Chaplain Barry C. Black Selected as 2020 Commencement Speaker

Update May 1, 2020. The 72nd Commencement exercises at The King’s College will be held virtually on Saturday, May 9 at 12:00 PM EDT. Register here.

The King’s College is pleased to announce that Rear Admiral Barry C. Black (Ret.), the 62nd Chaplain of the United States Senate, will address the 2020 graduating class of The King’s College at its 72nd annual Commencement exercises on May 9 in New York City.

Chaplain Black is a native of Baltimore, Md. and an alumnus of Oakwood College, Andrews University, North Carolina Central University, Eastern Baptist Seminary, Salve Regina University, and United States International University. In addition to earning master’s degrees in divinity, counseling, and management, he has received doctorates in ministry and psychology.

As Rear Admiral, Chaplain Black’s personal decorations include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two medals), Meritorious Service Medals (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals (two awards), among many other awards.

Other achievements of particular note include being chosen from 127 nominees for the 1995 NAACP Renowned Service Award for his contributions to equal opportunity and civil rights, receiving the 2002 Benjamin Elijah Mays Distinguished Leadership Award from The Morehouse School of Religion, and receiving the Image Award for military excellence from the Old Dominion University chapter of the NAACP.

President Tim Gibson said, “As a fellow retired flag officer, I have a deep appreciation for Chaplain Black’s public service, both in the United States Navy and in the U.S. Senate. He is exceptionally qualified to speak to our graduates as they begin careers of Christian witness in the major institutions of our culture. His abiding conviction, humble spirit, and moral courage are inspiring examples for our community.”

The 72nd annual Commencement exercises for The King’s College Class of 2020 will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 AM at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Historically, Commencement speakers are chosen from among the major institutions of culture—including business and finance, government, media and journalism, education, civil society, the arts, and the church—who have unique insight into the world-renewing mission of The King’s College. King’s offers free live-streams for both the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday and Friday’s Award Ceremony. Links are posted online one week in advance.