Graduate School of Theology Commencement announcement

Dear SFTS community,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the postponement of our Commencement exercises this year. While we console ourselves with the thought that, given the threat posed by the coronavirus, this is the safe and prudent thing to do, we realize that this is a deep disappointment for the seniors. The entire community shares in that feeling. And, of course SFTS is not alone in this. As you may have noticed, the GTU and several other member schools have already announced that they have also made the decision to postpone.

In place of this year’s exercises we are planning two events: 1) We are envisioning a large celebration in the Spring of 2021, where we can all come together again and celebrate our strength and resiliency, not to mention all your hard-won degrees. We will invite the Class of 2020 to return to campus in May 2021 to participate in a festive joint ceremony. In the meantime, our graduates will receive diplomas in the mail and all the rights and privileges associated with their degree programs will be conferred upon them. 2) In addition, we are planning a virtual experience to honor and celebrate our hearty 2020 graduates to take place on May 22. More on this as plans are developed. 

We appreciate your continued patience and understanding.  Stay tuned for more information over the next few days. Meanwhile and as always please feel free to reach out to me or Stephanie LaMonaca with your questions and concerns.

Let us not grow weary in well doing, my friends – for in due time we will reap if we do not faint (Galatians 6:9).

Grace and peace to you!


Jana Childers, PhD
Dean of the Graduate School of Theology
University of Redlands
Home of San Francisco Theological Seminary