Concordia Seminary, St. Louis is pleased to make available for viewing a short video containing highlights of its 2007 Commencement exercises. The video may be viewed free of charge online at www.cslmedia.org/commencement. The Commencement exercises took place at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, in the Seminary’s main quadrangle, bringing to a close its 168th academic year.

The Commencement speaker was The Honorable John M. Shimkus, congressman, United States House of Representatives, from the 19th District of Illinois. Following his address, 130 students were recipients of master of divinity degrees. This is the academic degree that most students who desire to be pastors, missionaries or chaplains in the LCMS receive. In addition to the master of divinity degrees, the Seminar awarded one master of arts in deaconess studies degree, eight master of arts degrees and four doctor of ministry degrees.

Two master of arts students previously received their degrees on Aug. 4, 2006. One doctor of philosophy student received his degree on Nov. 10, 2006. Four master of divinity students received their degrees on Feb. 16, 2007.

Thirteen students were recognized as candidates for completion of the certificate program (alternate route). Upon successful completion of a one-year vicarage (internship), these students will be certified as eligible to receive a call and serve as pastors, missionaries or chaplains in the LCMS.

Four individuals were selected by the Concordia Seminary faculty to receive special honors during the Commencement exercises. Carl A. Rausch of St. Louis, Mo., and The Honorable John Shimkus of Collinsville, Ill., received the Christus Vivit Awards; The Reverend Doctor Julius Jenkins of Selma, Ala., received the honorary degree of doctor of letters; and The Reverend Emile Lussambu Mbugatodu Dongo of Dapaong, Togo, Africa, received the honorary degree of doctor of divinity.

For more information, contact Communications, Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; (314) 505-7374; communications@csl.edu.