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Equipped to Serve: Celebrating the Class of 2025

Commencement week at Seminary of the Southwest was marked by meaningful liturgies, joyful celebrations, and long-standing traditions as the Class of 2025 graduated. Southwest conferred degrees on 28 graduates during its 2025 Commencement, held May 21 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas. The ceremony honored students across all degree programs, including the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Arts in Religion, Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction, and the Diploma in Anglican Studies.

Click here to give a gift in honor of the Class of 2025

The seminary also awarded honorary doctorates to two distinguished individuals, including Bryan A. Stevenson, renowned public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) and the Honorable Linnet Deily, former U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization. Stevenson also delivered the commencement sermon, offering a powerful message that drew on his decades of work advocating for the marginalized and confronting systemic injustice.

“This was a very moving and meaningful commencement,” said Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, dean and president. “Bryan Stevenson reminded us of the need to become proximate to those who are suffering and vulnerable, and he inspired all of the graduates to take their education and training and use it for the good of those who are least able to advocate for themselves. I was grateful to be able to honor the impressive and impactful career of Linnet Deily and to send off our graduates with a joyful celebration of their accomplishments!”

You can find the citations read for both degree recipients here for Bryan A. Stevenson and here for the Honorable Linnet Deily.

On the evening before commencement, graduates gathered in Christ Chapel for their final Holy Eucharist as students. During the service, each was presented with a Seminary Cross—a keepsake that has been gifted to Southwest graduates for generations. Dean Bader-Saye preached the sermon at this final chapel gathering, which remains available for viewing online.

Leading up to the commencement ceremony, the seminary hosted two receptions to celebrate graduates across its various degree programs. Students in the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Master of Arts in Spiritual Direction programs were honored at a dinner that included family, friends, faculty, and staff. The evening began with welcoming remarks from Dean Bader-Saye, a blessing by Dr. Gena St. David, and a greeting from Director of Alumni Relations, Lecia Brannon, who officially welcomed the graduates into the Southwest Alumni Association. After dinner, faculty members presented each graduate with personalized superlative certificates highlighting their unique contributions and strengths.

“It was a joy to host the counseling and spiritual direction graduates and their loved ones at the first annual Center graduation dinner,” said Dr. St. David. “It was a memorable evening of laughter, fond farewells, and expressions of gratitude; we extended a welcome to the alumni community and celebrated the achievements of this senior class. I am thankful for all who participated in this happy occasion.”

Graduates in the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Religion, and Diploma in Anglican Studies programs were honored with a reception at Rather House. The celebration included their formal induction into the Southwest Alumni Association, followed by dinner for the broader seminary community.

That evening concluded with Last Gathering, a beloved Southwest tradition filled with heartfelt tributes and lighthearted farewells—a chance for the community to say goodbye to the graduating class with warmth, humor, and gratitude.

Dean Bader-Saye shared, “Among our core values are Hospitality and Celebration. We certainly lived into both of those over the course of the various events leading up to commencement. I am grateful to our staff for all of the effort they put into making these end-of-year celebrations both beautiful and meaningful. It was great to see the good humor and the sad farewells all mixed together in these final days. We wish all of our graduates the best and look forward to seeing them back for our alumni events.”

A photo gallery of the Class of 2025 commencement exercises and events can be viewed here

Theological Degrees

Learn more about a Master of Divinity, a Diploma of Anglican Studies, or other programs that lead to ordination.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Learn about a CACREP accredited Master of Mental Health Counseling Degree.

Ways to Support

Learn about opportunities to support  Southwest through Annual Fund, Scholarships, and more.

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