Drew University Theological School
Graduation Hooding Ceremony
PRELUDE
PROCESSIONAL* INVOCATION*
WELCOME
CHARGE TO THE CANDIDATES
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
FOR DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
PRESENTATION OF THE CANDIDATES
FOR DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
MUSICAL SELECTION
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
FOR MASTER OF SACRED THEOLOGY
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
FOR MASTER OF ARTS
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN MINISTRY
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES
FOR MASTER OF DIVINITY
SENDING FORTH* RECESSIONAL*
POSTLUDE
Liebeslied “Widmung” (Op. 25, No. 1), S.566
Composed by Robert Schumann, arranged by Franz Liszt
Procesion Alegre
Composed by Garry A. Cornell
The Rev. Dr. Tanya Linn Bennett
University Chaplain
Dr. MaryAnn Baenninger
President of the University
The Rev. Dr. Javier A. Viera
Dean of the Theological School
Dr. Stephen Moore
Chair of the Graduate Division of Religion
Dr. Carl Savage
Director of the DMin Program
“In Unity We Lift Our Song” (EIN FESTE BURG)
Words by Ken Medema
Dr. Hyo Dong Lee
Director of the STM Program
Dr. Deirdre Good
Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Dr. J. Terry Todd
Director of the MAM Program
Dr. Good
The Rev. Dr. Viera
Trumpet Voluntary, Andante Largo
Composed by John Stanley
Sonata No. 14, “Moonlight” (Op. 27, No. 2)
Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven
Andrew Filippone
Trumpet
YoungKwang Jun
Piano
*Please stand if you are able.
Doctor of Philosophy Candidates
Biblical Studies
Christy Lee Cobb
Matthew Timothy Riley
BA, Indiana University, 2002; MS, Pace University, 2005; MAR, Yale Divinity School, 2008; MPhil, Drew University, 2012
Dissertation: “Reading Beyond Roots: The Theological and Weberian Aspects of Lynn White’s Scholarship”
Committee: Laurel Kearns, Catherine Keller, J. Terry Todd, Willis Jenkins
BA, Carson-Newman College, 2000; MDiv, Campbell University Divinity School, 2006; MA, Wake Forest University, 2010
Theological and Philosophical Studies
Dissertation: “Slave-Girls Speaking Truth: Slavery and Gender in Luke-Acts and Other Ancient Narratives”
Committee: Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, Stephen Moore, Virginia Burrus
Karen Suzanne Bray*
Woo Min Lee
BA, Korea University, 2002; MDiv, Hyupsung Theological Seminary, 2005; MTS, Harvard Divinity School, 2007;
MAR, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, 2009
Dissertation: “Language of Power in the Simile, ‘Like a Bird in a Cage’: Critical Discourse Analysis of
the Assyrian Royal Lion Hunt and Sennacherib’s Military Campaign against Hezekiah of Judah”
Committee: Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, Herbert Huffmon, Kenneth Ngwa
Historical Studies
BA, Eugene Lang College of New School University, 2005; MDiv, Harvard Divinity School, 2010
Dissertation: “Unredeemed: a Political Theology of Affect, Time, and Worth”
Committee: Catherine Keller, Traci West, Stephen Moore
Terra Trichelle Schwerin Rowe*
BA, Luther College, 2003; STM, The Lutheran Seminary at Philadelphia, 2009
Dissertation: “Toward a ‘Better Worldliness’: Economy, Ecology, and the Protestant Tradition”
Committee: Catherine Keller, Christopher Boesel, John Hoffmeyer
Abigail Turner-Lauck Wernicki*
Geoffrey Nathan Pollick*
BA, Randolph College, 2003; MA, Drew University, 2007
Dissertation: “Between Chautauqua and Washington Square: Religious Liberalism and Political
Radicalism in the Thought of Annis Ford Eastman and Max Eastman”
Committee: J. Terry Todd, Morris Davis, Wyatt Evans
Lydia York
BA, University of Puget Sound, 2002; MA, Claremont School of Theology, 2006; MPhil, Drew University, 2009
Louis Benjamin Rolsky
BA, Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University, 2006; MA, Claremont School of Theology, 2008; MAR,
Yale Divinity School, 2010
Dissertation: “The Aesthetics of Loss: Rethinking Schopenhauer’s Theory of the Sublime”
Committee: Robert S. Corrington, Hyo-Dong Lee, Sandra Shapshay
BA, The College of William and Mary, 1991; MDiv, Chicago Theological Seminary, 2003
Dissertation: “Chora: Feminist Theological Cosmology and Psychoanalysis in an Age of Teletechnology”
Committee: Catherine Keller, Robert S. Corrington, Arthur Pressley
*Awarded with distinction
Dissertation: “Norman Lear and the Spiritual Politics of Religious Liberalism”
Committee: J. Terry Todd, Morris Davis, Courtney Bender
Doctor of Ministry Candidates
Liturgical Studies
Nam Joong Kim
BTh, Hanshin University, 1998; ThM, Graduate School of Hanshin University, 2000; STM, Drew University, 2008;
MPhil, Drew University, 2012
Worship, Spirituality and Preaching
Faculty: The Rev. Dr. Heather Elkins; The Rev. Dr. Gary Simpson; Dr. Kathleen Flood, OP
Dissertation: “Preaching for Social Transformation and Anti-Discrimination in the Context of the
Korean Presbyterian Church (1990–2012)”
Committee: Heather Murray Elkins, Gary V. Simpson, S. Wesley Ariarajah
David Ahn
Religion and Society
George Akins, Jr.
