Join us for BST Alumni: Building Sanctuary as we move beyond reflection and into intentional creation. This alumni gathering is a collective exploration of how BST alumni are actively designing and constructing spaces of profound healing and safety. Hear from alumni panelists about the practical steps, collaborative efforts, and structural choices required to translate the concept of “holy ground” into inclusive, sustainable, and restorative sanctuaries within their diverse professional and community spheres. We’ll also have some time to honor our alumni with graduation anniversaries!
Please select YES for email communications to receive the confirmation email with the Zoom link.
PROGRAM
4:00 – 4:15 PM
4:15 – 4:45pm
4:45 – 5pm
5:00pm – 5:10pm
5:10 – 5:55pm
5:55 – 6:00pm
Opening prayer and Welcome by Rev. Dr. Angie Barker Jackson
Graduation Anniversaries!*
Socializing
Break
Alumni Panelist Discussion*
Closing remarks and prayer
*Recorded session
graduation anniversaries
Did you graduate from Berkeley School of Theologly in one of the classes below? You’re celebrating a graduation anniversary in 2026! At the winter Alumni Gathering, we will acknowledge alumni in attendance with anniversary milestones. Register and reconnect with your fellow alumni!
Class of 1956: 70-year anniversary
Class of 1961: 65-year anniversary
Class of 1966: 60-year anniversary
Class of 1971: 55-year anniversary
Class of 1976: 50-year anniversary
Class of 1981: 45-year anniversary
Class of 1986: 40-year anniversary
Class of 1991: 35-year anniversary
Class of 1996: 30-year anniversary
Class of 2001: 25-year anniversary
Class of 2006: 20-year anniversary
Class of 2011: 15-year anniversary
Class of 2016: 10-year anniversary
Class of 2021: 5-year anniversary
Alumni panelists
Rev. Dr. Rogelio Ovalle (MDiv, 2002)
Rev. Dr. Rogelio Ovalle is BST’s 2025-26 Alum of the Year. A 2002 graduate of Berkeley School of Theology, he serves as Affiliate Faculty specializing in Christian Education for the Latino Initiative and as senior pastor of “The House Church” in Visalia, California. Dr. Ovalle is nationally recognized for his unwavering commitment to social justice and barrio ministry, particularly through his work with the Puerto Rican diaspora on the board of Semilla de Bienestar. His influential leadership includes serving as the first Latino Superintendent on the Board of Northwest University and as a former chaplain for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A dedicated educator, he has taught at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, SUM College, and Bethany University.
Rev. Dr. Rev. Dr. Allison J. Tanner (MA, 1998 & MDiv, 2000)
Rev. Dr. Allison J. Tanner is a pastor, educator and organizer working for justice and healing in her multiple contexts. She is the National Organizer of the Apartheid-Free Communities initiative, convened by American Friends Service Committee. She also serves as the Pastor of Public Witness at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland, California. She travels the country educating and empowering faith communities to engage in justice efforts, especially for Palestinians and immigrants. Dr. Tanner has a passion for uniting spirituality and social justice, building relationships across difference, creating beloved community, and motivating churches to more fully incarnate the gospel.
Rev. Shavon K. Walker (MDiv, 2021)
Rev. Shavon Walker, an Oakland-based Baptist pastor with degrees from the University of the Pacific, Cal State University East Bay, and Berkeley School of Theology, has dedicated her life to combining traditional ministry with innovative outreach, including teaching at various institutions and live-streaming on Twitch to spread messages of hope. Her commitment to social justice manifests through her work with organizations like The Reformation Project and SisterSong, while she balances her pastoral duties with a personal life shared with her spouse and cat Mocha, exemplifying her holistic approach to faith and community service.
