Inside Look: UTS Celebrates 47th Commencement
“It is hard to believe that it has been 47 years since the founders Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon founded UTS as an institution to raise up leaders who make an impact on our world for the sake of building a universal holy community — one family under God,” said Dr. Young Chong Song, a featured commencement speaker and newly appointed international president of FFWPU. “We cannot create a world of goodness without centering on God,” he said. “If we lose our connection to God, we will not be able to solve our problems.”
In his opening address, Dr. Song noted True Parents' desire for UTS students to “develop a deep foundation” in theological, religious, and peace studies that can equip them with skills to better serve the world as public-minded leaders. On May 27, some 24 graduates were honored during the 47th Annual UTS Commencement Ceremony held at the 43rd Street campus in Manhattan. Eleven graduates received a Master of Arts in Religious Studies; six graduates received a Master of Religious Education; one graduate received a Master of Arts in Peace Studies; one graduate received a Certificate in Unification Leadership, and five graduates were awarded a Doctor of Ministry.
Since opening its doors in September 1975, True Parents have urged UTS students — and religious people at large — to participate in world affairs, calling it “crucial” that believers “speak for the spiritual and moral purposes of all humanity,” True Father wrote in his autobiography, As a Peace-Loving Global Citizen (2009).
More recently, True Mother has emphasized peace studies at UTS, stating, “The purpose of all these schools is to ensure that increasing numbers of talented young people who know God’s heart have access to education to support their commitment to creating a peaceful world,” she wrote in her memoir, Mother of Peace (2020).
Hon. Ján Figel, a featured commencement speaker and honorary UTS Doctor of Humane Letters recipient, spoke of his time as European Commission special envoy for the promotion of religious freedom outside the EU from 2016 to 2019. “It was a time of massive atrocities committed by terrorists and militants ... against religious and minority people in Iraq and Syria,” said the Slovak politician, who has spoken at a number of international peace events organized by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) over the years.
“I visited many countries in order to deal with freedom of faith or belief, and promote interfaith dialogue and responsibility,” Hon. Figel said before stating that the collective power of believers is necessary to surmount global issues. “I’m glad I could find like-minded people in the UPF ... hardworking, networking — this is the recipe for a successful outcome,” he said.
Applauding the Class of 2023, UTS President Dr. Thomas Walsh noted they are prepared “at the deepest level of what is needed in the world today,” he said. “You are dealing with the root causes of historical development and transformation ... as well as the root causes of civilizational decline.”
“We have to get this point right,” he continued. “Mother Moon has emphasized the importance of this institution ... Please keep this in mind as you go forward in your various careers.”
You can watch the full 47th Annual UTS Commencement Ceremony here.