Nazarene Theological Seminary

During the Senior Chapel, graduating senior, Levi Holland, thanks professors and shares why he appreciated his time at NTS.

NTS held its 64th commencement on Sunday, May 9, at 4:00pm at Kansas City (MO) First Church of the Nazarene. The Class of 2010 consisted of 50 graduates, receiving degrees as follows: 2 Doctor of Ministry; 31 Master of Divinity; 4 M.A. in Christian Education; 7 M.A. in Intercultural Studies; 6 M.A. in Theological Studies. Four students earned an additional diploma or certificate along with their degree and three students earned only certificates or diplomas. This class represented four countries: Canada, Korea, Jamaica, and the United States.

Earlier on Sunday morning, also at KC First Church, Rev. Shawna Songer Gaines represented her class by preaching the Corlett Senior Sermon entitled The Hospitality of the Kingdom: Mark 9:38-48. The late Mr. Eric A. Mabes, a prominent Kansas City Realtor, established the Corlett Senior Sermon Award in the interest of developing an incentive for more effective preaching. He sponsored the award from 1945 to 1966. In 1966, Dr. and Mrs. L. T. Corlett, as a symbol of their continuing interest in the future ministry of the church, assumed the sponsorship of this award. For many years, until the time of his passing this past year, Mr. Wes Blachly provided the funding to keep this important senior honor highlighted.

Dr. Ed Robinson, President of MidAmerica Nazarene University, delivered an excellent commencement address entitled, "The Ministry of Divine Words" (PDF). To listen to the audio of Dr. Robinson's commencement address go to NTS' Chapel Podcast or check out NTS' Chapel Podcast on iTunes.

In addition to the commencement ceremony, the weekend was full of various graduation events, including a special graduate chapel on Saturday morning, the graduates' induction into the NTS Alumni Association, and an all-seminary reception on Saturday afternoon. After the reception, members of the NTS Classes of 1960, 1970, 1980, 1983, 2000, and 2004 were honored at a reunion lunch. Photos of the weekend's event are on NTS' Facebook page.