Fuller Celebrates Largest Graduating Class Ever

Fuller Theological Seminary’s 57th annual commencement ceremony, held June 10 at Lake Avenue Church, Pasadena, was the largest in the seminary’s history, with more than 500 students participating in the celebration. More than 720 students are set to complete degrees at Fuller this year, encompassing men and women from 36 different countries and nearly 80 denominations. The graduates in attendance received a range of master’s and doctoral degrees from Fuller’s three schools of Theology, Psychology, and Intercultural Studies.

In his welcoming remarks, President Richard Mouw celebrated and named the diversity of nations, from Australia to Vietnam, represented by those walking the stage. “Thanks be to God,” he said. He also acknowledged the special sacrifices of family members, particularly spouses and children, in supporting the seminary education of their loved ones.

“I am very excited—this is a new beginning for me,” said graduate Jing Cui from Nanjing, China, completing her master of arts in Cross-cultural Studies. “I came here with no idea what it would be like—but Fuller has been a great school, and has prepared me well.” Cui plans to pursue family ministry.

Moussa Bongoyok, who hails originally from Mokolo, Cameroon, will use his newly earned PhD in intercultural studies in his position as professor of Islamic Studies at the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology in Central African Republic. A French speaker, Bongoyok came to Fuller “never having studied in English in my life,” he said. “But through the grace of God, I did it!”

As part of the commencement ceremony, Provost Sherwood Lingenfelter announced Dr. R. Daniel Shaw, professor of anthropology and translation, as recipient of this year’s distinguished Weyerhaeuser Award, known to the Fuller community as “faculty of the year.” Lingenfelter also acknowledged the presence at the ceremony of more than 20 members of Fuller’s class of 1956, who had gathered the day prior for their 50-year reunion. Mel Schlueter, member of the 1956 class and former trustee, offered the benediction.

Fuller Seminary is one of the largest multidenominational seminaries in the world, with nearly 5,000 students taking courses this year. In addition to the main campus in Pasadena, Fuller has extension sites in Irvine, Menlo Park, and Sacramento, California; Seattle, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Phoenix, Arizona.