2025 Academic Convocation

Garrett Seminary will celebrate the beginning of the 2025-2026 academic year with its Convocation service on Wednesday, September 10. We are deeply honored that Dr. Peter Mageto (G-ETS 2001 & 2004), Vice Chancellor of Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe and a proud alumnus of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, will serve as guest speaker at this year’s Convocation. This is a moment of great pride, as Dr. Mageto returns to his alma mater to reflect on the values that continue to shape his leadership and vision.

His presence comes as we celebrate the ongoing Mageto Fellows Program—which offers full scholarships for African students to study in Evanston—and as we explore new avenues for collaboration between our institutions. True to Africa University’s purpose of Investing in Africa’s Future and its commitment to training leaders for transformative leadership, this partnership embodies the power of education to shape change-makers for the continent and the world.

As Garrett welcomes its incoming class, this gathering becomes a testimony of how Africa University and Garrett are working together for a connectional and global United Methodist Church—naming and celebrating how God is alive in our fellowship, how faith is deepened when we uproot the harm colonialism left in its wake, and how we labor together for mutual flourishing. All are invited to join us in marking this important start to the year, as we prepare to train leaders for the thriving of the church and the healing of the world.

Please join in person at 4 p.m. (CDT) on September 10th in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful, or via livestream!

Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto (G-ETS 2001 & 2004)

Rev. Dr. Peter Mageto is the fifth Vice Chancellor of Africa University. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in divinity from St Paul’s United Theological College in Kenya, and a Master in Theological Studies and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Garrett Seminary. Professor Mageto has a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years which he has obtained from working in church ministry and for various universities. He believes and cultivates collaborations, networks, and partnerships as pillars for societal transformation. Professor Mageto is an expert in ethics, and believes in the call and in pursuit of justice and equity. He spends time to advise, counsel and engage in community service as a way to serve humanity. Professor Mageto has published widely in a number of thematic areas including Ethics, Theology, HIV-AIDS, Education, Peace, and Reconciliation.