bougher
cum laude
Mark Buddelmeyer
cum laude
John Douglas Chime
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Jefferson Darrell Collier
In Absentia
Charles Conti Jr.
Daniel DeWain Cooper
Chi Sigma Iota
Erinn Anne Dennis-DaCunha
Chi Sigma Iota
Tina Marie Fox*
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Joel Douglas Franck*
Xandula Monte' Gaitor*
Regina Kay Gifford
Chi Sigma Iota
Leiah Kathleen Hackett Abshear
Joel Thomas Hardin
In Absentia
magna cum laude
Maryann Mamie Harris-Mingle*
Eric K. Hartman
In Absentia
magna cum laude
Kelly Marie Horsfall
In Absentia
Angela Theresa Horton
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Dominic Anthony Jontony
Chad P. Kays
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Andrea Deniece Kuehne
Farrah Langlois
magna cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Jean-Robert Langlois
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Karen Leggett-Price
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Sarah Madtes
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Sandusky, OH
Pickerington, OH
New Castle, PA
Circleville, OH
Columbus, OH
Columbus, OH
Oxford, OH
Westerville, OH
Marion, OH
Dalton, OH
Lewis Center, OH
Columbus, OH
Bremen, OH
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Lewis Center, OH
Strongsville, OH
Hilliard, OH
Columbus, OH
Westerville, OH
Westerville, OH
Powell, OH
Mount Vernon, OH
*Denotes August Completion
Carol E. McClure
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Karin Marie McGuire*
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Emily Kate Meister
cum laude
J. Ryan Moore
Mark B. Pemberton*
cum laude
Shane C. Rogers
cum laude
Debi A. Smith
Lindsey Marie Smith
cum laude
Travis Somers
cum laude
Michelle L. Updegraff
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Melissa Renee Valentine
Chi Sigma Iota
Richard Allen Venn*
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Christie R. VonVille
cum laude, Chi Sigma Iota
Nilisha Chanelle Williams*
Chi Sigma Iota
Gahanna, OH
Westerville, OH
In Absentia
Columbus, OH
In Absentia
In Absentia
Dublin, OH
Amherst, OH
In Absentia
Powell, OH
Hilliard, OH
Delaware, OH
In Absentia
Zanesville, OH
Mount Vernon, OH
Centerburg, OH
Chardon, OH
In Absentia
Columbus, OH
Maple Heights, OH
(Chi Sigma Iota indicates an inducted member of the Alpha Tau Sigma Chapter of
Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society that values academic and
professional excellence in counseling.)
Master of Arts in Counseling
(Dr. Jerrolynn Johnson, Director)
Judith Carol Chapman
cum laude
Roger Keith Johnson
magna cum laude
Alonzo James McCann*
cum laude
Ruth Ann Morgan Spann
Sharie Tranae Naylor
cum laude
Brenda Adriene Smith
Roseville, MI
Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
In Absentia
Novi, MI
Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
*Denotes August Completion
Sati Ayo Smith*
DeJuan Levi Turner
Sherrice Lavonne White-Johnson*
Candace Evette Whitfield*
cum laude
Letitia Yvonne Wright*
In Absentia
Southgate, MI
Farmington Hills, MI
Redford, MI
Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Care
Rekita Kay Adams*
Sheila Marie Anderson
cum laude
Debra June Bors
Marsha Lynn Fentress*
In Absentia
Green, OH
Mechanicsburg, PA
In Absentia
Ashland, OH
Westerville, OH
Master of Arts in Practical Theology
Carrie Susan Ator-James
cum laude
Elaine Price Donaldson
cum laude
Ella Sherlaine Hardy
Marcus Limmie Johnson, Sr.
Travis Edward Sheffler
magna cum laude
Loretta Eileen Smyth
magna cum laude
Natalie Grace Thomas-Feagin
Lisa Anne Winchell
magna cum laude
Steven Matthew Young
cum laude
Athens, OH
Detroit, MI
Detroit, MI
River Rouge, MI
Powell, OH
Ashland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Rittman, OH
Barberton, OH
Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation
Amy Nicole Davies
magna cum laude
Crestline, OH
Master of Divinity
Sherry Lynn Allison
Randy Edward Barlow
cum laude
Larice E.A. Bewie
magna cum laude
Sue Ellen Bliese*
magna cum laude
Peter Joseph Bors*
In Absentia
West Bloomfield, MI
Ashland, OH
Columbus, OH
Uniontown, OH
Ashland, OH
*Denotes August Completion
Charity Tsheka Clancy
cum laude
Garry W. Cosby II
cum laude
Jennifer Lynn Darling-Mellott
Alexander Richard Dye
cum laude
Otis B. Ferguson III
cum laude
Taazlynne Ferguson
cum laude
Francis Joseph (Joe) Fox
magna cum laude
Kathryn Louise Freely
Charles Armanté Guilyot
David Michael Gulley*
Jacqueline (Henney) Adams Hamilton
Yamina A. Henderson
Heidi Rose Holst
Tamara Marie Johnson
Peter M. Kresge
cum laude
Daniel Robert Lane
cum laude
Kenneth Christopher Lazzara
cum laude
Keith A. Lenard Jr.
