At the Convocation ceremony held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, McMaster Divinity College proudly conferred degrees and certificates upon 39 graduates.
MDC was pleased to welcome over 300 attendees, including faculty, staff, family, and friends, as well as distinguished guests: Dr. Claude Cox (Adjunct Professor at MDC), Dr. Michael Knowles (Professor Emeritus at MDC), and Rev. Leanne Friesen (Executive Minister of CBOQ).
President Dr. Stanley E. Porter opened the ceremony with a warm welcome, followed by a prayer from Dr. John W. Hilber, Professor of Old Testament. Worship was led by Dr. Wendy Porter, Professor of Music and Worship, alongside MDiv student, Ashley St. Pierre, Dr. Ambrose Thomson (Registrar and Director of Student Services) and John Steadman (Director of External Relations & Operations). Dr. James Dvorak (VP Academic) introduced each graduate as they walked the stage to receive their degree.
DPT graduate Uriah Pond and PhD graduate Dike Obioma Odimuko shared about their experiences as the evening’s graduate speakers. The President’s Gold Medals Award of Excellence were presented to Renan Oliveira Neri do Anjos and Lydia Lai Mui Lao.
MDC was honoured to present the MDC Award for Distinguished Faculty Service to Dr. John W. Hilber, in recognition of his impactful service as an affiliate faculty member over the past three years. Dr. Hilber also contributed to the Centre for Church in Culture and the Old Testament Guild. Though retiring from teaching, he will continue serving MDC as a research fellow.
The ceremony concluded with the commissioning of the graduates and a closing prayer by Dr. Clement Y. Wen, Assistant Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Guests then gathered at Cullen Hall for a celebratory reception.
MDC invites the community to continue praying for our graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their calling. Many will serve as pastors, while others will pursue vocations in counselling, teaching, and beyond—faithfully following God’s guidance in their lives.
