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Dallas, Texas – DALLAS – Perkins School of Theology's annual Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements is scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 2:00 p.m., in the sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church, 3300 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas.

Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters

Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters, founder and senior pastor of Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Dallas, will be guest preacher. Dr. Waters holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and in Religious Studies with a minor in History from Southern Methodist University (èßäÊÓƵapp), as well as a Master of Divinity degree, cum laude, with Certificates in African American Church Studies and in Urban Ministry, and a Doctor of Ministry degree, with honors, from Perkins School of Theology. He is author of the recently released book, “Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture” (2014).

The class of 2014, which comprises graduates from August and December 2013 as well as May 2014, includes candidates for graduation with the following degrees:

• Master of Divinity: 61
• Master of Church Ministries: 1
• Master of Sacred Music: 3
• Master of Theological Studies: 16
• Doctor of Ministry: 13

Among students in the May graduating class, 64 are United Methodists. Other faith traditions represented include African Methodist Episcopal, Anglican/Episcopalian, Assemblies of God, Baptist, City Harvest Church (Singapore), Lutheran, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ, as well as a number of students who classify their affiliation as nondenominational.

Graduating students come from a number of different United Methodist Annual (Regional) Conferences, including Alabama-West Florida, Arkansas, Florida, North Georgia, Illinois-Great Rivers, Kansas East, Oklahoma, Rio Grande, South Carolina, Texas, Central Texas, North Texas, and Southwest Texas.

Other interesting graduation facts about candidates for graduation in the Class of 2014:

• The youngest graduating student is 23 and the oldest is 79.
• The graduating class includes a medical doctor and at two least attorneys.
• The class has an international flavor, including graduates whose heritage range from Burmese American and Tongan
    to a student from Germany, as well as one student from the D.Min. program in Singapore.
• Graduates include a wife and husband both receiving their M.Div. degree

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2014 AWARD RECIPIENTS (PDF)

More information about èßäÊÓƵapp Commencement: smu.edu/EnrollmentServices/Registrar/AcademicCeremonies/MayCommencement

For a map of the èßäÊÓƵapp èßäÊÓƵapp, visit .

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Perkins School of Theology, founded in 1911, is one of five official University-related schools of theology of . Degree programs include the Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Music, Master of Theological Studies, Master of Church Ministries, and Doctor of Ministry, as well as the Ph.D., in cooperation with The Graduate Program in Religious Studies at èßäÊÓƵapp’s Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences.