NEW YORK – On Saturday, May 26th, the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) will hold its forty-second Commencement for the Class of 2018 at its midtown Manhattan campus located at 4 W. 43rd Street. Friends and alumni of UTS are invited to the Commencement Exercises which begin at 2 P.M.
This year’s Commencement Address will be given by Dr. Ki Hoon Kim, Continental Chair, Family Federation (FFWPU).
Sixteen students will receive Masters degrees: Master of Religious Education (M.R.E.), Master of Arts (M.A.) in Religious Studies or Master of Divinity (M.Div.), while three others will be honored with a Doctor of Ministry (DMin.) degree. The 19 graduates represent five different countries – India, Nigeria, the Philippines, Rwanda, and the United States – highlighting the global outreach of UTS.
The program will open with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by welcoming remarks from Dr. Andrew Wilson, Professor of Scriptural Studies, and the Invocation by Dr. Kathy Winings, Professor of Religious Education
Following the Invocation, Mr. Karlsun Allen will sing “I Hope You Dance,” the first of his two musical offerings.
We invite you to come to 4W43 in New York City and share the importance of the Class of 2018’s Academic accomplishments together with their families and their friends.
Dr. Hugh Spurgin, President of UTS, will then perform the Conferring of Degrees and offer Congratulatory Remarks, and Mr. George Glass (M.A.) and Dr. John Paul James (D.Min.) will give the graduate responses.
Dr. Keisuke Noda, Academic Dean, will hand out student service and achievement awards to this year’s winners, followed by the song “Wait and See,” by Mr. Allen.
At the conclusion of Dr. Kim’s address, the closing Benediction will be offered by Dr. Lillian Miles, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry.
A reception for all graduates, family members and invited guests will follow at approx.3:30 P.M.
“God is not a being who dwells in doctrines, nor is God restricted by rituals and forms; God is the creator of the universe as a living spirit. Religions are intended to be the exemplars to all mankind of correct teaching. God’s heart aches the most when He sees religions struggle because of conflicts among their own denominations or when they fight against other religions.” Rev. Sun Myung Moon, co-founder of UTS. Commencement Address June,1987