Graduation 2013
The Rev’d Canon Dr. Robin Gibbons introduces honorees and staff members prior to the beginning of the graduation ceremony.
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Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies, recites from the Islamic text of the Holy Qur’an.
The Rev’d Canon Dr. Robin Gibbons leads the community responsory during the graduation ceremony.
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Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Malik delivers the Graduation Address.
Shaykh Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Malik delivers the Graduation Address.
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Members of the GTF faculty, including Dr. Bernard O’Connor, Dr. Nancy Mason-Bordley, Dr. Jameala Alrifai, Dr. Vivian Robles Dettbarn-Slaughter, Dr. Abed Ayoub, Dr. Mohamad Moussa, Dr. Aziz Abdin, and Dr. Muhammad Hatim.
Members of the graduating class of 2013 during the Graduation Address
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Members of the audience during the 2013 Graduation Address
Dr. Kendra Clayton, GTF President, with Sister Rosa González, FMI, who received her Doctor of Ministry as a member of the graduating class of 2013.
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Members of the 2013 graduating class of the GTF
The 2013 graduating class follows along with a reading at the GTF’s commencement on May 3.
Shaykh Ibrahim Abdul-Malik was the 2013 Commencement Speaker, issuing an inspiring challenge to graduating students to embrace the various “senses of unity” within their own communities.
Professor Christo Lombaard is the recipient of the 2013 Krister Stendahl Medal in Biblical Studies. He is Professor of Christian Spirituality at the University of South Africa.
GTF President, Dr. Kendra Clayton, with Dr. Ángel Vélez Oyola, recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa at this year’s commencement.
Imam Zurkani Vardar (Ph.D. 2013) was awarded the Imam Malik Fellowship in Islamic Studies. Fellowships are the highest academic recognition offered by the GTF to a doctoral graduate.
Mr. William Moneyhun (M.Th. 2013) was awarded the Geertz Prize in the Anthropology of Religion. Named prizes are awarded to students who have distinguished themselves in their field of study.
Rabbi Paula Goldberg (D.Min. 2013) was awarded the Rabbi Samuel Cohen Prize in Jewish Studies. Named prizes are awarded to students who have distinguished themselves in their field of study.
Ms. Hana Taleb Jaber (M.Th. 2013) was awarded the Jalaluddin Rumi Prize in Islamic Studies. Named prizes are awarded to students who have distinguished themselves in their field of study.
The 2013 Runcie Lecturer and John Henry Cardinal Newman Professor at the GTF, The Rev. Dr. Bernard O’Connor (seated), is introduced by The Revd Canon Dr. Robin Gibbons, member of the University of Oxford’s Faculty of Theology and Alexander Schmemann Professor at the GTF.
The Rev. Dr. Bernard O’Connor is a former official at the Vatican with the Congregation for the Eastern Churches. His lecture this year explored the issue of papal resignation.
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Dr. John Morgan, Karl Mannheim Professor of the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences and former GTF President, with members of the graduating class of 2013
Members of the graduating class of 2013, along with friends who were also in attendance. Pictured center is Sister Joanna Okereke, HHJC, who graduated with her Doctor of Philosophy this year. Her thesis is entitled, The Need for Pastoral Care Ministry in Nigeria: A Challenge for the Church.
Dr. John Morgan, Karl Mannheim Professor of the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences and former GTF President, with Dr. Ángel Luis Vélez Oyola, 2013 recipient of the Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
Dr. Kendra Morgan, Chaplain Juliana N. Kanu-Njokanma and Dr. John Morgan are pictured during the social immediately following the Runcie Convocation Lecture.
Dr. Kendra Clayton, GTF President, during the social immediately following the Runcie Convocation Lecture, with members of the GTF faculty and members of the 2013 Graduating Class.
Dr. John Morgan, Karl Mannheim Professor of the History and Philosophy of the Social Sciences and former GTF President, is pictured with Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies, as well as other GTF faculty and members of the 2013 graduating class, during the social immediately following the Runcie Convocation Lecture.
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Doctoral Defenses in Damascus, Syria
Doctoral defenses were held in Damascus, Syria, on February 11, 2013. Members of the defense panel were, from left, Dr. Samier Al Shawi, Dr. Shekh Ramadan Deeb and Dr. Samira Al Hamadi.
