Dear Starr King Friends,
It was all joy and a few tears at Starr King's Commencement
Celebration on May 20, as you can see in this montage of photos. Rejoicing with one of the largest
graduating classes in our history, we gave thanks for the journey completed and
the path ahead for each of our graduates. Many will go on to serve as Unitarian Universalist ministers. Some will be continuing on for Ph.D.
studies. Others, such as our four
graduates of the Master of Arts in Religious Leadership for Social Change, will
be bringing multifaith, progressive religious voices into the public square on
pressing social issues.
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In a beautiful evolution of Starr King tradition, this year
instead of each graduate speaking for two minutes, many of the graduates chose
to combine their offerings into group presentations of music, poetry,
reflections and prayer. The ensemble
pieces, along with those who spoke individually, revealed how Starr King's
commitment to education that honors the unfolding of each soul also fosters vibrant
communal efforts and creative interchange. Special thanks to our Provost, Ibrahim
Farajaje' (profile), our Dean of Students, Becky Leyser, and our Registrar, Katrina Croswell, for
their leadership in guiding the development of our traditions.
We presented an honorary doctorate to Mr. Danny Glover, in absentia, for his remarkable social
justice work. Mr. Glover has graced
Starr King over the past two years, speaking to classes and lending his support
and presence to events sponsored by our M.A.S.C. program, directed by Dr.
Gabriella Lettini (profile). Rev. Lindi Ramsden, Executive Director of the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California, and an esteemed graduate of Starr King, was awarded an honorary
doctorate for her exemplary ministry translating progressive religious values
into legislative change.
In a moment of special tenderness for the Starr King
community, we presented an honorary doctorate posthumously to Professor Patti Lawrence, and an M.Div. posthumously to Kevin Drewery. We give thanks for these who sojourned with
us and inspired us with their love for life.
At Commencement we catch a glimpse in each graduate of the
transformative impact of our educational work.
I offer my deep gratitude to you and to all our Starr King friends,
donors, graduates and supporters whose gifts make our work possible.
We are boldly moving forward with our Unitarian
Universalist commitment to multi-religious, counter-oppressive theological
education for the 21st century.
We welcome your support as we prepare now for the new students we will
be welcoming in August -- another good-sized entering class is on the way!
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