Roots and Wings
Belonging roots us in who we are, in where we come from, in the people and communities that have shaped us, in connection to creation and Creator. And, belonging gives us wings—the courage to pursue righteousness, to practice right relationship, to sow justice, and to cultivate God’s beloved community.
Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, 2026 Convocation Address
Welcome to Nancy McKee, who has joined DDH as Assistant Administrator. She has a background in finance and accounting and brings significant experience, resourcefulness, practicality, and strong relationship skills. She says, "I am looking forward to being part of the DDH crew."
Rachel Abdoler will become DDH's Assistant Dean in September in a new part-time position for the academic year. She will work with students to plan chapel services and programs as well as give leadership to various initiatives. She defended her PhD dissertation in May, earning "distinction," and was awarded the J. Coert Rylaarsdam Prize from the Divinity School at the June Convocation.
Week of Compassion sponsors a Summer Immersion in International Disaster Response for Disciples Seminarians. This summer, Fiyori Kidane, rising second year Scholar, and Amelia Richter, entering Scholar, will be in Pakistan and the Philippines, respectively, to learn about locally led response and "to better understand how faith communities accompany one another in moments of vulnerability and rebuilding."
Congrats to Delaney Bey, who was presented the Divinity School's Joseph Gray Rhind Award for excellence in preparation and notable promise for ministry. Delaney's Senior Ministry Project, Courage to be Church, identified theological and practical tools within the liberal Protestant tradition to help confront precarity with hope rather than fear, inviting churches to consider the power of faithful discipleship amid an uncertain future.
Convocation 2026. On Friday, June 5, DDH celebrated the close of its 131st academic year with a Convocation service in the Chapel of the Holy Grail, a cookout beforehand, and after, champagne toasts and dessert on the patio. Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson, chaplain, pastor, writer, and alumna, was this year's speaker.
Congratulations, graduates! MDiv graduates to the left: Lilia Ellis, Delaney Beh, and Delaney Wallace. PhD graduate Rachel Abdoler at center. AM graduates to the right: Wendy Hao Wang, Sai Srinivas, Ethan Yu, and Emma Yeager. Not pictured: Luke Soderstrom, PhD, and Noah Sveiven, AM.
