Graduation 2012Monday’s commencement exercises began with rain and students huddled under umbrellas, but they ended with sunshine and more than 100 new Candler graduates posing with their diplomas.

Emory University conferred more than 4,100 degrees on May 14; among those were 86 Master of Divinity, 25 Master of Theological Studies, three Master of Theological Studies/Juris Doctor, one Master of Divinity/Master of Public Health, nine Master of Theology, and two Doctor of Theology degrees. 

In all, Candler awarded 126 degrees at a diploma ceremony immediately following the all-schools ceremony on Emory’s quadrangle. Candler Dean Jan Love, who presided over the diploma ceremony in Glenn Memorial Auditorium, also recognized David L. Petersen, who is retiring, and Rex Matthews, who received the Emory Williams Teaching Award. 

In her remarks to the graduates, Love referenced a song – “The Whole Flat World,” by Maia Sharp – in explaining that one of the goals of theological education is to expand students’ ideas of what the world actually looks like. With degrees in hand, she said, the graduates were now ready to teach others that the world can be bigger than they previously thought. Indeed, this class had transformed their world, as Love noted the Class of 2012’s commitment to social justice, community building, rich worship experiences, and philanthropy. 

Following the diploma ceremony, Candler hosted a celebratory lunch for graduates and their families and friends.