CELEBRATING THE CLASS OF 2026
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary celebrated the Class of 2026 during its 230th commencement May 29 at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. During the service, the Rev. Dr. DeWayne L. Davis, formerly lead minister of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis, addressed the graduates.
Additionally, a number of graduates were honored with awards.
More videos and photos are coming soon!
Watch the Commencement Livestream Video
Class of 2026
Graduate Certificate in Ministry
Calyn Kavern Bronkema
Arlington, Va.
Laura Elizabeth Ong
Bristol, Tenn.
Graduate Certificate in theological studies
Aneesah S. Coates
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Richard Palazzi
Altoona, Pa.
Connor Woods
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry
Camille Lee Newsome
McKeesport, Pa.
MASTER OF arts in pastoral Studies
Naomi Rochelle Johnson
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Davis Gaines Taylor
Yardley, Pa.
Aydin J. Zill
Erie, Pa.
MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
Dennis Patrick Allan
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Deborah Hickey
Olympia, Wash.
Erica Dale McIlroy
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Melanie Timbers
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Christine Ullrich ***
Pittsburgh, Pa.
MASTER OF DIVINITY
John Fitzgerald Butler Anderson Sr. ***
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Ronnie Lyn Bailey
East Liverpool, Ohio
Joshua Allen Brim-Simpson
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Stephanie Lynn Castlen
Kings Park, N.Y.
Drew Evelyn Kellogg
Lakewood, N.Y.
Ben Knab-DiNardo **
Rochester, Pa.
Jakob Josef Harmon
Jones, Okla.
Karlie Ann McWilliams
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Lisa M. Nester
Stow, Ohio
Richard Franklin Norris III ***
Philadelphia, Pa.
Raphael S. Ogbole
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Drew Perdue
Salem, Va.
Deborah Anne Romano
Shepherdstown, W.Va.
Caitlin Zeiset
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Doctoral Certificate in Advanced Studies in Ministry
Michele Pearl Ellison
Pittsburgh, Pa.
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
Yvette A. Armstead
Marlboro, N.Y.
Walking with Holy Feet: My Collective Journey in Servant Leadership and the Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
Rebecca J. Branch-Trevathan
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tell Me Your Story! Testimony as a Transformative Spiritual Practice: Leading the Church into New Life and Missional Purpose by Discovering God’s Gifts in Our Faith Stories
Doris Ann Evans
Cleveland, Ohio
Who are we? Seeking the Identity of the United Presbyterian Church, Garden City, Kansas
Sheleta E. Fomby
Upper Marlboro, Md.
From Striving to Thriving: A Holistic Approach to Revive and Resource Black Women Pastors for Leadership and Flourishing
Kathryn Richmond Rascoe
Rockingham, Va.
Towards an Authentic Body of Christ: Encouraging Conversations with Humility and Curiosity in the Church
Oghene’tega Violet Ogbon (Swann)
Aliquippa, Pa.
Empowering the Margins: Exploring Church Planting and Sustainability by Socioeconomically Disenfranchised Black Communities in Majority-White Mainline Denominations
Brian S. Symonds
Pomona, Calif.
Discerning Missional Vocation: One Congregation’s Journey to Discovering its Gifts, Opportunities, and Limitations
Gavin Walton
Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Doors of the Church are Open: Imagining a New Mission for the Black Presbyterian Church
Michele Lynne Ward
Baltimore City, Md.
Letters to Lonnie: Rebuilding a Life
** Master of Social Work Joint Degree
*** Graduate Certificate in Urban Ministry