Erin Tamayo earns Master of Divinity degree from SFTS

SAN ANSELMO, CA (05/27/2011)(readMedia)-- San Francisco Theological Seminary graduated 62 students in six degree and diploma programs on Saturday, May 21, on a beautiful, sunny day amid the redwoods at Bouick Field. With 20 graduates from Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, Mexico and Canada, SFTS continues to stand out as a training ground for international theologians and pastors.

Erin Tamayo of Michigan City, Ind., is one of 28 students who earned a Master of Divinity degree, the first professional degree in theological studies. She is seeking an ordained position in a faith-rooted organizing ministry in Southern California. She hopes to serve the urban poor with persons of a wide variety of faith traditions.

Tamayo earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in bilingual education and Spanish at Arizona State. As part of her science requirement, she taught geology to Spanish-speaking students and also began to teach English for a community-based program sponsored by a tiny Spanish-speaking Presbyterian church in nearby Tempe.

After graduating from Arizona State, she taught first grade to students whose primary language is Spanish. "Even when I was teaching, I knew in my heart that God was calling me," Tamayo recalls.

Before moving to Pasadena, where she attend seminary at the SFTS Southern California campus, Tamayo received a Master of Arts degree from Northern Arizona University.

Founded in 1871, SFTS has a rich history of service to the church. As an institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of the Graduate Theological Union, SFTS remains dedicated to being a Christ-centered academic community, rooted in the Reformed tradition that embraces a diverse student body. With a focus on spiritual formation, critical theological reflection, and the skills and arts of ministry, SFTS prepares Christian leaders to serve in congregations, the wider church, classrooms and the public sphere.