Celebrating Our Graduates

Bethany Theological Seminary will celebrate the classes of 2020 and 2021 during its Academic Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 8, at 11 a.m. (Eastern time). A small audience will gather in person in Nicarry Chapel, and a live stream will be available. For more information, or to watch, visit the Commencement page.

The featured speaker is Amy Gall Ritchie, M.Div. 93, (pictured at right) who served Bethany for fifteen years in student development. She is the founding Spiritual Director of Persimmon Studio and is a member of the pastoral staff at Manchester (Ind.) Church of the Brethren. The service will also include theopoetic contributions from students Julia Baker-Swann and Carol Davis and musical interludes performed by Carolyn Duning Ripp, organist. 

Bethany did not hold an in-person commencement ceremony in 2020 due to pandemic restrictions, so last year’s graduates were given the option to join the Class of 2021 to celebrate this year. The Seminary will honor the accomplishments of 13 graduates from the Class of 2020.  

The Class of 2021 includes seven recipients of the Master of Divinity degree, seven who earned Master of Arts degrees, and 10 who earned graduate certificates. This year’s class includes the first individuals to earn the Certificate in Biblical Peacemaking while attending classes at the Technology Centre in Jos, Nigeria. 

The in-person gathering is limited to 60 attendees to allow for social distancing between family groups. The Seminary anticipates that many people will choose to view the live stream online. 

“We are delighted to be able to share this celebration with both those who will join us in person as well as those who will watch from a distance,” says President Jeff Carter. “We are proud of these graduates, and we look forward to seeing the next chapters of their lives and ministries unfold — so that the world flourishes.” 

The individuals who will be honored in this ceremony are as follows: 

Class of 2020 

Certificate in Theopoetics and Theological Imagination 

Eric William Bader (Columbia, Missouri) 

Amy Beth Lutes (Nashville, Tennessee) 

Joanna Davidson Smith (McPherson, Kansas) 

Rachel Ulrich (Richmond, Indiana) 

Master of Arts  

Duane Edwin Crumrine (Martinsburg, Pennsylvania) 

Area of Concentration: Peace Studies 

Paul Bala Samura (Freetown, Sierra Leone) 

Area of Concentration: Peace Studies 

Master of Divinity 

Raul Gregorio Rivera Arroyo (Vega Baja, Puerto Rico and Kettering, Ohio) 

John Andrew Fillmore (Caldwell, Idaho) 

Susan K. Liller (New Carlisle, Ohio) 

Thomas Michael McMullin (Minburn, Iowa) 

Katherine Lynn Polzin (Defiance, Ohio) 

Jack Richard Roegner (Davenport, Nebraska) 

Elizabeth Ullery Swenson (Olympia, Washington)

Class of 2021 

Certificate in Biblical Peacemaking 

Maina Pindar (Jos, Nigeria)

Sanamo Kpanah (Demsa, Nigeria) 

Aimu Sunday (Jos, Nigeria)

Esther Zira (Kwarhi, Nigeria) 

Certificate in Intercultural Biblical Interpretation 

Vivek Ashokbhai Solanky (New Delhi, India and Naperville, Illinois) 

Certificate in Just Peace and Conflict Transformation

Charles D. Jackson (Champaign, Illinois)

Nolan Ryan McBride (Elkhart, Indiana) 

Certificate in Theopoetics and Theological Imagination 

Timothy Paul Harvey (Roanoke, Virginia)

Steven Troy Headings (Bay City, Michigan) 

Charles D. Jackson (Champaign, Illinois)

Meridith Anne Owensby (Cincinnati, Ohio) 

Alexandra Elizabeth Thorpe Toms (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) 

Master of Arts 

Patricia Doka Amos (Jos, Nigeria)

Area of Concentration: Peace Studies 

Jack Richard Roegner (Davenport, Nebraska) 

Area of Concentration: Theological Studies 

Rachel Elizabeth Ulrich (Richmond, Indiana) 

Area of Concentration: Peace Studies 

Master of Arts: Theopoetics and Writing 

Julia Baker-Swann (Fresno, California) 

Gene George Bradbury (Sequim, Washington) 

Carol Diane Davis (Canton, Illinois) 

Somer Brady O’Neill Eckert (Alexandria, Louisiana) 

Master of Divinity 

Amanda Sheree Bennett (Rancho Cucamonga, California) 

Mary A. Garvey (Huntingdon, Pennsylvania)

Steven Troy Headings (Bay City, Michigan)

Charles D. Jackson (Champaign, Illinois)

Katherine Ruth Peterson (Middletown, Ohio)

Vivek Ashokbhai Solanky (New Delhi, India and Naperville, Illinois) 

Alexandra Elizabeth Thorpe Toms (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania) 

The in-person gathering is limited to 60 people, in order to insure proper social distancing, and masks will be worn during the event.

Watch the live stream of Commencement here.