Bryan Stevenson, Founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI)
The renowned Bryan Stevenson was speaker for the 2025 Commencement Exercises at Seminary of the Southwest. Stevenson, a lawyer, author, and founder/Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) delivered a sermon during the ceremony and was awarded an honorary doctorate.
Commencement was held as a service of morning prayer at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
Upon announcement of this year’s speaker, SSW dean and president Dr. Scott Bader-Saye said, “Bryan Stevenson’s work with the Equal Justice Initiative has been transformative for challenging racial and economic injustice,” said Dr. Scott Bader-Saye, dean and president. “Last summer I visited the Legacy Sites of EJI in Montgomery with our students on the Civil Rights Pilgrimage. The sites—combining art, history, and powerful storytelling—gave us a profound window onto Black experience in this country. We are fortunate to have someone of such vision, grace, and courage delivering our commencement sermon.”
Click here to learn more about Bryan Stevenson.
Linnet Delly, Former U.S. Ambassador to the World Trade Organization
The Honorable Linnet Deily, former US Ambassador to the World Trade Organization was awarded an honorary doctorate at SSW’s 2025 Commencement Exercises. She is also the former executive board chair of the Episcopal Health Foundation. The very accomplished Deily is a graduate of the University of Texas. She is a generous philanthropist and has served in numerous impressive professional capacities, including having served our country as an ambassador. She has also served on various corporate boards.
