Dean Hempton shakes hands during, all dressed in academic robes

Video: Harvard Divinity School 2023 Multireligious Commencement Service

July 28, 2023

Graduating students, members of the HDS community, family, and friends took part in the Harvard Divinity School 2023 Multireligious Commencement Service.... Read more about Video: Harvard Divinity School 2023 Multireligious Commencement Service

Dean Hempton and students walking to the HDS campus

'Share Your Joy with Others': Celebrating 2023 Commencement

June 1, 2023

"On this joyous day, surrounded by your loved ones, I hope and pray this is the kind of love that will propel you forward, through your certainties and uncertainties, through the rest of our lives."—Class Speaker Breana Norris, MTS '23... Read more about 'Share Your Joy with Others': Celebrating 2023 Commencement

Breana Norris speaking at a clear podium wearing an academic robe

'Love That Grounds Us'

May 25, 2023

Breana Norris, MTS '23, was selected by a panel of students, staff, and faculty as the class speaker for HDS Commencement 2023. Each year, the addresses of all of the finalists are published in the HDS Commencement Bulletin. The following remarks were delivered by Norris at the Diploma Awarding Ceremony on May 25, 2023.... Read more about 'Love That Grounds Us'

There’s More to Life Than Money, but Still …

May 24, 2023

"It’s very important that students understand that the way ahead is going to be a lot about struggle — not only their personal struggles, but social struggles, and that their struggles ought to be in the service of the collective, of the family, of the group," says HDS Professor Davíd Carrasco.

Bells to Ring on Commencement Day

May 24, 2023

For the 36th year, a number of neighboring churches and institutions will ring their bells, including the bell in Swartz Hall, in celebration of the city of Cambridge and of Harvard’s 372nd Commencement Exercises.

Dean David Hempton standing behind a clear podium dressed in a light blue academic robe

'A Moment for Saving Time and Saving Ourselves'

May 23, 2023

Dean of the Faculty of Divinity, Alonzo L. McDonald Family Professor of Evangelical Theological Studies, and John Lord O'Brian Professor of Divinity David N. Hempton was the faculty speaker during the Multireligious Commencement Service on May 24, 2023. The following remarks were delivered by Hempton during the service on the HDS Campus Green.... Read more about 'A Moment for Saving Time and Saving Ourselves'

Graduate Profile: Melín A. Sotiriou Droz, MTS '23

May 22, 2023

How I've Changed 

These last two years have taught me much about my heritage, character, and the critical life lesson of interpreting surrender as a form of strength instead of a form of quitting. For my Greek lineage, I grew deeper in my Greek Orthodox faith, taking a class at Hellenic College Holy Cross and modern Greek language lessons. For my Puerto Rican lineage, I researched the religious and state symbolism in the island's coat of arms, which ended with me at the CUNY Center for Puerto Rican Studies, learning about the federal interventions in...

Love of Grandmother’s Garden Blossoms into Climate Justice Activism

May 17, 2023

Graduating MDiv candidate Aliyah Collins’s nonprofit aims to help HBCU students make spiritual connections with nature, and launch conversations about environmental equity.

Ryan standing in front of the ocean and smiling at the camera

Graduate Profile: Ryan Zoellner, MTS '23

May 16, 2023

How I've Changed

HDS has given me the academic background and interpersonal experience to articulate the importance of religion in policy settings. HDS has also helped me expand my familiarity with my region of focus and given me the tools to work across cultures.

Memorable Moment

This fall, I had the opportunity to host the Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Iraq, for a lecture at HDS. I was able to meet Archbishop Warda during my summer in Erbil, and the opportunity to bring some piece of that...

Graduate Profile: Rosemary Dodd, MDiv '23

May 16, 2023

Favorite Class or Professor

"Unitarian and Universalist History" and "Liberal and Liberation Theologies in Dialogue" with Dr. Dan McKanan truly taught me so much about my own faith tradition and the broader world and brought me grounding and challenge. Dr. Giovanna Parmigiani allowed me to explore my pagan roots and supported my chaplaincy skillset. Dr. Anne Braude's "Spiritual Paths to Abstract Art" and Chris Hossfeld's "Leading Music in Ritual" both brought joy and art into the everyday academic world!

Message of Thanks...

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