Perkins School of Theology celebrates 2026 graduates

DALLAS (SMU) – Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University will honor its graduating students on Saturday, May 16, with the Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements, followed by a reception and participation in SMU’s university-wide Commencement ceremony.

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. Doors will open at 1 p.m. The service will be led by Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean Bryan P. Stone, with Bishop Laura Merrill serving as the preacher. 

The service will include the recognition of graduates and the presentation of select academic and community honors. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed. 

A celebratory reception hosted by Perkins will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the Prothro Great Hall. The reception is open to graduates, their guests, as well as Perkins faculty, staff, and students.

Later that evening, graduates are invited to participate in SMU’s university-wide Commencement ceremony, which begins at 7 p.m. in Gerald J. Ford Stadium. 

The Commencement speaker will be Eric Dickerson, SMU alumnus and Pro Football Hall of Famer. The ceremony will conclude with the singing of “Varsity” and a fireworks celebration.

Additional information about schedules, regalia, ticketing, parking, and event logistics is available here.

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