Pathway to Graduation

2023 Commencement Information Hub

Recording Prompts | Submit Your Video | Graduation Pick-Up | Invitation Pick-Up | Digital Invitation | Parking

Greetings Colleagues in Ministry,

On behalf of our President David Crawford, Dean Steed Davidson, Faculty, and Staff, we congratulate the Class of 2023 graduates of McCormick Theological Seminary. During these unprecedented times, you have been faithful and flexible, committed and compassionate. Now, the finish line is clearly in sight and Commencement 2023 is right around the corner. 

Commencement Day will be Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 2pm CT.

In order to prepare our 2023 Commencement experience, we need a 30-45 second video from each graduate which characterizes your time at McCormick. Please upload your video via Dropbox below.

As a seminary, we have worked diligently to provide a transformational educational experience, ignited by the call to justice, to prepare bold, prophetic leaders who are equipped to tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues from a theological perspective. Therefore, for the video, respond to the appropriate prompt below.

Recording Prompts

Certificate & Masters Level Graduates Prompt

“As I come to this moment in my education, my journey at McCormick Theological Seminary is best summarized by __(fill in the blank)__________________.”

Doctor of Ministry Graduates Prompt

“My Doctor of Ministry Project has impacted me and those to whom I minister to by __(fill in the blank)__________________.” Note: Please do not include the title or topic of the project at this time.

We invite all graduates to record their video using the language with which they are most comfortable. We are open to receiving videos in languages other than English.

Please prepare and rehearse your remarks to ensure they are within the time limits. There is no need to introduce yourself; your name and degree will appear on the screen. In order to prepare for the celebration, we need all videos from Certificate, Masters and DMin students by Monday, May 1st, 2023.

Best practices for recording your video:

  • Use good natural light. Face a window for the good light.  Pick a simple background. a solid or simple wall, not too busy, and no bright windows behind you to make you “back-lit."

  • Set up your phone or computer for HORIZONTAL/LANDSCAPE recording (not vertical/portrait). Place your phone/computer at eye-level or a little elevated, not below eye-level. 

  • Wear good colors that contrast with your background.

  • Project your voice for the best audio and keep your volume at a 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 (as 10 often distorts).

  • Before recording, take a moment to notice background noises and try to eliminate them: no radio, no tv, no other voices in background, no a/c or loud heating.

  •  You can choose to prerecord and upload it into the VideoAsk platform. If you do, please record in high definition or 4K.

Commencement in any educational institution is a joyous celebration of years of work and achievement. We will use all available tools to ensure that you, your families and loved ones, as well as the whole McCormick community, can enjoy a meaningful, thoughtful experience. 

We are proud of all each graduate has accomplished, and even more so as you show diligence, flexibility, strength, and perseverance in these final weeks of your seminary program. We have never had greater reason to be proud of the McCormick community and our students! 

If you have any questions, comments and/or concerns, please feel free to let us know.  

God bless each of you. 

Submit Your Video Here

Reminder: we need all videos from Certificate, Masters and DMin students by Monday, May 1st, 2023.

Graduation Pick-Up (regalia and other items)

At McCormick Main Entrance Reception Area

Monday, May 8th: 4-6 pm

Wednesday, May 10th: 4-6 pm

Thursday, May 11th: 4-6 pm

If you need to pick up prior to 4 pm, please feel free to contact Chandra Wade at cwade@mccormick.edu.

Invitation Pickup

Graduation invitation will be available starting April 28th; they may be picked up from the McCormick Reception Desk between 8:30 and 4:30, Monday through Friday. (Invitations will be mailed to non-local DMin graduates.)

Parking

Hyde Park Union Church does not have designated parking. Street parking may be available in the vicinity, and parking will be available on a first-come first-served basis at McCormick’s above ground parking lot and underground parking garage at 5460 S. University Ave. Drop-offs at the church for the service should be made at the corner of East 56th Street and South Woodlawn Ave. A map with the most convenient walking route from McCormick to the church is below.