Welcome to PSR's 157th Commencement Ceremony
Join us as we celebrate PSR’s Graduating Class of 2024 on May 19th at 4pm PT.
This year’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony will be held simultaneously via the livestream button and video player above, as well as in-person at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley.
Guest Speaker Bio
Rev. Dr. John Vaughn is an ordained minister in the American Baptist Churches currently serving as the Executive Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He works closely with the Church’s Senior Pastor, and U.S. Senator, Rev. Dr. Raphael G. Warnock in managing the overall vision, ministries, and operations of this iconic, international congregation. Known as America’s Freedom Church and the spiritual home of the Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. and Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Ebenezer remains at the forefront of the fight for social justice and community transformation.
Previously, Rev. Vaughn served for almost ten years as the Executive Vice President at Auburn Theological Seminary. He has also served as the Program Director for the Twenty-First Century Foundation based in Harlem, New York, a national foundation that advanced strategic giving for Black community change, and as Executive Director of the Peace Development Fund, which provides funding, training and assistance for grassroots peace and justice community organizing.
From 1996 to 2000, Rev. Vaughn served as the Minister for Education and Social Justice at the historic Riverside Church in New York City where fellow PSR alumnx, Adrienne Thorne (MDiv ‘08) is currently Senior Minister. His responsibilities included overseeing the Church’s ministries with children, youth, young adults, adult education, social justice, social services and small grants. He has also served as the Director for Community Development at the Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC) in Boston, Mass; The executive director of East Harlem Interfaith in New York City; The Action Assistant at The Riverside Church, and the Assistant Minister at the Hamilton United Methodist Church in San Francisco, Ca.
In addition to a Master of Divinity from PSR, Rev. Vaughn received his undergraduate degree from Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass, and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew Theological School. He is married to the Rev. Dr. P. Kimberleigh Jordan, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Together, they are the proud parents of two sons – James and Caleb.
Senior Gift - Class of 2024
Each year a “Senior Gift” in honor of the graduating class is collected and given either to PSR, for a specific project, or on behalf of the school to an organization or initiative aligned with PSR’s mission. We will announce the donation total during Commencement on Sunday, May 19th.
Senior Gift donations will be shared between our “Shelter in a Time of Storm” Student Emergency Fund and the Sogorea Te Land Trust.
You can contribute to this year’s senior gift through our Giving Page.
If you prefer to send in a gift, please make the check out to, Pacific School of Religion with ‘Senior Gift’ in the memo line and mail it to:
Pacific School of Religion, attn: Development Department
1798 Scenic Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709
Thank you in advance for your kind generosity on behalf of the PSR Class of 2024!
Important Info for Guests Attending In-Person
For guests attending in-person to this year’s commencement ceremonies, we encourage the use of masks indoors.
Parking for In-Person Attendees
- First Presbyterian Garage: Open and available on Sunday, May 19. Enter via Channing Way driveway. Subject to capacity limits.
- Telegraph Channing Garage: Located on Channing Way across from First Pres, this garage is available from 8 am until 10 pm. Take a ticket when you enter and validate it at First Pres reception.
- Note: The UC Ellsworth Parking Lot on Channing between Dana and Ellsworth Streets is available for PAID parking.
Digital Program
Ceremony Address