IBS Holds Commencement at JSC

Students, faculty, trustees and friends of the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) gathered at the Jodo Shinshu Center (JSC) in Berkeley, California, on May 21 to celebrate the graduating students.

Dr. Thomas Calobrisi delivered the commencement address. Faculty and staff also led a memorial service for Camille Reddy, an IBS student who passed away this spring.

Following Dr. Calobrisi’s address and remarks by IBS Dean Rev. Dr. Takashi Miyaji and and Dr. Leroy Morishita, Rev. Dr. Miyaji acknowledged the 2025 graduates, and conferred degrees and certificates to the following students:

2025 Degree Graduates

Chris Rolitsky, Master of Arts in Buddhist Studies

Sydney Shiroyama, Master of Buddhist Studies

Amy Shoemaker, Master of Divinity

Certificate in Buddhist Chaplaincy

Edward Tcheleshev

Ryoko Osa

Certificate in Buddhist Studies

Stephen Bales

Sumreen Chaudhry

Maria Nicolacopoulou

Certificate in Shin Buddhist Studies

Rev. Dr. Jean-Paul DeGuzman

Galen Gorelangton

Rev. Rosalie May

Mariko Nishiyama

Sara Perrott

Sharon Sasaki