McCormick Days 2025
AUGUST 1, 2025
Unfolding Stories of Faith: Going Against the Grain
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
— Romans 12:2
This fall, McCormick Days 2025, October 16-17, invites our alumni, students, and friends to gather under the theme: Unfolding Stories of Faith: Going Against the Grain. This year’s gathering calls us into the sacred tension of transformation. In a world that rewards conformity, we celebrate faith that resists. We lift up voices that speak truth when silence is safer and ministries rooted in justice when comfort is more accessible. These are the stories of the prophets, abolitionists, pastors, and dreamers—and they continue to unfold among us today.
This year’s theme is inspired by The Awakening to Justice Project, a groundbreaking initiative that brings 19th-century revivalism and abolitionist witness into urgent conversation with today’s movements for racial justice. Through the recovered writings of David Ingraham and his Black colleagues James Bradley and Nancy Prince, this project highlights a lesser-known history of interracial cooperation, spiritual resistance, and radical Christian witness. It reminds us that while the Church has too often compromised with racism, there has always been a faithful remnant pushing against the grain.
One of the project’s contributors was Rev. Dr. David D. Daniels III — beloved McCormick professor, visionary scholar, and trusted church leader — whose prophetic voice challenged the Church to rethink its past and reimagine its future. His commitment to decolonizing church history, recovering overlooked traditions, and advancing global theological education left an indelible mark on the academy and the Church. As we honor his memory, we celebrate the stories he helped unfold—and recommit ourselves to the justice-centered faith he lived so fully. His legacy is deeply woven into this year's gathering.
INTRODUCING OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Eric Lewis Williams ’04
Curator, Scholar, Preacher, Cultural Theologian
To guide us deeper into this theme, we are honored to welcome Dr. Eric Lewis Williams, Class of 2004, as our keynote speaker. A scholar of Black religious thought and former curator of religion at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Dr. Williams currently serves as Director of the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School.
His voice is steeped in tradition and attuned to the present moment—interrogating culture, illuminating memory, and calling the church into courageous imagination. Dr. Williams embodies a faith that unfolds beyond expectation and moves boldly against the grain.
WHAT AWAITS YOU
Across two rich and reflective days, McCormick Days 2025 offers opportunities for reconnection, renewal, and reimagining what faithful leadership looks like in today’s world:
Keynote Session with Dr. Eric Williams
State of McCormick address with Dr. Maisha Handy
Worship and theological reflection
Panels and Conversations with alumni and faculty
“Awakening to Justice” Film Screening & Dialogue
Class Reunions for 1975 and 2000
Celebration of Alumni Excellence
ALUMNI HONORS
As part of McCormick Days 2025, we are proud to honor alumni whose lives reflect bold, faithful leadership. The Distinguished Alumnae Award celebrates a graduate whose ministry has made a lasting and transformative impact across diverse contexts, traditions, and forms of service in the name of Jesus Christ. We will also present the Rising Star Award, recognizing a graduate from the past ten years who is already making meaningful, justice-centered contributions to the Church and society. Together, these honorees embody the spirit of McCormick—living out the Gospel with conviction, compassion, and courage.y.
🔗 Nominations for 2025 are now open!
REGISTRATION & DETAILS
Registration is required to participate in events.
General Participation — $100
Class of 1975 and 2000 — FREE
Current McCormick, Catholic Theological Union, and LSTC Students — FREE (must present ID at registration)
All Other Seminary Students - $25 (must present ID at registration)
Credit card payments are securely processed through the registration form. Click here for hotel information.
Let your own story continue to unfold—with courage, with community, and with Christ.