#  Graduate Profile: Hiram Eric Jackson III, MDiv '23 

 





May 15, 2023

 

 

     ![Hiram Jackson III smiles at the camera.](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hds2/files/6x4_hiramjacksoniii.png?itok=w9833yh9) 

Hiram Jackson III. Photo courtesy of Hiram Jackson III.

 



 

 **How I've Changed**

 When I first enrolled at HDS, I lacked spiritual conviction in any religion. Although I was raised Christian and had an endless fascination with religion, I often longed to experience what it meant to believe in something greater than myself. However, the HDS course curriculum and its diverse student population gave me the space to not only explore different religions but struggle with spiritual and theological questions. And through this struggle, I fell in love with Islam and converted to the faith with zero doubts. I can proudly say that I am finally a part of a faith I believe in.

 **Message of Thanks**

 Regarding my professors, I want to thank Dr. Kimberley Patton for believing in me during a time when I struggled to recognize myself, Dr. Mohsen Goudarzi and Javad Hashmi for exposing me to the Qur'an and revitalizing my love for religion, and Dr. Khaled El-Rouayheb for giving me the space to finally understand and embrace my academic passions. Thank you to Dr. Rahina Muazu for the constant encouragement and support through learning Qur'anic recitation. Thank you to Gihan Suliman for sticking with me amidst the humbling experience of learning Arabic for the first time. Thank you to Kythe Heller for being a supportive and helpful TF during senior seminar. Thank you to Dr. Celene Ibrahim for being an amazing thesis advisor and mentor. Professors and mentors aside, I thank my friends, family, and the HDS community overall for giving me a chance to be my best self. Lastly (but certainly not least!), I thank God for willing me to believe in Him and His Prophet.

 **Future Plans**

 I will attend Middlebury College's Arabic language school in Bennington, Vermont, this summer. This program promises an immersive experience that requires me to only communicate in Arabic for two months. During the fall, I will attend Sijal Institute for Arabic Language and Culture in Amman, Jordan, for the entire academic year. Sijal focuses on a curriculum combining Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial dialect, which is critical for language acquisition. Overall, this language preparation will prepare me to begin doctoral work in Islamic studies. I am excited about these opportunities and looking forward to the journey ahead!



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ Commencement ](/topic-tags/commencement)
- [ Commencement 2023 ](/topic-tags/commencement-2023)