In his final sermon as Berkeley’s Dean and President, the Very Rev’d Dr. Andrew McGowan ’26 DD invoked Berkeley’s motto while reflecting on St. Paul’s call to carry the Gospel “to the regions beyond.” Drawing on the Apostle’s vision of mission and vocation, Dean McGowan encouraged graduates to remain open to God’s call, even when it leads beyond familiar places and established boundaries. He reminded the graduating class that Christian ministry is marked not by comfort or certainty, but by faithful witness and a willingness to venture into new territory in service of Christ and the Church.
Following the conferral of diplomas and certificates, Berkeley recognized several members of the Class of 2026 for distinguished achievement and service:
- Kelly Park received the R. Lansing Hicks Prize, awarded to the student who has done the most to benefit the Berkeley community.
- Nelson Pike received the Thomas Philips Memorial Award for exceptional achievement and promise in the study and practice of Anglican liturgy.
- Julia Warren received the St. Luke’s Award for outstanding contributions to Berkeley’s worship life and devoted service to St. Luke’s Chapel.
- Savannah Curro received the E. William Muehl Prize in Preaching as the most eloquent preacher in the senior class.
- Robin Brown received the Annual Episcopal Preaching Foundation Award for improvement and aptitude in homiletics.
- Tonita Branan received the Bradford E. Ableson Award for Ecclesiastical Leadership for possessing the most outstanding qualities of judgment and character for the future exercise of ecclesiastical leadership.
The celebration continued on Monday, May 18, when graduates joined the wider Yale Divinity School community for Commencement exercises. In his address to the graduating class, Yale Divinity School Dean Gregory Sterling urged graduates to become agents of reconciliation and healing, challenging them to help mend what he described as the “tattered fabric” of contemporary society.
Together, Berkeley’s Commencement Evensong and Yale Commencement marked both an ending and a beginning: the culmination of years of study, formation, worship, and community life, and the start of new ministries and vocations across the Church and the world.
Berkeley Divinity School at Yale extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2026 and offers prayers for God’s blessing as these graduates embark upon the next chapter of their journeys.
