Graduation

Well, it's been more than a week so it is past time that we acknowledge Matthew's graduation from Seminary here on the blog. Matthew graduated on May 16th with Masters of Divinity degree from Multnomah Biblical Seminary. It was a special celebration because so many of our good friends from our time here in Portland were all graduating together. It was also neat that Matthew's parents were able to come up from California to visit during this time and so were able to be here for the ceremony.

Graduation day began with Baccalaureate chapel which featured a message given by our good friend Ford Jordan (he did an awesome job). Afterward there was a group photo taken of the seminary graduates and faculty (see below) and an informal reception.

Although Emily had to work Baccalaureate was a good time for Matthew and his folks to celebrate graduation with some of his classmates (many of whom were never found in the crowd after the graduation ceremony that evening). Here (from left) are proud graduates Milan Homola (holding daughter Arianna), Ford Jordan, Matthew and Paul Kwok.

That evening Matthew and many of his friends got to walk across the stage and receive their hoods as they graduated with Masters Degrees. Here Matthew receives his hood from Seminary Dean Dr. Brake. The combined graduation featured all of the Seminary classes as well as the undergrads at Multnomah Bible College. It didn't start until 7:30pm and featured a lengthy address (everyone I talked to agreed that Ford's was better) so it was pretty late when it finished up. The crowd afterward combined with the late hour and the presence of family and friends made it difficult to track down everyone we would have liked to see that evening and limited the celebration for that evening (although it would carry over to the coming days). We were able to track down some of our best friends for a few group photos at the end though.

Here Luke Thomas (MDiv), Zach Banker (MA), Mike Pace (MDiv) and Dave Searight (MDiv) stand left to right with Matthew on the end. This group of guys has studied, played, laughed, discussed theology, eaten, and done just about everything else together over the past three years of study together.

Although our wives (with the exception of Virginia Thomas who earned her Graduate Certificate) didn't get to walk across the stage this graduation was just as much for them as their accomplishment of supporting (financially and otherwise) their husbands as they earned their degrees. Above are the so called "Sugar Mamas" (from left) Virginia Thomas, Amanda Banker, Mellisa Pace, Erin Searight and Emily who celebrated earning their PHTs (putting hubby through) degrees with equal gusto.

We were blessed that Matthew's parents were willing and able to take valuable vacation time to come up for a week long visit that included graduation (check back for more on their visit). Here are Matthew and Emily with Matthew's parents Kathy and Tim Brooks on the big night.