2026 Commencement Celebrates Graduates,
United Community

DAYTON, Ohio, May 27, 2026 — During its 2026 Commencement, held on May 16 at Christian Life Center in Dayton, United Theological Seminary celebrated 150 women and men who have completed their theological education and are going out to serve as faithful, fruitful leaders of the Church.

President Kent Millard, who will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 academic year, delivered the commencement address, challenging the graduates to remain expectant and open to the miraculous power of God.

“What miracles are not happening in our lives and ministries today because of our unbelief?” President Millard posed. “The God who has the power to create the universe, the sun, the moon, the stars, the earth and all living things on it, also has the power to part the waters of the Red Sea and heal the sick and raise the dead. That God is the God we worship, who has incredible power and somehow has chosen to use us as vessels of that power of healing and prayer. So, expect a miracle.”

After addressing the graduates, President Millard introduced Rev. Dr. Mark Teasdale, President-Elect of United.

In response to President Millard’s message, Dr. Teasdale added, “One thing I’ve learned in my years working in evangelism is that miracles follow mission. When we are faithful in the mission of God, when we are willing to stand for what God has called us to do, miracles will follow.”

He continued by inviting graduates to share the stories of how fruit is being born out in their work of ministry: “It’s a long fuse between where we light it [in seminary] and the explosion on the other end….The real explosion, the real power, comes when you’re back in your congregations. You’re bringing about transformation there as God’s servant. Remember us, and let us know about it!”

In recognition of his decade of leadership at United (2016-2026), President Millard received an honorary Doctor of Divinity during the commencement exercises.

In addition, the seminary honored Dr. Jim Holsinger with the Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his faithful leadership as Chair of United’s Board of Trustees. Under the direction of President Millard and Dr. Holsinger, United conducted a four-year campaign to raise $10 million to grow the seminary’s endowment, which reached its goal in April 2026, by the grace of God. As Dr. Holsinger completes his term, Dr. Tom Lasley has been named his successor as the next Board Chair, effective July 1, 2026. Outgoing trustee Rev. Dr. Cinda Swan, first vice-chair, was also presented with the honorary Doctor of Divinity in recognition of her longstanding leadership in the church and service to the seminary. Dr. Swan is a 2013 graduate of United’s Doctor of Ministry program.

During the commencement exercises, the seminary presented awards to United alumni/ae who are making significant contributions to the Church and their communities: 

• Dr. Tracey Fletcher Allen (DMin ’23), Atlanta, Georgia, received the Effective Ministry Award.
• Dr. Jonathan Jamel McReynolds (MDiv ’12, DMin ’15), Bartlett, Tennessee, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award.
• Dr. Susan Arnold (DMin ’23), Kingsport, Tennessee, received the Outstanding Doctoral Alumna Award.

United also celebrated 19 students and graduates with awards for academic distinction during the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Matthew Brooks and Justin Flint, recipients of the William and Carolyn Anderson Applied Theology Award
• Gregory Chiaboluo Udeonyia, the Ruth Pippert Core Memorial Award
• Lorryn Macie Holstein ’26, the Robert E. and Mary Elizabeth Cramer Award
• Erik Sollenberger, the Robert M. Daughtery Award
• Kenya Ellis, the Harry L. Eckels Award
• Theodore Karreem Powell, the Fellowship Seminarian Award
• Myung Chul Song ’26, the Hoyt Hickman Award
• Natalie Morey, the Missionary Interpretation Award
• Edward Gebhart ’26, the Kendall McCabe Award in Preaching
• Kaitlyn Jackson, the Dr. Won Byung Roh Award
• Paula Thomas ’26, the Dr. Hervin U. Roop Award
• Deanna York ’26, the August Thomas Memorial Award
• Everlyne Kukah, the Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Award
• Erik Wilson and Vanessa McQueen, recipients of the Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Award
• Giil Lee ’25, DMin Outstanding Project in Church Renewal for the project “Fostering a Vibrant Church Community Through Spiritual Inter-Connectivity in Small Groups”
• Stephanie R. Ball ’26, DMin Outstanding Project in Justice and Mercy for the project “Empowering Congregations to Eradicate Biases Toward Leaders with Disabilities”
• Jennye Jenkins ’26, DMin Outstanding Project in Proclamation of the Gospel for the project “An Anthropology of Chaplaincy Model for Pastoral Care”

United congratulates the graduating class of 2025-2026 as they faithfully continue to respond to God’s call on their lives and carry the love of God into the world.