Perkins School of Theology Celebrates 2025 Graduates

Perkins School of Theology will honor its graduating students with a series of special events this spring, culminating in the Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements on May 17, 2025.

The Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements will take place in the main sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) beginning at 2 p.m. The speaker for the service will be Rev. Dr. Blair Thompson, Chief Learning and Innovation Officer for the Texas Methodist Foundation, ordained Elder in the Horizon Texas Conference, a 2012 M.Div. and 2018 D.Min. Perkins alumna, and a member of the Perkins Executive Board.

Graduates will assemble for line-up in Cox Chapel at 1:15 p.m. in preparation for the formal processional into the sanctuary. The service will include the hooding of graduates and the presentation of select academic and community awards. A celebratory reception will follow in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Hall.

The reception is free for graduates, their guests, as well as Perkins faculty, staff, and students. It will begin immediately following the diploma presentation at 3:30 p.m.

For those unable to attend in person, the event will be live-streamed.

On Friday, May 16, the graduating class will gather for the Senior Class Worship Service at 5 p.m. in Perkins Chapel. Following worship, the Senior Class Banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. at HPUMC. During the banquet, the Elsa Cook Award will be presented—an honor established by students in recognition of Ms. Cook’s lasting contributions to student life and community at Perkins.

Additionally, all graduating students are invited to participate in SMU’s university-wide Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. in Moody Coliseum. Line-up begins at 7:30 a.m. near the Perkins banner.

Details regarding schedules, regalia, ticketing, parking, and logistics are available at: smu.edu/academic-ceremonies/events/may-commencement. The SMU Commencement will be live-streamed at smu.edu/live and on SMU’s YouTube channel.

A full list of Perkins award recipients will be made available following the conclusion of graduation events, courtesy of Melissa Gooch, Registrar and Director of Academic Affairs.