Jottings on science, religion, technology, pop culture and faith from the Antipodes.

Research

Graduation!

GradstephenPhD graduation yesterday! Kim and I had breakfast with the theology staff and graduands in on campus, before we went to the graduation chapel service at Maclaurin Chapel, and then I took part in the procession from campus to the Auckland Town Hall. The ceremony yesterday morning was for Education, Theology, and Creative Arts and Industries, and as “Graduand #1” I was first across the stage.

As well as Kim, my parents (from Melbourne) were there, along with Kim’s folks (from the Bay of Plenty), and my supervisors (Nicola Hoggard Creegan and Martin Sutherland) were both there too. And Kim’s aunt was there as a marshal – checking I made it onto the stage in one piece. A good day all round, and a chance to catch up briefly with fellow theology PhD graduate, Brian Harris (whose thesis was on the theology of Stanley Grenz, and who shared the same supervisors).

Finally it feels like I’ve finished. And it feels good to be at the end of this journey.

From the graduation chapel service

Gracious God,
   Remember students and scholars
   engaged in the adventure of learning.
In our search for knowledge
   may we not forget your wisdom.
To our intellectual discoveries
   may we bring the mind of Christ.
Through our study and research
   may we serve your healing and justice.
      Amen

Here’s the family (Kim’s folks, Kim and me, my folks), and a couple of snaps of Brian and me with the supervisors.

GradfamilyGradsupervisorsGradall

5 Comments

  1. Congratulations!

    now what?

  2. Thanks, John.

    “Now what?” is exactly the question that confronts me most mornings (though I’m doing some part-time eLearning ‘consulting’ work for a Catholic theological college at the moment).

  3. Congratulations ! πŸ™‚

  4. Sounds like it was a great day. Congratulations and the best of luck in your future pursuits.

  5. Congratulations Stephen. Well done. πŸ™‚