Princeton Theological Seminary Graduates 219 Students May 17, including four from Cyclone-devastated Myanmar

Photos and commencement address available May 20 at www.ptsem.edu

Princeton, NJ, May 19, 2008–Princeton Theological Seminary held its 196th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Princeton University Chapel. Seminary president Dr. Iain R. Torrance addressed the graduates.

Among the graduates were four students from Myanmar—Hrang Hlei, S. Than Aung, S’ Joseph, and Nant Tin Tin Win. Hrang Hlei, who graduated with a Master of Arts in Theological Studies and will begin a Ph.D. program at Luther Theological Seminary in the fall, was saddened and shocked to learn of the devastation that the cyclone has caused to his homeland. And while he is worried about the devastation and destruction, he has been encouraged by words of empathy and compassion from friends and professors at the Seminary, and sends his prayers to his fellow innocent citizens who are directly or indirectly affected by the cyclone. He hopes that “God will bring some good to the country out of this tragedy.”

Husband and wife Master of Arts graduates S’ Joseph and Nant Tin Tin Win plan to return to Myanmar, where he serves at the Myanmar Institute of Theology, at the beginning of June to serve the victims of the cyclone. “The cyclone breaks our hearts and also the heart of God,” says Joseph. “Our people have been waiting for us. Myanmar is not just our home, it is indeed our calling place.”

At this year’s commencement two hundred nineteen(219)students graduated in seven degree programs. One hundred thirty-eight (138) men and women received the Master of Divinity degree, the basic professional degree for Christian ministry. Three (3) students received the Master of Arts in Theological Studies degree; seven (7) students received the Master of Arts degree; twenty-eight (28) the Master of Theology degree; fourteen (14) the Doctor of Ministry degree; and six (6) the Master of Divinity/Master of Arts dual degree.

Twenty-three (23) students were awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the highest degree granted by the institution.

There were nineteen (19) international students in the graduating class, including students from the United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Russia, Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Brazil, South Africa, Myanmar, Thailand, Egypt, and Cameroon.

For additional information, contact the Communications/Publications Office at 609.497.7760 or visit. www.ptsem.edu.

Princeton Theological Seminary was founded in 1812 as the first seminary established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. It is the largest Presbyterian seminary in the country, with more than 700 students in seven graduate degree programs. 

-------30-------