Much to Celebrate During United’s 2024 Commencement

Thursday, June 27, 2024

During its 2024 Commencement, held on May 18, United Theological Seminary celebrated nearly 100 women and men who have completed their theological education and are going out to serve as faithful, fruitful leaders of the Church.

Among the graduating class were 57 receiving the Doctor of Ministry degree and 30 receiving master’s degrees, along with seven completing the United Methodist Course of Study and two completing a Certificate in Disability Ministry.

Bishop James Swanson, retired bishop of The United Methodist Church and bishop-in-residence at United, delivered a powerful commencement address. He encouraged graduates to stay focused on Jesus’ call to “Come, follow me” (Matthew 4:19) during both the highs and lows of their ministries.

“Part of our journey, of this coming, is that it never ends,” Bishop Swanson said. “God’s ‘come’ is more like ‘keep coming.’”

In recognition of his outstanding leadership and ministry in The United Methodist Church, United awarded Bishop Swanson the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

In addition, the seminary honored Mr. James Tharp of Cincinnati, Ohio, with the Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his faithful leadership as Chair of United’s Board of Trustees from 2014 to 2023. Under Mr. Tharp’s leadership, United began the process of aggressively paying off its debt. The $4 million mortgage debt was paid off in 2021 and the $3.3 million endowment debt was paid off on May 13, 2024, just days before commencement, making United debt-free.

During the commencement exercises, the seminary also recognized United alumni/ae who are making significant contributions to the Church and their communities:

• Dr. Tim Burden (MDiv, ’83), Newark, Ohio, received the Effective Ministry Award for his dedication to missionary work in Mexico, Cuba, and Haiti;
• Dr. Charlie Stallworth (DMin ’97), Bridgeport, Connecticut, received the Effective Ministry Award for his commitment to faith-based social activism during his five-terms as Connecticut state representative for the 126th District and as former commissioner on the Bridgeport Board of Police;
• Dr. Byoung Sam Kim (DMiss ’98), Seoul, South Korea, was named the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus for his innovative leadership of Manna Church, whose membership has quadrupled from 3,000 to more than 12,000 during his tenure;
• Bishop Teresa E. Snorton (DMin ’00), Sun City Center, Florida, was named the 2024 Distinguished Alumna for her multi-faceted leadership in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church following her 2010 election as the denomination’s first female bishop;
• Dr. Leroy Cothran (MDiv ’99, DMin ’02), Dayton, Ohio, received the Outstanding DMin Alumnus Award for building on his doctoral project through his civic, social and ministerial leadership in the city of Dayton.

United also recognized 18 students or graduates with awards for academic distinction during the 2023-2024 academic year.

“As we close out the 2023-2024 academic year, we give thanks for our outstanding graduates, alumni/ae and students,” says Dr. Kent Millard, President of United. “By the grace of God, United has had a 28% increase in enrollment to 595 students* over the past two years, largely due to the establishment of houses of study for Spanish- and Korean-speaking students.”

*12-month unduplicated headcount enrollment from July 1, 2023, to June 27, 2024.