Rev. Angeline Washington-Clark knew she wanted to go to seminary. "I was seeking more clarity about who God is, and what he wanted me to be.” She was working in Washington D.C for the Obama administration at the time, and needed a unique place to explore what ministry could look like. Her first exposure to Palmer was through attending an open house with a friend. "The trip was for her, not for me." But Angeline returned for another open house, this time specifically for the seminary’s program in International Development, which ultimately led to her auditing a class on Theology and Poverty.

Palmer was the only seminary Angeline applied to. She commuted between Palmer and D.C., finishing the program as a part-time student in 4 years and 11 months, taking classes nonstop. Palmer consistently proved to be the place to where God had called her. "Palmer was what I needed. I was afraid of this process for so many reasons, but historically, the seminarians I had known didn’t look like me. It felt like my calling was buried beneath the system."

During her seminary journey, Angeline became increasingly aware that her call was to be out in the world with others who do not necessarily consider themselves Christian. In this season, this looks like serving as a Chaplain at Paoli Hospital, or having conversations with strangers while traveling. She has also worked since 2011 with an organization, Girls Going Global (GGG), hosting girls between the ages of 13 and 17 on transformative international travel experiences. Angeline was ordained by American Baptist Churches USA in 2020, and still sees the call evolving.  "The Ministry is still revealing itself to me. Sometimes it looks like being in meetings and asking to pause to refocus and pray."  For Angeline, it’s about being open to whatever and wherever God has for her, even when it interrupts her schedule or location in the world.

Angeline believes Palmer Theological Seminary’s mission, the Whole Gospel for the Whole World through Whole Persons, is reflected in the diversity of the classroom and community. She recounts having a classmate who was Muslim, who had come to seminary to learn more about Christianity and grow in her own Islamic faith. “We even did a Bible Study together.” The mission of the institution fosters a space of connection and transformation.

With Palmer’s centennial upon us, Angeline sees Palmer persisting for another 100 years. She says it will look drastically different, but believes the community and the lessons learned there will maintain some similar threads. Palmer, for instance, will always welcome a diverse array of students from any demographic. And will can continue to lay that foundation now. "For those no longer in seminary, we must commit to making ourselves available to the cause with our talents and resources. We need to give back in any way possible. This is how we create opportunities for those who come after us.”