On Saturday, April 17, 2025, Andover Newton Seminary celebrated the graduation of twenty new alumni/ae. The special ceremony was held in Marquand Chapel and 2024 Preaching Prize winner, Spencer Law, served as the guest speaker. The Class of 2025 is a remarkable group. Eight are moving on to pursue congregational and church work with ABCUSA, the UCC, and UU; one has accepted a role as a hospital chaplain; two are pursuing social justice work; five are continuing studies in higher education; and four are in the search and call process.

At both Saturday’s and Monday’s YDS ceremony, five Andover Newton graduates received awards including: Morenike Oyebode, the Reverend Frederick J. Streets Prize honoree; Bishar Jenkins, the John A. Wade Prize winner; Matthew Rivera, Jonathan A. Edwards Prize for Excellence in Scholarship and Ministry; Courtney Esteves, Class Marshall; and Antonio Vargas, Jr., Andover Newton’s Preaching Prize recipient.

Reflecting on the weekend’s commencement festivities, Founding Dean Sarah B. Drummond noted, “One thing that Andover Newton and Yale have always had in common is that we love graduation. It is the most important celebration of our year, not just because we cherish our graduates and want to congratulate them, but because the work of ministry includes convening and presiding over meaningful rituals. Therefore, we try to show the best of ritual celebration as a tribute to our mission.”

Congratulations to these outstanding graduates and the entire Class of 2025!