Hood Theological Seminary

SALISBURY — Hood Theological Seminary will hold its Honors Awards and Closing Convocation at 7 p.m. Friday in Varick Auditorium at Livingstone College.

The program will begin with an academic procession of graduates and faculty. Master degree recipients will be hooded in preparation for their graduation on Saturday, and student awards will be presented.

Daran Mitchell, adjunct professor of pastoral theology, will be the speaker for the program.

Mitchell, a native of Tampa, Florida, earned a bachelor of arts degree in religion and philosophy, liberal studies, from Bethune-Cookman College, a master of divinity degree from Hood seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree from Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University.

Mitchell has served congregations in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and New York and is now  pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro.

Mitchell has also served as an adjunct professor in religion at Mount Olive College, North Carolina Wesleyan College, United Christian College and New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

Mitchell is chairman of the board of examiners for the West Central North Carolina Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; chairman of the finance committee for the conference; chairman of the budget committee for the Greensboro District; a member of the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro; president of the Greensboro Chapter of Hood Theological Seminary Alumni Association; and a member of the Greensboro Interfaith Council.

Mitchell has received numerous awards and honors, including the Ecumenical Leadership Award from the Medgar Evers Community Council. He was recently inducted into the Martin Luther King Board of Preachers at Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Hood Theological Seminary will celebrate its 17th commencement at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Varick Auditorium at Livingstone College.

Programs leading up to graduation begin Thursday evening with the 14th annual Bishop James Walker Hood Donor and Scholar Recognition Dinner. A traditional part of the dinner is the presentation of the Bishop’s Award, which honors individuals, couples or organizations who have made significant contributions to Hood, the community and humankind.

The Milestone Luncheon on Friday is a reunion of alumni. The Senior Barbecue on Friday evening will honor graduates.