Class of 2017

Each year, Western holds three different commencement ceremonies: one for Portland and Online students, one for San Jose students, and one for Sacramento students. These ceremonies celebrate the remarkable achievements of our students, many of whom make tremendous personal sacrifices while in pursuit of their training. Though it is not always easy, they make these choices so that they might become better gospel practitioners, ready and equipped to share about the transforming power of Jesus Christ.

In 2017, Western graduated 143 students from these combined campuses. These graduates will go on to serve in a variety of places, as pastors, counselors, coaches and leaders. Wherever they go, they will take the life-changing message of the gospel and be equipped to share it with the world.

Commencement weekend was April 28 and 29, 2017. Graduates were invited to a banquet celebration on Friday, April 28 at Persimmon Country Club where they had time to celebrate with family, friends, and faculty who were formative during their time of study. Students Jeremy Birt, Trish Bussey, Ken Garrett, Julia Garrison, Geoff Hartt, and Tory Ruark shared of their experiences at Western and of the impact that a gospel community may have.

The ninetieth annual commencement ceremony for Western Seminary Portland Campus took place Saturday morning at New Hope Community Church in Happy Valley, OR. The commencement address was given by Dr. Mike Fleischmann, Vice President of Personnel at Missions Door. He spoke on "Things Worth Fighting For" from II Timothy 2: 1-15. Ninety students were awarded diplomas.

Commencement weekend for Western Seminary's San Jose Campus was July 7 and 8, 2017. Graduates and their guests were invited to a banquet celebration on Friday, July 7 at Christ Community Church. Two graduates gave tributes at the graduation banquet: Anh Truong and Nancy Sahrling.

Commencement took place Saturday morning at Christ Community Church in Milpitas, CA. There were a total of 28 graduates. The commencement address was given by Dr. Kenneth Logan, Professor of Counselor Education and the Executive Director of Western Seminary’s counselor training center at the Portland Campus (A New Day Counseling Center). The title was “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” centered around Ephesians 2:1-22. Two graduates gave tributes: Danielle Sloneker and Andrea Moran-Brown.

Commencement weekend was held in Sacramento on August 4 and 5, 2017. Graduates and their families were invited to celebrate at the Friday night banquet which was held at Creekside Church. Highlights of the banquet include student testimonies from David Heitzler and Jay Pak and letters from each graduate's church, read aloud as each graduate came up to receive their gift. Graduates also had a chance to award diplomas of their own to their support family and friends, such as: "Master of Proof Reading and Editing My Papers," "Master of Theological Discussions and Coffee Runs," and "Master of Encouragement."

Saturday morning, family and friends again gathered at Creekside Church to witness the eleventh annual commencement ceremony for Western Seminary Sacramento Campus. Twenty-five graduates were awarded diplomas. Students John Hamilton and Amy Sowers shared of their experience at Western and the gospel impact that they are now compelled to share with others. Dr. Brian Enderle gave the commencement address from Galations 5:25, on "Living By the Spirit."