
Rev. Dr. Hakizimana Appolinaire is the 2024-25 Alum of the Year
Rev. Dr. Hakizimana Appolinaire serves as a Country Director of Scripture Union Rwanda, and Pastor in the Anglican Church of Rwanda, Diocese of Karongi. From 2019- 2020, he served as Professional Chaplain, in University of California, San Francisco’s hospital. From 2019- 2022, he was a deputy Regal Representative of the Anglican Church, Gahini Diocese. From 2003 – 2010, Dr. Appolinaire served as Executive Secretary of World mission frontiers in Tanzania, Africa, and as a Pastor of Rukara Parish in the Anglican Church from (2000 – 2003). He holds a Doctorate of Ministry from Berkeley School of Theology, two Masters’ degrees, one from Wyclif University, and the other from Berkeley School of Theology, and a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from Tanga, Tanzania. Appolinaire is married to Mukarwego Esperance, with three sons. He received vision to build East Africa Community Healing when he was working in the UCSF hospital where he was working as a professional Chaplain, after understanding how much people are suffering in the hospital physical, mental, and spiritual disease. He wishes to see no one suffering alone, He hopes that through the Community Healing Center project, people will learn how to support each other during someone’s suffering.
2025 Alum of the Year Nominations
Nominations for the 2025-26 award will be hosted from July 1 – August 31, 2025. Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination! This could be a congregant, colleague, faculty, fellow volunteer, or another alum. Simply fill out the nomination form below, and within 24 business hours, you will receive a confirmation email from the BST Alumni Office. Thank you for your time and submission!
Since 1981, alums of the Berkeley School of Theology have been selected for their excellence in ministry and support of the Seminary to receive the Distinguished Alum of the Year Award (formerly the Alumnus/a of the Year Award). Previous award winners include:
2023 Karen Yee
2022 Celinda Miranda
2020 Kenneth Van Bik
2019 Diane Hooge
2018 Michael-Ray Mathews
2017 Kathryn Choy-Wong
2013 Florence Li
2005 Jan and Myron Chartier
2003 William Cline
2002 Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes
2001 David W. Roberts
2000 Marvin Friesen
1999 Gillette O. James
1998 Emil J. Authelet
1997 James E. Conklin
1996 William Edward Calbert
1995 Everett W. Curry, Jr.
1994 William Sutterlin
1993 Marilyn Marston
1992 James Chuck
1991 Emory Campbell
1990 James H. Stewart
1989 Glenn “Jerry” Gano
1988 John E. Skoglund
1987 John Townsend
1986 Violet Rudd
1985 David Van Bik
1984 John “Bud” Carroll
1983 Linnea A. Nelson
1982 J Palmer Watson
1981 A Stanley MacNair