UTS Celebrates 46th Commencement Ceremony
Twenty-five graduates from the class of 2021 and 2022 walked the stage to get their diplomas during the 46th Unification Theological Seminary (UTS) Commencement Ceremony on May 28. A momentous occasion for many, it was also the first in-person graduation since 2019.
“We congratulate all of our amazing, hardworking graduates,” said Dr. Thomas Ward. “It was nice to finally get together [since the pandemic began] and share this time with everyone,” he recalled during an FFWPU leaders’ meeting May 31.
After three years, Dr. Ward’s term as UTS president concluded during the ceremony. He is succeeded by Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Chairman Dr. Thomas Walsh, who serves as the seventh president of UTS. “God is emphasizing our need to be completely one in this very important next step that gives True Mother a chance to achieve many more great things with UTS,” said Dr. Ward. “Through UPF and Dr. Walsh’s leadership, we will be able to do remarkable things in making an impact upon peace, as well as keeping alive our theological tradition.”
The commencement ceremony, held at the 43rd Street office building in Manhattan, also featured graduates’ induction into Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honor society for religious studies and theology. Dr. Chung Sik Yong, Regional President, FFWPU North America, delivered the keynote address, and UTS graduates Rev. Naokimi Ushiroda, President, FFWPU USA, and Jinil Fleischman, CARP National President, also gave remarks. Two distinguished leaders were recognized with honorary doctorates as well.
Rev. Munib Younan, a Palestinian Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and Dr. Kathy Rigney of UPF Africa were both honored. “Bishop Younan is a remarkable person who is responsible for an accord that was signed — for the first time in 500 years — that brought together the Lutheran Church and the Catholic Church, recognizing this path needed to effect change,” said Dr. Ward. “He is very involved in Christian–Muslim dialogue, and also in the broader dialogue amongst Christians, Muslims and Jewish people in terms of the Holy Land ... and he recognizes the centrality Christianity has in bringing together Islam and Judaism.”
Dr. Ward noted Bishop Younan’s appreciation of True Mother and the Unification movement, having participated in the Rally of Hope and other interfaith initiatives. Bishop Younan received the Sunhak Peace Prize in 2020 for his work toward reconciliation.
Dr. Kathy Rigney, a longtime missionary, was honored for her incredible work in Africa over the last 47 years. During that time she experienced great hardship, Dr. Ward said, including imprisonment in Benin and being exiled to the Ivory Coast and Nigeria. “She experienced all kinds of struggles and difficulties, but she has always persevered with such an amazing record of achievement,” said Dr. Ward. “She brought four sitting presidents from Africa to participate in the last Rally of Hope ... and those results are from her incredible foundation.”
You can watch the full 46th UTS Commencement Ceremony here.