Concordia Seminary, St. Louis recognized 106 students and five honorees at Commencement May 20 on campus.

Of the 106 participants, 77 earned the Master of Divinity degree, 11 earned the Master of Arts degree, four earned the Master of Arts in Deaconess Studies and one student earned a Master of Sacred Theology degree. In addition, 10 students completed doctoral degrees: four earned the Doctor of Ministry degree and six earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Four Residential Alternate Route (RAR) students took part in Commencement as well; they have completed their academic residency and they will receive their RAR certificate. One of the students is eligible for ordination and three of the four students will be eligible for ordination once they complete their one-year vicarage assignments.

“Congratulations to our graduates!” said Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer. “America has lost its center and the world seems to be coming apart. At this critical time, our graduates are heading to centers of hope and help for souls and society, the congregations of Jesus Christ set in communities that need a good word from God. May He bless their ministries!”

Commencement activities began with the Theological Diploma Service in the Seminary’s Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus Friday morning. Dr. James W. Voelz, the Dr. Jack Dean Kingsbury Professor of New Testament Theology and graduate professor of exegetical theology, delivered the sermon.

“What a glorious calling this is for you!” Voelz told the pastoral and deaconess students. “How enriched God’s flock will be through you!”

The Seminary awarded an honorary doctorate to Rev. Ralph Blomenberg, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, Ind., and chairman of the Seminary’s Board of Regents.

The Seminary’s faculty presented the Christus Vivit award to Mr. and Mrs. Peter Faris Peck in recognition of their exemplary service to the Church. The Seminary’s faculty also presented the Distinguished Alumnus Award to Dr. Ronald D. Rall, pastor of Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis, and Rev. Arthur Simon, president emeritus of Bread for the World. Learn more about the honorees here.

Blomenberg gave the Commencement address Friday night outdoors in the Seminary’s Main Quadrangle.

“Responding to Christ’s call and through the power of the Holy Spirit, Concordia Seminary is unleashing on the world this class,” Blomenberg told the graduates. “Small in number, you will have a disproportionate impact. For you bring hope as you bring Jesus and His power to bear on the world.”

At the conclusion of Commencement, Meyer addressed the graduates, saying, “Concordia Seminary is all about Jesus Christ. We send you forth as servants of the One who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for us and for many. I now declare the 177th year of Concordia Seminary to be closed in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Not unto us, oh Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and thy truth’s sake [Psalm 115:1].”

To learn more about Commencement, view photos and read about the 2016 honorees, visit www.csl.edu/commencement.

About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.