Christian Theological Seminary names 2026 commencement and baccalaureate speakers

By AI, Created 10:51 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Christian Theological Seminary has named its 2026 commencement and baccalaureate speakers and will honor Indianapolis community leader Ellen Annala. The events on May 15 and 16 will spotlight advocacy, theological leadership, and long service to the seminary and the city.

Why it matters: - Christian Theological Seminary is using its 2026 graduation season to highlight leaders tied to justice, community care and faith-based service. - The seminary will also recognize Ellen Annala for decades of work in Indianapolis nonprofit and civic life.

What happened: - Christian Theological Seminary announced Emma Vosicky, CEO of Gender Nexus, as the 2026 commencement speaker. - The seminary named Rev. Dr. Daisy L. Machado as the baccalaureate homily speaker. - The seminary will honor Ellen Annala with the 2026 Presidential Award of Excellence. - The commencement ceremony is set for Saturday, May 16 in Shelton Auditorium and is ticketed for graduates and invited guests. - The baccalaureate service is scheduled for Friday, May 15 at 3:00 p.m. in Sweeney Chapel. - The baccalaureate service is open to the public and will be live-streamed.

The details: - Vosicky is a JD and MAT holder and leads Gender Nexus, an Indianapolis nonprofit serving gender-diverse individuals and their families. - Gender Nexus works to help people live healthy, authentic and joyful lives by addressing barriers in healthcare, education and legal systems. - Vosicky is a nationally recognized advocate and public speaker focused on LGBTQ+ communities. - Christian Theological Seminary will award Vosicky an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters. - Machado is executive director of the Hispanic Summer Program and professor emerita of American Religious History at Union Theological Seminary. - Machado was the first U.S. Latina ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). - Machado’s scholarship has centered lived experience, or lo cotidiano, as a source of theological reflection. - The seminary will award Machado an Honorary Doctor of Divinity. - Annala spent more than four decades in the nonprofit and public sectors. - Annala served 15 years as president and CEO of the United Way of Central Indiana. - Before United Way, Annala led Big Sisters and held roles in neighborhood development and civil rights work. - Annala came to Indianapolis in 1971 to work in youth ministry for the Division of Homeland Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). - Annala now consults with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations across central Indiana on evaluation, board governance and strategic planning. - Annala has served on the TechPoint Foundation, Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee, Pleasant Run Children’s Home, United Northeast Community Development Corporation and the Economic Club of Indiana. - Annala co-chaired the City of Indianapolis Bicentennial Plan in 2020 for GIPC. - Annala remains on the Meadows Community Foundation board, serves as a trustee of her church and sits on the CTS Advancement Committee. - Annala is a former chair of the CTS Board of Trustees and now holds trustee emeritus status. - Annala earned a bachelor’s degree from Phillips University in Oklahoma and a Master of Public Affairs from Indiana University. - Annala received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University of Indianapolis in 2013.

Between the lines: - CTS is pairing graduation celebrations with speakers whose work reflects the seminary’s focus on dignity, justice and community transformation. - The honorees also connect CTS to Indianapolis civic leadership and broader theological and social-justice networks. - David Mellott said the seminary aims to invite speakers who inspire the community to participate in God’s transforming work in the world. - Francisco Lozada Jr. said Machado’s work shows theology as lived, embodied and shaped by community.

What’s next: - Graduates and invited guests will gather for commencement on May 16. - The public can attend the baccalaureate service on May 15 in person or via livestream. - CTS will formally recognize Vosicky, Machado and Annala during the spring celebrations.

The bottom line: - CTS is turning its 2026 graduation events into a public statement about advocacy, theological leadership and sustained civic service.