Rev. Dr. Rick Mixon (MDiv, 1973)
Dr. Rick teaches Pastoral Care as Affiliate Faculty at Berkeley School of Theology. He is an ordained American Baptist minister with over 50 years of experience in pastoral ministry, church leadership, and social justice advocacy. Since October 2024, Rick currently serves as the Interim Pastor of First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor. From 2006-2020, Rick was Pastor at First Baptist Church of Palo Alto, California and since then has held several interim pastorships all over the United States. Rick has also been involved in various regional and national organizations, such as the Alliance of Baptists, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, the American Baptist Minister’s Council, and the Santa Clara County Council of Christian Churches. In addition, Rick holds his M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy from California State University-East Bay in Hayward, California and Ph.D. in Religion and Personality from the Graduate Theological Union.
Chaplain Kwee T.L. Say (MDiv & MCL, 2019)
Chaplain Say is a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and is currently serving as a Command Chaplain aboard the USS ROSS (DDG 71). She joined the U.S. Navy in 2018 as a non-active reservist and started her active duty in the Navy in October 2022. Kwee came to America in 2004 from Burma (Myanmar) and is the very first Burmese Karen, her ethnic group from Burma, to become a Chaplain in the United States Navy. She received dual degrees from Berkeley School of Theology, in Divinity and Community Leadership. Chaplain Say was ordained in the American Baptist Churches USA and Karen Baptist Churches USA.
directions
The program is located in Fleming Hall. You can enter BST’s campus from Dwight Way. There will be directional signs. For directions to BST’s campus including public transportation and parking lots, please refer to BST’s website.
la versión en español
La Oficina de Graduados/as de BST se complace en ser anfitriona de nuestra Reunión de Graduados/as de primavera, Esperanza en la Celebración: Honrando a los Graduados/as y Exalumnos/as de BST, el viernes 16 de mayo de 2025. En esta reunión presencial, honraremos a los nuevos graduados/as de 2025 y les daremos la bienvenida a la comunidad de graduados/as de BST. Este será un evento tipo recepción y se servirán aperitivos abundantes.
Los familiares de los graduados/as son bienvenidos a asistir; la familia puede registrarse a través del formulario de inscripción que se encuentra a continuación. El espacio es limitado y se asignará por orden de llegada.
Exalumnos/as de BST: ¡reconéctense con sus compañeros, celebren y ayúdennos a dar la bienvenida a los graduados/as de 2025 a la comunidad!
Información del Programa
Fecha: Viernes, 16 de mayo de 2025
Hora: 5:30 – 7:30 p. m.
Lugar: Fleming Hall, en el campus de BST
PROGRAMA
5:30 – 6:00 PM Registración, socialización y aperitivos abundantes
6:00 – 7:00 PM Homenaje a los Graduados/as y Exalumnos/as de BST
7:00 – 7:30 PM Postre
INSTRUCCIONES
El programa se llevará a cabo en Fleming Hall. Pueden ingresar al campus de BST desde Dwight Way. Habrá señales indicativas. Para obtener indicaciones sobre cómo llegar al campus de BST, incluyendo transporte público y estacionamientos, por favor consulten el sitio web de BST.
Upcoming 2026 Alumni Gatherings
Save the date for our next in-person Alumni Gathering on Friday, May 15, 2026!
Then the Alumni Office shone the spotlight on seven incredible alumni who were celebrating milestone graduation anniversaries! A legacy of leadership, service, and impact, we celebrated our alumni who have been making a difference for up to an incredible fifty years!
- Rev. Dr. Barbara Jim-George (2010, MDiv): 15 years
- Rev. Dr. Lauren Lisa Ng (2005, MDiv): 20 years
- Rev. Dr. Lauran D. Bethell (1985, MDiv): 40 years
- Rev. Timothy T. Malone (1985, MDiv): 40 years
- Rev. Katie Choy-Wong (1980, MDiv): 45 years
- Rev. Dr. Douglas R. Sharp (1975, MDiv): 50 years
- Rev. Brad M. Veitch (1975, MDiv): 50 years
The BST Alumni Office is sending a massive wave of gratitude to every single person who attended and brought the energy to make this evening absolutely unforgettable. Your presence, your enthusiasm, and your unwavering support are what make the BST family so extraordinary. Thank you for making it a truly special night!
