Welcome to PSR's 158th Commencement Ceremony
Join us as we celebrate PSR’s Graduating Class of 2025 on May 25th at 4pm PT.
This year’s 2025 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
Patrick B. Reyes, PhD
A Chicano writer, theologian, and executive leader, Patrick B. Reyes, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of The Purpose Gap and Nobody Cries When We Die. He is the dean of Auburn Theological Seminary. He has been recognized for his service and scholarship by higher education institutions, receiving awards from institutions such as Boston University, Duke Leadership, Children’s Defense Fund, and Hispanic Theological Initiative, and was inducted into the Morehouse College MLK Jr. Collegium of Scholars in 2023. The Council of Independent Colleges NetVUE selected The Purpose Gap as the Big Read for 2022-2023. He previously served the Forum for Theological Exploration, hosted the Sound of the Genuine podcast, and served as the board president of the Religious Education Association. He volunteers as the co-dean of the Freedom Seminary for the Children’s Defense Fund. Patrick provides leadership on several boards in theological and higher education, publications, and the non-profit sector, supporting the next generation of Black, Indigenous, and Chicano spiritual and cultural leaders.
Senior Gift - Class of 2025
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 25th.
This year, we will be dividing the gift between 3 causes:
- PSR Student Emergency Fund
- Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples
- Luke Vakaliwaliwa Scholarship Fund
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 2025!
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 25. Enter via Channing Way driveway. There is an elevator to the main level where all Commencement activities will take place.
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.
- Note: The UC Ellsworth Parking Lot on Channing between Dana and Ellsworth Streets is available for PAID parking.
Digital Program
Ceremony Address