Pembroke Chaplain Awarded Honorary Doctorate from BYU

NEWS |

We’re delighted to share that Pembroke Chaplain, the Revd Dr Andrew Teal, was last week awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Brigham Young University, Utah.

The award is the highest honour that BYU confers on individuals, given in recognition of an outstanding life and contributions to the world. Dr Teal’s honorary doctorate in Christian Service and Education follows a growing relationship with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and other global faith leaders who are working to increase freedom of religion, interfaith understanding and collaborative acts of service across nations and communities.

Andrew Teal receiving honorary degree from Brigham Young University President Kevin J Worthen and academic vice president C. Shane Reese

Credit: Spenser Heaps, Desert News

The degree was conferred by BYU President Kevin J Worthen at the university’s commencement (graduation) ceremony in Provo, Utah on 27th April. Speaking at the ceremony, Elder Christofferson, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said of Andrew: “Yours is a life well-lived, and your association with Brigham Young University adds a certain brightness to the reputation and stature of our school. We have sought to honour you, but you conspicuously honour us by your character and contributions.”

Andrew was invited to give an address to the university’s graduates and their families and friends during the commencement ceremony.

He shares: “At its best, the Academy is committed to an education which imparts a respect for, and a reaching towards, truth, beauty, and goodness - the elusive qualities of excellence. I learnt that in the U.S., graduation is called commencement - a term that looks forward to what lies ahead. Excellence holds together individual priorities with social responsibility, and projects our self- and sectional interests into the service of the common good. This award is an unexpected, astonishing kindness, which I value and will always seek to honour.”

Our warmest congratulations to Andrew on this significant achievement.