The Rev. Dr. Paul Smith '60 Inspires 2023 Graduates

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The Rev. Dr. Paul Smith '60, a civil rights activist and mentee of Howard Thurman, regaled graduates on Friday, May 12, about his time at then-Hartford Seminary and how it set him on a path toward his work in building the "beloved community" of which Thurman spoke. 

"I am what I am today because I was here in this sacred space," he said.

The Rev. Dr. Smith challenged the graduates to speak out against racism and injustice, quoting Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays, former president of Morehouse College, as saying, "I'd rather go to hell by choice than drift into heaven with the crowds."

"What scares me is that we've become so silent and afraid," he said. "Move your little ship away from the safety of the shore."

Graduates from a variety of programs also heard from President Joel N. Lohr, who referenced the words of a student in the MA in Peacebuilding (MAP) program. That student, Dogara Danbaba, said at a community prayer service in April that people at Hartford International University "speak the language of kindness."

"Our thanks is to you," President Lohr told the graduates. "You speak this language, you teach us, you bless us. I'm so deeply grateful to all of you."

The graduation ceremony featured music from student performers, including a medley of traditional Indonesian and Greek songs sung by MAP students Lena Vallianatou and Regina Wijayanti.

After the graduates received their certificates and degrees, student prizes were awarded.

The Hartranft Prize is awarded to the degree program student who has “demonstrated excellence in written expression.” The prize is named for Chester David Hartranft, president of what was then “Hartford Theological Seminary” from 1889 to 1903, as well as Professor of Biblical and Ecclesiastical History for 36 years. This year's winner was Heather Brubaker, who was nominated by Dr. Lisa Dahill.

The Adelaide Locke Prize is awarded to a degree program student who “has demonstrated notable proficiency or interest in the field of scriptural studies.” Candidates for this prize are nominated by the faculty. The prize is in the name of Adelaide Locke who was part of the second class of women admitted full-time in 1892, and captured the Hebrew, Greek, and Theology prizes during her studies. She served as the Professor of Biblical History at Wellesley College until 1924. This prize went to Barbara Welling Hall, in absentia, for her paper, "A Liberative Translation to Correct the Abuse of Philemon." 

The Ibrahim Abu Rabi‘ Prize is awarded to a student whose proficiency in Christian- Muslim studies or commitment to interreligious relations is noteworthy. Candidates for this prize are nominated by the faculty. The prize is named for the highly respected Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at HIU, 1991–2008, and the first Muslim in the U.S. to hold such a post. This prize went to Elizabeth Budd, who was nominated by Drs. Grafton and Kamaly for her paper “Has Christian America lost its way? Jesus’s teachings, public welfare, and American culture war debates.”  

The Celie J. Terry Prize is awarded to a student who demonstrates a commitment to academic achievement and excellence in interfaith community work in his or her local context. This prize is given in honor of a cherished employee of Sanford  Cloud Jr., who is a former chair of HIU’s Board of Trustees. The award is  monetary prize in addition to copies of the sacred texts from the three Abrahamic faiths. This award went to MAP student Paul Mdumi. Visit this link for a story on this prize.  

Watch the entire graduation ceremony below.