Calvin Seminary Marks ‘Firsts’ at Graduation

Calvin Theological Seminary marked a number of “firsts” at its commencement on May 23, 2015.

Seven graduates—the largest group ever to receive the Ph.D. hoods at one commencement—marked their accomplishment of successfully completing the requirements for the highest academic degree.

Two graduates received their M.Div. degrees through the distance-learning program begun at the seminary just three years earlier. Chad Van Ginkel and David Van Eyk were the first two distance-learning students to achieve this professional ministry degree.

Thirty-six local pastors completed the Certificate in Hispanic Ministry, offered for the first time at Calvin Seminary. These bivocational pastors successfully completed nine academic courses over the course of three years. Six will continue their studies in master’s degree programs at the seminary.

One hundred and six graduates in all were honored in this graduation ceremony—a “first” experience for all of them.