St. Davids, PA: Eastern University is excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil to the May 6, 2017 commencement ceremony as the featured speaker. Rev. Dr. McNeil is recognized internationally as one of the front leaders of reconciliation and was featured by Christianity Today in 2012 as one of the 50 Most Influential Women to Watch.
Serving as Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies in the School of Theology at Seattle Pacific University, Rev. Dr. McNeil directs the Reconciliation Studies program. She is also an ordained pastor at both the Evangelical Covenant Church and Quest Church in Seattle. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for Wycliffe USA and InterVarsity Christian Fellowship USA, where she served as a Multiethnic Ministries Specialist for fourteen years. A dynamic speaker, author and trailblazer with over twenty-five years of experience in the ministry of reconciliation, she works to inspire, equip and empower emerging Christian leaders to be practitioners of reconciliation in their various spheres of influence around the world. She is the author of A Credible Witness and Roadmap to Reconciliation as well as a coauthor of The Heart of Racial Justice.
Rev. Dr. McNeil earned her Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Denver, CO; a Doctorate of Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary in St. Davids, PA; and was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters from North Park University in Chicago, IL.
Rev. Dr. Brenda is married to Dr. J. Derek McNeil and they are the proud parents of two young adult children.
Commencement will be held at 10 a.m. for undergraduate students and 3 p.m . for Esperanza College, Adult Undergraduate and Graduate students on Auxiliary field on the St. Davids campus at 1300 Eagle Road.
Eastern University is a Philadelphia Christian university of the arts and sciences located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia at 1300 Eagle Road in St. Davids, PA. Eastern enrolls approximately 3,500 students in its undergraduate, graduate, professional, urban, Seminary and international programs. Its core values of faith, reason and justice are woven into all of its educational programs. For more information visit www.eastern.edu or contact Denise McMillan, Communications Director, 610-341-4365, dmcmill@eastern.edu.