Bethany to Hold Commencement

Bethany Theological Seminary will hold commencement for the class of 2019 on Saturday, May 11. Master of divinity and master of arts degrees and graduate certificates will be granted to eighteen students. The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Nicarry Chapel. Those interested in attending the ceremony may contact the President’s Office at president@bethanyseminary.edu or 765-983-1803.

The commencement address will be given by Bishop Staccato Powell, presiding prelate of the Western Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He is also an adjunct professor in the DMin program at Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina, and is a member of the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches as the AME Zion representative. Bishop Powell holds an MA from Duke University and a JD from North Carolina Central University.

Throughout his career, Bishop Powell has been committed to human service. Most recently he pastored Grace AME Zion in Raleigh, North Carolina, following pastorates in St. Louis, Missouri, and other North Carolina congregations. He served as coordinator of the Great Gathering of the AME Zion, AME, and Christian Methodist Episcopal denominations in 2010, which focused on stemming the incarceration of young African-American men. In addition to previous positions as CEO of Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America and deputy secretary of the National Council of Churches, Bishop Powell has served on the National Board of the Interfaith Alliance and the World Methodist Council, among other leadership groups.

Following tradition, a worship service open to the public will be led by graduating seniors on Friday, May 10, at 5:00 p.m. in Nicarry Chapel.