Western Celebrates Largest Graduating Class in Recent History

April 25, 2023

Western Seminary hosted its 96th commencement for Portland and Global students on Saturday, April 22. (A separate ceremony will take place for Northern California graduates on May 20.)

With 218 students graduating, it is the school's largest graduating class in recent history.

The commencement weekend kicked off on Friday evening with a graduation reception hosted on the Johnson Chapel lawn. The commencement ceremony took place on Saturday at Rolling Hills Church in Tualatin, Ore. President Chuck Conniry, PhD, gave the commencement address on the topic of courageous faith.

The following prayer of dedication on Saturday was given by Stephen Stallard, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry:

"Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, it is with great joy that we commit these graduates to you. They have been trained to be biblical thinkers, they have been formed to be authentically human. And now our prayer for them is simple. May they fall more deeply in love with you each day and remain faithful until death. May they choose to love others selflessly, serving countless churches, ministries, and clients with sacrificial love. May their gospel-mission propel them onward and outward and may their love for you be the fuel that fires their mission..."