Matthew John McClure
magna cum laude
Hasan Meraj
cum laude
Lee Hoagland Miller
cum laude
Mary Louise Miller
cum laude
Pamala Jawan Murphy
cum laude
Jonathan Luke Naylor
Lee Thomas
magna cum laude
Kamar Wade*
Kimberly Lynn Weissman*
cum laude
Renee Marie Welch
Columbus, OH
Westerville, OH
Ashland, OH
West Liberty, OH
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Southfield, MI
Columbus, OH
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Huron, OH
Springfield, OH
Ashland, OH
Saginaw, MI
Columbus, OH
Solon, OH
Clarkston, MI
Wyandotte, MI
Kent, OH
Dezful, Iran
In Absentia
Hilliard, OH
In Absentia
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH
Cardington, OH
Stow, OH
Columbus, OH
Westerville, OH
Detroit, MI
*Denotes August Completion
Master of Divinity in Chaplaincy
Mei Lin Lam*
magna cum laude
Vincent James Matthews
Robert Mark Polite*
Ashley Joan Reese
Hong Kong
In Absentia
In Absentia
Southfield, MI
Bedford Hts., OH
Hartville, OH
Doctor of Ministry
Black Church Studies (Dr. William Myers, Track Leader)
Wanda Marie Coleman
Rodney Benet' Freeman
Jacquelyn Marie Ragin
Sonia Michelle Rice
Euclid, OH
Clover, SC
Cleveland, OH
Detroit, MI
Canadian Context
Allan Kenneth Miller
In Absentia
Trenton, Ontario,
Canada
Formational Counseling
(Dr. Terry Wardle, Track Leader)
Marlene Vernicia Fuller
Ryan Samuel Martin
Bruce Quinlan
Roosevelt Walker, Sr.
In Absentia
Richmond, VA
Harrisburg, PA
Jacksonville, FL
Nashville, TN
Independent Design
Kristen Nicole Caldwell
Beijing, China
Spiritual Formation
Tanya J. Adams
Elane O'Rourke
Columbia Station, OH
Nashville, TN
Transformational Leadership
(Dr. Dawn Morton, Track Leader)
Daniel Isaac Denlinger
David Marine Mabry
Janet Ann White Munn
Brian Craig Oglesbee
Jared N. Williams
Eaton, OH
Powell, OH
Sydney, Australia
Norwalk, OH
Rootstown, OH
*Denotes August Completion
Academic Regalia
Academic regalia of robe and hood are believed to have had their beginnings at the English
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The hoods are a
carryover from the times when the monks, who operated the universities, wore them to protect their
shaved heads in winter or to collect alms when worn as shoulder capes.
Use of the academic robe came to the United States in 1754 with the founding of what is
now Columbia University. In 1895 a commission of university officials adopted a universal
code of design and color for academic garb which has undergone various revisions, the latest
in 1960. Styling of robes varies for the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees and the width
of border and length of hood increase with the type of degree. The color of the velvet border
of the hood indicates the field of study, while the lining designates the colors of the institution
granting the degree.
Degrees with Distinction
All honors presented at commencement are based on the total GPA up to, but not including, the
student’s final semester. The averages necessary for graduation with distinction are:
summa cum laude
magna cum laude
cum laude
4.0
3.9
3.7
(with highest honor)
(with great honor)
(with praise or honor)
Alumni Pins
We celebrate and rejoice with you as you have completed your seminary studies. You have not
only answered the call, but you have embarked on a formational spiritual journey that will
continue throughout your life. May God continue to transform your heart and inspire you to
run the race set out for you with endurance. Stay engaged with us as your alma mater.
We invite you to wear your alumni pin proudly today and at all future alumni events.
Thank you for joining us for this special day.
We share your joy in the accomplishment of our undergraduates.
Today’s ceremony is being recorded and will be visible for viewing online at
seminary.ashland.edu/graduation.
We invite all graduates and their families to tour the Seminary campus and to visit
the Seminary Bookstore. There will be students on campus to provide tours and
assist with group photos.