The Commissioning Service
Since 1962, an annual Commissioning Service has been held for graduating students. The Commissioning Service is one of the spiritual high points of the school year. It is the College’s way of sending off the leaving students with its love and prayerful support. The departing students are commissioned to fulfill their ministry in Christ’s Church as they opportunity.
Annual John Gladstone Sermon
The person selected to preach the sermon for the Commissioning Service is invited to give the Annual John Gladstone Sermon, named for the highly regarded Senior Minister at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church in Toronto, Ontario, where he served between 1965 and 1991. The Reverend Dr. Allison A. Trites delivered the inaugural John Gladstone Sermon on April 4, 2002, with Dr. John Gladstone present at the Commissioning Service. Dr. Trites is the Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Emeritus, Acadia University.
Speakers for the annual Commissioning Service have included:
1963 H.M. DeWolfe
1964 Gerald Ward
1965 Harold Mitton
1966 W. John MacDonald
1967 Hubert Bartlett
1968 Keith Hobson
1969 Nelson Metcalfe
1970 George L. McNeill
1971 Malcolm F. Harlow
1972 George E. Levy
1973 Samuel J. Baxter
1974 Morris R.B. Lovesey
1975 I. Judson Levy
1976 Gordon S. Patch
1977 Ralph C. Chalmers
1978 G. Gerald Harrop
1979 Abner J. Langley
1980 Leonard F. Hatfield
1981 Thomas Robinson
1982 John B. Corston
1983 Charles Taylor
1984 James D. Glasse
1985 Harold L. Mitton
1986 H. Oliver Ohsberg
1987 Millard R. Cherry
1988 Donald Robertson
1989 George L. McNeill
1990 Malcolm F. Harlow
1991 Hedley Hopkins
1992 John W. Bartol
1993 J.R.C. Perkin
1994 Frank E. Locke
1995 Hugh McNally
1996 Sharon Budd
1997 Harry G. Gardner
1998 Andrew D. MacRae
1999 Pierre M. Allard
2000 David Phillips
2001 Dennis Veinotte
2002 Allison A. Trites
2003 Roy Williams
2004 Michael Quicke
2005 Harry G. Gardner
2006 Jonathan Wilson
2007 Lee M. McDonald
2008 Brian D. MacArthur
2009 Lois Mitchell
2010 Andrew Stirling
2011 Robert Wilson
2012 Allison A. Trites
2013 Pierre M. Allard
2014 Sarah Scott
2015 Lionel M. Moriah
2016 Robert R. Nylen
2017 J. Peter Holmes
2018 Carol Anne Janzen
2019 Harry G. Gardner
2020 Robert R. Nylen
2021 Gary V. Nelson
President’s Award
The recipient of the Acadia University Silver Medal in Theology shall receive the President’s Award of $500 for attaining the highest grade point average over his or her entire academic career at Acadia Divinity College, and who, in the judgement of the faculty, shows great potential for ministry.
Bronze Medal in Theology
The Acadia University Bronze Medal in Theology is awarded annually to the Bachelor of Theology graduate with the highest CGPA. This award is made annually at Spring Convocation by the University.
Silver Medal in Theology
The Acadia University Silver Medal in Theology is awarded to the top all-around Master of Divinity or Master of Arts (Theology) graduating student at Acadia Divinity College. Primary consideration will be given to students who have achieved a minimum CGPA of 3.6, with at least 75% of their degree requirements having been completed at Acadia. In addition to meeting the academic criteria, students will demonstrate spiritual maturity, an interest in the life of the College, and meaningful contribution to the ministry and life of the Church. This award is made annually at Spring Convocation by the University at the recommendation of the Faculty of Theology. Students may not receive this award more than once.
HONORARY DOCTORATE
An Honorary Doctorate is an honour bestowed by the University and is intended to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the academy and/or society and whose accomplishments, leadership, and/or community service are deemed to be extraordinary and thus worthy of honoris causa – “for the sake of the honour”.
Previous recipients are available at this link:
https://www2.acadiau.ca/alumni-friends/alumni/awards/honorary-degrees.html
Guidelines are found here: