Art students and professors: Emily Martinus ’03, Michael Sell ’03, Professor Jeff Ball, Professor Pi Benio, Professor Catherine Royer, Annie Morton ’03 and Angela Scantlen ’03.	Senior Class Vice President Laura Pitcher ’03 and Senior Class President Jennifer Kay ’03 tie the class ribbon on the Shepherd’s Crook.
Dr. Caine presents Rob Darnton ’03 with his diploma.	FINALLY! The graduates leave the Merillat after the ceremony.
The processional	Aaron Hemgesberg ’03 gets a congratulatory hug.

Steven J. Buck, Doctor of Divinity
Steven J. Buck is a highly respected United Methodist pastor. Since 1993, he has been the senior pastor at Court Street United Methodist Church in Flint. Prior to that time, Rev. Buck served churches in Marquette, Royal Oak, and Yale, Mich., and in Salem, Ill.

From 1993 to 2002, Rev. Buck served Adrian College with distinction as a member of the Adrian College Board of Trustees representing the Detroit Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. For several years he chaired the Student Recruitment and Retention Committee.

Rev. Buck earned a bachelor’s degree from Marion College (now Indiana Wesleyan University) in 1972, and a master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1975. He is an active volunteer working through agencies such as Kiwanis International and Habitat for Humanity.

James H. Cone, Doctor of Humane Letters
Dr. James H. Cone is an ordained minister and a renowned theologian. He is currently the Charles A. Briggs Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Dr. Cone’s research and teaching are in the field of Christian theology, with special attention on black theology and the theologies of Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as 20th century European-American theologies. He has published many influential books and articles. Many anthologies of religion include examples of his work and he is regarded as a seminal voice in American theology.

Dr. Cone taught in the Religion and Philosophy Department at Adrian College from 1966 to 1969. While here he wrote his first major book, “Black Theology and Black Power.”

He received a bachelor’s degree from Garrett Theological Seminary in 1961, a master’s degree from Northwestern University in 1963 and a doctorate from Northwestern University in 1965.

Robert M. Ransom, Doctor of Laws
The Honorable Robert M. Ransom is the Chief Judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Genesee County. He has been a Circuit Judge since 1977. His work as Chief Judge commenced in 1984, and he is the only Genesee County Circuit Judge to serve multiple terms.

Judge Ransom has been a pioneer in finding new approaches to drug offenders in the judicial system. In 1989 he represented Michigan in efforts to develop a national policy concerning drug issues. He later established a Drug Court for Genesee County.

Judge Ransom is a faculty member at the Michigan Judicial Institute, is an adjunct professor at Thomas M. Cooley Law School, and has lectured nationally on subjects of Tort Law and Trial.

He earned an associate’s degree from Mott Community College in 1958, a bachelor’s degree from Adrian College in 1959, and a juris doctorate from the Detroit College of Law in 1962.

Most photos on page by Kerrie Griffth Richardson ’00