Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will celebrate its 213th commencement activities Thurs., May 28 at 7:00 p.m. at East Liberty Presbyterian Church. Baccalaureate services will be held the day prior at 7:30 p.m. in the Seminary’s Hicks Memorial Chapel.
Dr. Russell E. Richey, professor of church history at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, will speak at commencement. The Rev. Dr. Charles Partee, PC Rossin Professor of Church History at PTS, will preach the baccalaureate sermon.
Richey’s research interest is American religious history, with special emphases including Methodism, comparative denominational studies, and American civil or public religion. He earned his degrees from Princeton University (Ph.D. and M.A.), Union Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Wesleyan University (B.A.). His recent publications include Marks of Methodism (Abingdon Press, 2005), Episcopacy in the Methodist Tradition (Abingdon Press, 2004), and The Methodist Experience in America (Abingdon Press, 2000).
Partee received his bachelor’s from Maryville College. He continued his studies at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he received the B.D. and at the University of Texas (Austin) receiving his master’s in classical philosophy. He earned his doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary in theology with a concentration in the history of doctrine. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh Seminary in 1978, Partee served as a pastor in Arkansas and New Jersey and as a professor at two colleges. Most of his scholarly writing concerns the Theology of John Calvin. Recently he wrote The Theology of John Calvin (WJK, 2008). Partee has also written a book dealing with the pioneer missionary career of his father-in-law, a 1934 graduate of Pittsburgh Seminary, entitled Adventure in Africa: The Story of Don McClure (University of America, 2000) and with Andrew Purves Encountering God: Christian Faith in Turbulent Times (WJK, 2000).
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 380 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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