In Pictures: The 200th Matriculation

To matriculate into a school is to be claimed by that school as a child. 

The word "matriculation" comes from the Latin “matrix” or “womb”. It is commonplace to refer to a school as our “alma mater”, which literally means “our nourishing mother”.  When we matriculate, or when we call a school our “alma matter”, we signal our adoption into a new family. 

Adoption is one of the primary theological metaphors used by the Church to interpret the work of God’s grace that is at play within the sacrament of baptism.  In baptism, we respond to God’s offer of love and affirmation with promises.  These promises, made on or own or on our behalf, are ways that we acknowledge that by being adopted into the family of God we commit to live a life that is shaped by the character (the virtues, we might say) of this new family. 

This Matriculation featured General's first hybrid M.Div cohort. Sixteen seminarians from around the country arrived to the Close for a week of fellowship, learning, and worship. While General transitions into its next century of mission and formation, it's clear that the spirit of Chelsea Square is vibrant, enduring, and generously shared from our community to this emerging group of Christian leaders. 

To our Matriculated students, we as a community commit to prayerfully support your journey in the years ahead. You are surrounded by committed faculty, committed staff, and the love and example of engaged alumni. Our family at General remains strong, because of the trust our students have in us, and the hope we have in future generations in following their call for lives of impact and purpose. 

Dean Michael