United Celebrates 2025 Commencement
The seminary confers 99 degrees, presents student and alumni/ae awards, and recognizes outgoing dean Dr. David Watson
DAYTON, Ohio, May 23, 2025 — United Theological Seminary held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17. The seminary celebrated more than 100 men and women completing their theological education, with 49 doctoral degrees, 50 master’s degrees and seven theological certificates conferred.
Dr. David Watson, outgoing academic dean and senior vice president, received the distinctions of Senior Vice President Emeritus and Academic Dean Emeritus in recognition of his 19 years at United Theological Seminary. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree for his leadership and ministry, which extended far beyond the seminary to reach churches, denominations, and students across the United States and around the world.
“God has richly blessed United over these past 19 years through Dr. Watson’s leadership to become a Spirit-filled and prayer-fueled seminary,” said President Kent Millard. “An honorary degree is earned by all the work you do in ministry. This degree was earned by Dr. Watson by his leadership in education — bringing United to where it is today — his missional work, his compassionate work, and his writings.”
Dr. Watson delivered the commencement address “‘Reading for Renewal’ Revisited,” calling back to the first commencement address he gave in 2011. He reflected on United’s decision to commit itself to work toward church renewal in the face of church decline and religious disaffiliation.
“Fourteen years ago, to base your institutional identity on church renewal was an act of faith,” he said.
Citing recent findings from The Pew Research Center, the American Bible Society, and The UK’s Bible Society, Dr. Watson spoke of signs of renewal happening today and called graduates to respond by boldly proclaiming the gospel and “leading people into new life in Christ.”
“Now is the time to be bold, to be clear, to contend for the faith once and for all entrusted to the saints,” he concluded. “Now is the time to be all-in. And if we are, there are generations yet to be born who will be blessed by our witness.”
During the commencement exercises, the seminary recognized United alumni/ae who are making significant contributions to the Church and their communities:
- Dr. Rosario Picardo (DMin ’14), Dayton, Ohio, received the Effective Ministry Award for his ministry as a church planter. He is a founding pastor of Mosaic Church, planted in 2017, which has grown into a vibrant, multicultural congregation in the Greater Dayton area.
- Dr. Boise Kimber (DMin ’01), New Haven, Connecticut, received the Distinguished Ministry Award. Dr. Kimber has achieved denominational and professional distinction through his 2024 election as president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.
- Dr. C. Duh Kam (DMiss ’97), Baltimore, Maryland, received the Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus Award for his ongoing ministry through the Chin Baptist Churches USA and the International Chin Baptist Mission, both of which he helped establish more than 20 years ago.
- Robert C. Walker, Sr. (DMin ’95), Dayton, Ohio, received the Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus Award for his longstanding leadership in the Dayton community, including nearly 40 years as Executive Director of the Wesley Community Center, and 32 years as a mentor in United’s Doctor of Ministry program.
United also recognized 17 students and graduates with awards for academic distinction during the 2024-2025 academic year:
- The William and Carolyn Anderson Applied Theology Award was presented to Susan Hitts
- The Ruth Pippert Core Memorial Award was presented to Jean Gardy Dorimain
- The Robert E. and Mary Elizabeth Cramer Award was presented to Kaitlin Jackson
- The Robert M. Daugherty Award was presented to Ezra Smith ’25
- The Harry L. Eckels Award was presented to George Bud Fickley
- The Fellowship Seminarian Award was presented to Jayden Groppi ’25
- The Hoyt Hickman Award was presented to Tracy Ann Winters
- The Missionary Interpretation Award was presented to Ashray Matha ’25
- The Kendall McCabe Award in Preaching was presented to Scott Meeker ’25
- The Dr. Won Byung Roh Award was presented to Leonard Frieson
- The Dr. Hervin U. Roop Award was presented to Mister Raby
- The August Thomas Memorial Award was presented to Jayden Groppi ’25
- The Bishop Joseph H. Yeakel Award was presented to Stefanie Pitts Sadler ’25
- The Corda E. Smith Award was presented to Casey Nawman
- The Dr. Kenneth H. Pohly Award was presented to Modupe Ogunlaja Armstead
- DMin Outstanding Project in Church Renewal was presented to Beatrice Aghali ’25 for the project “Intercultural Encounter: Developing a Training Model That Prepares Clergywomen of Color to Cross-Cultural Leadership Ministry”
- DMin Outstanding Project in Justice and Mercy was presented to Damon Horton ’25 for the project “Prophetic Activism: Equipping Mentors to Improve Student Cognitive Behavior Through Spiritual and Cultural Identity”
- DMin Outstanding Project in Proclamation of the Gospel was presented to Valerie Mize ’25 for the project “Focusing Corporate Singing as an Intentional Spiritual Practice that Creates Space for Holy Spirit Encounter”