Manchester, United Kingdom – Eight people received doctoral degrees on 22 October during Nazarene Theological College’s graduation ceremony – the largest graduating group of doctoral candidates in the college’s history.

They were among a total of 46 people from 14 nations who received degrees during the ceremony that was held in Whitworth Hall at the University of Manchester, of which NTC is a partnership college. (All of NTC’s degrees are granted by the university.) The class of 2011 was the second largest since 1999, which saw 51 people graduate.

About 450 people attended the event, including a local Member of Parliament and a University of Manchester representative.

“We are excited by the record number of graduands this year, and the variety of countries and ministries they represent,” said Dr. David McCulloch, principal of NTC. “It is a privilege to serve the Church of the Nazarene in the Eurasia region and around the world.”

Graduates represented all six of the Church of the Nazarene’s world regions: Africa (Ghana, Swaziland, Sudan), Asia-Pacific (Australia), Mesoamerica (Belize), USA/Canada (both), South America (Colombia) and Eurasia (UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, Lebanon, Italy).

One of those was Diego Lopez, of Colombia, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology: Youth Work & Ministry.

“NTC has given me a framework on which to build towards an understanding and appreciation of theology from the Wesleyan perspective but also make me aware of other theological trends,” Lopez said.

As a full-time student, Lopez also ministered to youth in urban Manchester through a faithbased youth project, as part of the pastoral team at Longsight Community Church of the Nazarene, and as a chess coach in a local primary school.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that … graduation weekend has been one of the best weekends of my life!” said Claire Simmonds, from Stafford, U.K., who received a Bachelor of Arts in Theology at NTC.

Along with several other graduates, Simmonds rated the lectures as a highlight of her time at NTC.

“I eagerly looked forward to my lectures and felt it was a privilege to listen to, engage with, and sometimes be challenged by so many varied and fascinating aspects of theology.”

Svetlana Khobnya, originally from Russia, studied full-time in Didsbury toward her PhD in Biblical studies, New Testament.

She enjoyed the multi-cultural environment of NTC, which allowed space for “great and inspiring conversations with supervisors and fellow students.” She was also able to gain learning and teaching experience.

The multi-cultural character of the graduating class was also reflected in the keynote speaker, Dr. Gustavo Crocker, Eurasia Regional director, originally from Guatemala.

When Crocker was a recent high school graduate, he watched as Dr. McCulloch, a Nazarene missionary to Latin America, presided over his first commencement as president of Nazarene Theological Institute in Guatemala.

“30 years later, I was invited to speak at Dr. McCulloch's last commencement ceremony as principal of NTC, since he will retire next year,” Crocker said. “It was my missions going full circle!”

Crocker encouraged the graduates to "celebrate, live with profound simplicity, stay focused on the mission, keep their head in the right place, and remain anchored in the Word of God."

During the ceremony, Dr. Herbert McGonigle, senior research fellow and senior lecturer in Church History, received the Eurasia Region Lifetime Education Award, recommended by the Eurasia Educational Council and awarded by the Eurasia Regional Advisory Committee. Dr. McGonigle served NTC for 35 years, 16 of which as the principal.

When Stephen Ottley, a graduate from Belize who is now ministering in Canada, addressed his colleagues, he said, "NTC is perhaps one of the denomination's best-kept secrets. The school provides deep scholarship in the Wesleyan Holiness tradition and it does so while preparing the students for service.”

Fast Facts

The graduating class represented:

8 PhD graduates

16 MA graduates

3 graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma in Theology,

17 BA (honors) graduates

1 Recipient of a Diploma in Theology, and

1 Recipient of a Certificate in Theology

photos courtesy - Jonathan Stubbs, Student Social Life coordinator