The first in-person ETS Awards Ceremony for three years took place on Friday 13 May, with staff, students, family members and friends all gathering in St Columbas Free Church to mark the end of the 2021-22 academic year.
After Principal Iver Martin welcomed everyone, expressing his own thankfulness at being back together, awards were presented to graduating students from the many programmes offered at ETS. Some were absent but a large number were present to be congratulated for their achievements. Finally, prizes were awarded to students who excelled in their achievements.
Iver Martin then paid tribute to Prof John Angus Macleod on his imminent retirement as Professor of Greek and New Testament. In presenting him with a gift on behalf of colleagues in the Free Church of Scotland, he spoke of his many gifts, which extended beyond the academic, and ranged from the technical to the administrative, all of which had been applied with huge personal commitment to the life and ministry of ETS. He made mention specifically of his time as Vice Principal, without which ETS could not have functioned.
After further tribute was paid by the Chairman of the Seminary Board, Dr Malcolm Maclean, Prof Macleod then responded briefly in appreciation of the sense of fellowship that there was at ETS, the friendship of his colleagues and the support that his wife, Liz, had been to him over the 23 years of his tenure.
The duration of the applause was a striking testimony to the affection and esteem in which John Angus is held by students and colleagues. He will be greatly missed from ETS.
The evening continued in the traditional manner with a reflection by two senior students of their time at ETS followed by a short exhortation from the Principal on the theme of the courage of the disciples in Acts 4.
The closing ceremony was a huge encouragement and an appropriate end to a difficult post-Covid year.