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GTF Meeting with Al-Azhar President
On February 5th, 2013, Dr. Kendra Clayton, President of the Foundation, and Dr. John Morgan, former President and long-time faculty memeber, met with Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al-Azhar University, to discuss a possible institutional affiliation. During this meeting Dr. Elabd was presented with a plaque of appreciation and, in recognition of his scholarly contributions to Sharia Law and his commitment to the international promotion of the understanding of centrist Islam, was named an Honorary Fellow of the Foundation. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Kendra Clayton, Dr. Sayed Bakry, Associate Professor of Experimental Biology, Al-Azhar University, Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation, and Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al-Azhar University.
The details of an institutional affiliation between the Graduate Theological Foundation and Al-Azhar University will be finalized within the next month. Pictured above from left to right are Dr. Kendra Clayton, Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al-Azhar University, Dr. John Morgan and Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation.
Representatives of Al-Azhar, the Graduate Theological Foundation, and the local Albanian Islamic Cultural Center (AICC) were present during the meeting. Pictured from left to right are Dr. Mohamed Moussa, visiting professor of Islamic Studies at GTF, Dr. Bakry of Al-Azhar, Imam Tahir Kukiqi of the AICC, Dr. Omar Shahin of GTF, Dr. Elabd, President of Al-Azhar, Dr. Kendra Clayton of GTF, Dr. John Morgan of GTF, Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Malik of GTF.
Immediately prior to presenting a plaque to Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd commemorating his appointment as an Honorary Fellow of the Foundation, Dr. Kendra Clayton, reads a prepared statement.
Dr. Kendra Clayton, presents Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd with a plaque acknowledging his appointment as Honorary Fellow of the Foundation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, presents Dr. Kendra Clayton, President of the Graduate Theological Foundation, with a token of recognition and appreciation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, presents Dr. John Morgan, former President of the Graduate Theological Foundation and longtime faculty member, with a token of recognition and appreciation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, presents Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation, with a token of recognition and appreciation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, presents Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Malik, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Professor of American Muslim History and Culture at the Graduate Theological Foundation, with a token of recognition and appreciation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, presents Dr. Mohammad Hatim, Imam Warith Deen Muhammad Professor of African American Muslim Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation, with a token of recognition and appreciation.
Dr. Osama Mohamed Elabd, President of Al Azhar, pictured with Dr. Omar Shahin, Ibn Taymiyya Professor of Islamic Law and Director of Islamic Studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation.
GTF Meeting with representatives of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, Staten Island
GTF representatives, Dr. Kendra Clayton and Dr. John Morgan, traveled to Staten Island to meet with representatives of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center (AICC) to formalize an institutional affiliation. Pictured fourth from the left is Dr. Omar Shahin, Director of Islamic Studies at GTF, and next to him, fifth from the left is Imam Zarkani Vardar, Director of the AICC and principal of the Muraj School.
Paperwork formalizing an institutional affiliation between the GTF and the AICC is signed by Dr. Kendra Clayton, Dr. Omar Shahin, and Imam Zarkany Vardar.
Discussions were held between GTF and AICC representatives in the offices of the AICC.
Dodge House
The administrative offices of the Foundation are located at Dodge House, a Queen Anne Victorian built in 1889 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It graces the historic district of Mishawaka, Indiana, a quiet community just minutes from the South Bend Regional Airport. It is a three storied structure of red brick and expansive rooms including original antique appointments of hanging chandeliers and wall sconces, five fireplaces, a winding staircase from first to second floor and a spiral staircase from second to third floor, parquet floors throughout the first floor and staff lounge on the second floor, and a wrap-around front porch. Read more...
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Special Graduation Event in Damascus, Syria
During the summer of 2011, there was a special graduation ceremony held for Foundation students in Damascus, Syria. The event was hosted by Dr. Aziz Abdin, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Foundation. Some of the participants included Dr. Ramadan Dib, Dr. Bachier Al Mofachi, Ms. Aisha Dib, Dr. Gada Daher, Mr. Ahmad Ramadan, and Dr. Mostapha Arafa.
Graduating student, Dr. Gada Daher, receives her diploma. In order from left, the hosts are His Eminence Sheikh Ramadan Dib; Dr. Aziz Abdin, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Foundation; and Mr. Abdul Rahim Mardeni, alumnus and current student at the Foundation.
(Left to Right) His Eminence Sheikh Ramadan Dib; Dr. Aziz Abdin, Professor of Islamic Studies at the Foundation; and Mr. Abdul Rahim Mardeni, at the graduation ceremony.
A graduating student receives his diploma.
Dr. Aziz Abdin (left), presents a graduating student with his diploma.
A participant speaks at the graduation ceremony as Dr. Ramadan Dib (middle) and Dr. Bachier Al Mofachi (left) listen.
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