Christopher Alan Haynes
BS, Vanderbilt University, 1996; MDiv, Vanderbilt University, 1999
Dissertation: “Take Authority to Preach the Word of God: Stratified Social Relationships among
Clergy in a United Methodist Annual Conference”
Committee: Laurel Kearns, Jody Caldwell, Traci West
Charon Marie Hribar*
BA, Mercyhurst College, 2002; MDiv, Union Theological Seminary, 2007
Dissertation: “Poverty in the Midst of Plenty: Structural Violence, Liberationist Ethics, and the
Right to Not Be Poor”
Committee: Traci West, Christopher Boesel, Elias Ortega-Aponte
Thesis: “How the ‘Ae Deul’ Second Generation Korean Americans Can Become Responsible Christian Adults”
A church planter at heart, Ahn tackles the hard work of generational difference within the Korean Churches.
By transforming words and images, Ahn calls for a richer understanding of the nurtured faith.
Thesis: “Practices in Faith Formation and Discipleship Toward the Next Generation Church at Refuge
Temple Church of God in Christ, Englewood, New Jersey”
Akins’ project and thesis is directed toward the next generation of believers in the neighborhood of Refugee Temple
Church in Englewood. Using insight and outreach, history, hospitality and hard facts, this congregation and pastor have
dared to become “part of the neighborhood” with its diversity for the sake of discipleship that is truly Pentecostal (Acts 2).
Kyeoung Soo Lee
Thesis: “The Reformation of the Household Church Worship: Finding Effective Ways of Leaving
Spiritual Legacies to the Next Generation”
In his project, Lee addresses the challenges of the church’s lasting relevance. How is the legacy of the faith passed on?
Lee uses the model of the House Church to create a space for intergenerational sharing.
Carol Lynn Patterson
Thesis: “Gathered for Worship and Word: Scattered to Witness to the World”
Patterson’s work is an example of transformative education and evangelism that will strengthen congregational life
for years to come. This dynamic engagement of pastors and people is a powerful testimony to a church that is alive
to the Gospel and the world that God loves.
Theresa Helena Smith
Thesis: “Equipping Leadership for Servanthood Discipleship”
Smith called her congregation to grow in their discipleship by living out servanthood leadership. Her project was
the model for this growth process. She modeled servanthood leadership in her role as pastor.
Monty DeVon Witherspoon-Brown
Thesis: “Soul Food Theology: The Proclamation of Health and Wellness”
Witherspoon-Brown has generated a lifelong program of preaching and pastoral care with his text. This initial
foray into the healing work of communion and communication (preaching and eating) has the potential to grow
as a book that will benefit congregations beyond his own A.M.E. tradition.
Community of Shalom–California
Faculty: The Rev. Dr. Michael Christensen; The Rev. Dr. Robert Duncan, Jr.
Steven Ray Neal
Thesis: “Experiencing and Expressing Shalom as Spiritual Formation”
Neal’s project was focused on asset-based community development in the local church. He used a creative approach
in the form of Shalom Safaris to get the church out into the community to explore opportunities for ministry.
Global/Online
Faculty: The Rev. Dr. J. Terry Todd; The Rev. Dr. Richard Diamond
Christopher Carl Aiken
Thesis: “Chaplains’ Support for Staff ”
As coordinating chaplain of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, Aiken developed an
extensively researched study focusing on the ministry of chaplains to hospital staff, underscoring the importance of
building and maintaining relationships with staff members and their families. Aiken’s detailed analysis provides
profound insight into how and why a chaplain takes on multiple roles in the spiritually diverse and professionally
complex environment of a metropolitan hospital.
Nora Elizabeth Colmenares
Thesis: “From Sameness to Multicultural: Lessons from the Journey”
Colmenares’ work with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church led her to investigate
how monocultural churches successfully navigated the transition to lively, innovative multicultural churches. Colmenares
identifies the limitations of typical church mission strategies and analyzes the difficult negotiations, leadership
requirements, and ethical and theological commitments that can lead to successful reinventions of the local church.
