Convocation 2025 Honourees

Honourary Degrees to be Awarded to Dr. Judy Haiven and Dr. Larry Haiven

During Convocation ceremonies on May 10, 2025, Atlantic School of Theology (AST) will award a Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, to Dr. Judy Haiven and to Dr. Larry Haiven. Both are being recognized for their work through Independent Jewish Voices, a grassroots organization they helped to found and one that opposes all forms of racism and advocates for justice and peace for all in Israel-Palestine. As Jews, they have been active in the education of non-Jews including Christians on Palestine-Israel issues for several decades. They have given presentations to members of churches in Halifax as well as public presentations. They were also advisors in the preparation of the Palestinian Land Exercise, an educational instrument which began under the auspices of Kairos Halifax. They have distinguished themselves in their ecumenical work and are recognized nationally and internationally as well as locally for their lifelong commitment to human rights. The Haivens are the proud parents of two sons, Max and Omri, who in their father’s words, are both social justice warriors.

Dr. Judy Haiven At the age of 49, Dr. Judy Haiven completed her PhD in Industrial and Business Studies at Warwick University in the UK and commenced her academic career at Saint Mary’s University (SMU). Now retired, she taught for 16 years in the Management Department in the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University (SMU) where she specialized in industrial relations and human resource management. Pre-academe, Dr Haiven was a factory worker, a union campaigner, a writer, and an award-winning documentary filmmaker.

Dr. Larry Haiven Dr. Larry Haiven (BSc, Toronto; MBA, Alberta; PhD, Warwick University, UK) is professor emeritus in the Department of Management, Saint Mary’s University. A former union organizer, his 30-year academic career includes research, publishing, teaching and consulting in labour relations, human resource management, and co-operatives while employed at University of Saskatchewan and Saint Mary’s University. At SMU, he was the academic coordinator of the Centre for Co-operative Management and the Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions. He co-developed and leads workshops on “Fighting Antisemitism Through an Anti-Oppressive Lens.” He also writes and publishes regularly on issues of Jewishness, Israel/Palestine, antisemitism and labour relations.

Patrick Cassidy to be Named Associate of Atlantic School of Theology

AST will recognize Patrick Cassidy as an Associate of Atlantic School of Theology in recognition of his long-time commitment and outstanding service on behalf of AST.

Patrick Cassidy, KC Pat Cassidy is a Partner in the Halifax office of the Atlantic Canadian law firm Cox & Palmer, where he specializes in Condominium Law. He is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (Cum Laude), a graduate of Dalhousie Law School with a Bachelor of Laws, and most importantly, a Class-of-2000 graduate of AST with a Master of Theological Studies. His Master’s Thesis analyzed the concept of Truth in the writings of German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer and then compared Bonhoeffer’s Truth to the Legal Profession’s Truth, concluding Bonhoeffer’s Truth was the higher standard. His five years as a part-time student at AST have remained one of the happiest, most rewarding, and intellectually stimulating periods of his life. As a graduate, Mr. Cassidy has proven to be a good friend of AST, often acting as an ambassador of the university. He served on the Research Ethics Board for many years and has quietly and effectively supported, critiqued and encouraged countless students. This was a somewhat thankless task, but vital to the academic research that takes place at AST. Pat and his wife, Sarah, have always lived in Halifax and are thankful their two daughters and their two grandsons have been able to remain close by.

Professor Emerita Status to be Conferred to the Rev. Dr. Susan Willhauck

 AST will confer the status of Professor Emerita on the Rev. Dr. Susan Willhauck at the May 2025 Convocation. Although Dr. Willhauck has been retired for several years, she continues to research, write and contribute to academia and to church life. She has had an extensive career of pastoring, teaching, researching, writing, and leading. Her contributions to our understanding of the experience of women pastors in church life, particularly the existence of “the stained-glass ceiling,” has been immeasurable.

The Reverend Dr. Susan Willhauck Dr. Susan Willhauck holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Religious Education from The Catholic University of America. She served as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Atlantic School of Theology from 2009-2021 and was granted tenure in 2010. She taught many pastoral courses, including Worship Foundations, the Graduate Project Seminar and Teaching the Bible in the Church. Previously, she was Assistant, then Associate Professor of Christian Formation and Discipleship at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC for eleven years, where she was also the Director of Lay Education. She has taught in theological schools in Nigeria, Korea and Mexico. The Reverand Dr. Willhauck is ordained clergy in The United Methodist Church and prior to seminary teaching, served in several ministry positions, including Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC as Associate Pastor. She was also appointed to the Children’s Defense Fund, where she directed the National Observance of Children’s Sabbaths and helped organize the first Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy Ministry.

AST Convocation takes place on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. in St. Andrew’s United Church in Halifax. The service will also be livestreamed (details will be posted here: https://www.astheology.ns.ca/home/events-calendar/convocation-2025.html).