Robert Seth Feinberg
Korean Missional Church
Faculty: The Rev. Dr. Younglae Kim; The Rev. Dr. Leonard Sweet; The Rev. Dr. Byoungho Zoh
Dongku Kang
Thesis: “The Utilization of Tong Bible Guide in Small Group Bible Reading: A Case Study of the
Methodist Church with Vision, Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea”
Bible reading dramatically turned the congregation upside down. Small groups became vital missional forces
with the story of Jesus.
Kyoungtae Kang
Thesis: “A Study of Bible Tongdok on the Comprehension of Sermon: A Case Study of the
Moohak Church, Seoul, Korea”
Reading through the Bible made the congregation picture the pastor’s sermons vividly through Bible Tondok.
Biblical sermons helped the congregation grow in spirit.
Gwangjung Kim
Thesis: “The Benefits of Tong Bible Quiet Time in Congregational Development: A Case Study of
Tong Church, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Korea”
Everyday with Bible meditation made the congregation spiritually joyful. Tong Bible quiet time helped the
congregation grasp the Bible holistically.
Hansung Kim
Thesis: “A Study on the Bible Listening through the Tong Bible Method: With Focus on 48 Hours
Chronological Order of the Bible Listening and Listening to the Bible Ten Times in One Year”
Bible listening opens one’s spiritual organ, auditory sense, wide and clear. From reading and listening, the Bible
comes easily to us in our daily living.
Munyeoun Kim
Thesis: “A Study on the Influence of Biblical Faith upon Church Construction: A Case Study of
Dukjang Church, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea”
Church building construction becomes an opportunity of faith growth. Biblical faith embodies in the church
building as well as the body of Christ.
Seungmo Ko
Thesis: “The Impact of Narraphor Preaching on the Tong Bible Formula for the Congregation:
A Case Study of Haman Jungang Methodist Church”
The Biblical story based sermons helped the congregation experience God intimately. The congregation becomes the
Bible-loving community.
Thesis: “Leaving Home and Moving In: A New Chapter in a Congregation’s Life”
Feinberg oversaw the transition of his Jewish congregation from its historic location in downtown Dayton, Ohio,
to a new sacred space in the suburbs. His project is an insightful study of the power of memory as it confronts the
realities of change. Feinberg identifies and extends a current of Jewish thought that values leaving home above going
home, and calls for an ethic of risk to guide a congregation through challenging decision-making.
Jinsuck Lee
Kelley Eileen O’Connor–Recipient of the Robert J. Duncan, Jr. Prize
Byungjae Moon
Thesis: “A Study on the Influence of Tong Bible Reading in the Mobilization of Vocational Mission:
A Case Study of Kyeong-nam Provincial Police Agency Christian Association”
This was an excellent case of the Bible-centered workplace mission. The Bible reading provides a time and place for
faith community.
Thesis: “Surviving the Storm: Church Online 24/7”
O’Connor saw a need in the community around her United Methodist congregation in northern California: Sunday
morning was not working the way it used to, even for those who wanted to go to church. As a means of evangelism
and outreach, O’Connor and a group of lay leaders created a dynamic, interactive online church—churchtogether.com
—and in so doing, rethought much of what “church” could become in a fast-paced, mobile world.
Thesis: “A Study of the Influence of Tong/Narraphor Preaching on Congregational Development:
A Case Study of Hana Church, Seoul, Korea”
Biblical stories and metaphors help the congregation witness Jesus’ story. This study proved that the Bible is the key
to congregational development.
Gregory Kyle Stanislaus
Thesis: “A Study on Faith Growth through One Year Reading of Tong Bible: A Case Study of
Eoyang Church, Jeollabuk-do, Korea”
This project shows that the Bible is one story of Jesus. One year Bible reading becomes one year of Jesus’ story
reading for the congregation.
Thesis: “Finding the Formula for Connecting the Church in the Lives of Teenagers/Young Adults”
Stanislaus began his project as a search for strategies to bring disinterested young people into his church, yet his
research led him to question simple church-growth strategies. Drawing on decades of experience as a teacher and
administrator in New York City public schools, he worked to connect with at-risk youth. He uses sociopolitical
analysis of racism and inequality to understand the home and community contexts of three cohorts of young people,
identifying needs and assets as he and his church continue to develop innovative programs for youth outreach.
Kwangseog Yun
Master of Sacred Theology Candidates
Rhian Alice Jeong
Janeide A. Matthews-Chillis
Emmanuel Reggy-Odilon Philor
Master of Arts Candidates
Sangjung Lee
Bonnie Jean McCorkindale
Joo-Hyun Moon
Daehyun Park
Graham Hays Stetler
Min Um
Master of Arts in Ministry Candidates
Christine J. Baxter
Jane Kay Bowman
Yolanda Evette Croswell
Sentheia Loren McLeod
Master of Divinity Candidates
Elizabeth Carol Abel
Shikaorsor Ademu-John
Philip Nelson Anderson
J. Albert Barchue
Celeste D. Bethea-Coleman
Kellie Bittar-Quarles
Odessia Nicole Brown
Janine Carambot
Margaret H. Crilly
Claudet Hernandez Cruz
Juanita Dunbar
Nikki Lynn Edleman
Kaiyra A. Greer
Christopher David Hardy
M. Elouise Hill-Challenger
Ngoy Nadine Ilunga
Chelsea Corinne Jackson
Seungho Jung
Taejong Kim
Young Je Kim
Younggeun Kim
Wen-Ling Lai
Heejo Lee
Keunsik Lee
Parker Todd Loesch
Eyesha Kuturah Marable
Nikenson Mathurin
Nilsa Olivero
Linda Cobb Ott
Eun Hye Park
Soonil Park
Pedro Antonio Pillot
Debra D. Prescott
Jordan Rice
Melaine Robyn Rochford
Philip Salter
Jiye Seo
Yonghwan Shin
April J. Suddreth
Noble Betty Thomas
Nikisha Turner
Susanah Elizabeth Wade
Barbara Lynnette Whitlow
Douglas Adrian Wilkins
Joanna M. Willis-Kanyali
Claire Hojung Wu
Ji Sun Yang
The Robert J. Duncan, Jr. Prize
Drew University Theological School
Administration
MaryAnn Baenninger, PhD
President
Javier A. Viera, EdD
Dean
Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, ThD
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
(on leave)
Morris Davis, PhD
Associate Professor of History
of Christianity and Wesleyan
Methodist Studies
Heather Murray Elkins, PhD
F.W. Hannan Professor of Worship,
Preaching and the Arts
Danna Nolan Fewell, PhD
J.F. Hurst Professor of Hebrew Bible
Deirdre Good, ThD
Interim Associate Dean for
Academic Affairs
Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, ThD
Associate Professor of New
Testament and Early Christianity
Virginia Samuel, DMin
Associate Dean
Laurel Kearns, PhD
Associate Professor of Sociology of
Religion and Environmental Studies
Tanya Linn Bennett, PhD
University Chaplain
Emily Cyrier, MA
Director of Academic and
Student Services
Kevin Miller, DMin
Director of Admissions
Carl Savage, PhD
Director of Doctor of Ministry
Jesse Mann, PhD
Theological Librarian
Lisa Marie Gerondeau, MA
Director of Advancement
Katherine Brown, MA
Director of ESOL
Catherine Keller, PhD
G.T. Cobb Professor of Constructive
Theology
Hyo-Dong Lee, PhD
Associate Professor of Comparative
Theology
Gerald Liu, PhD
Assistant Professor of Homiletics
and Worship Arts
J. Terry Todd, PhD
Associate Professor of American
Religious History
Javier A. Viera, EdD
Professor of Pastoral Theology
Traci West, PhD
J.W. Pearsall Professor of Christian
Ethics and African American
Studies
Nancy Lynne Westfield, PhD
Associate Professor of Religious
Education
Staff
Rhian Jeong
Dean’s Office
Kenneth Ngwa, PhD
Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible
Robert S. Corrington, PhD
H. A. Buttz Professor of
Philosophical Theology
Leonard Sweet, PhD
E.S. Jones Professor of Evangelism
Stephen Moore, PhD
E.S. Janes Professor of New
Testament
Faculty
Established in 2003 through a gift from Robert and Dorothy Duncan, Drew alumni and United Methodist liaisons,
in honor of their son, Robert J. Duncan, Jr., Dean’s Fellow and first to graduate from the charter class of the Global/
Online program in 1999.
Althea Spencer-Miller, PhD
Assistant Professor of New
Testament
Jennifer East
Dean’s Office
Amy Beth Jones, PhD
Director of External Relations
Christopher Boesel, PhD
Associate Professor of Christian
Theology
Angella Pak Son, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
and Religion
Mark Miller, MM
Associate Professor of Church Music
Kevin Newburg, PhD
Instructor in the History of
Christianity
An annual cash prize presented to a Global/Online Doctor of Ministry student whose project thesis is singularly
distinguished by creativity and innovative use of technology, as nominated by faculty advisers, qualified by the
program director and confirmed by the academic dean.
Gary V. Simpson, DMin
Associate Professor of Homiletics
Elias Ortega-Aponte, PhD
Assistant Professor of Afro-Latina/o
Religions and Cultural Studies
Kate Ott, PhD
Assistant Professor of Christian
Social Ethics
Arthur Pressley, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychology
and Religion
Gloria Kovach
DMin Office
Wendy Parrinello
GDR Office
Lisa Sullivan
Admissions Office
Alma Tuitt
Dean’s Office
Sharon Williams
Faculty Office
“In Unity We Lift Our Song” (EIN FESTE BURG)
Words by Ken Medema