Graduate Profile: Nathan Keith Samayo, MDiv '23

How I've Changed  

In terms of change—I feel like I realized what really matters to me: a grounded spirit to both God and the Earth, family, friends, and a love that isn’t contingent on return, but is given because I can give it. Also, what doesn’t matter to me: respectability, professionalism, liberalism, etc. 

Memorable Moment 

I have several memorable moments at HDS/Harvard. First, all the BBSnax (Black & brown students club) end-of-the-semester events when everyone was done with class work, and we could hang out, roast each other, sip a bit, and check in to see how everyone is doing. Second, the Julian Aguon book talk at Harvard Book Store because all the CHamorus at Harvard/Boston were there, and none of us knew we were all attending. Third, all the amazing trips throughout the Northeast with friends. 

Favorite Class or Professor 

My favorite professor is Dr. Rivera because she is very encouraging, is a great dialogue partner for papers and projects, is very attentive to the ways different disciplines intersect, and stays up to date with emerging scholarship. My favorite class was her "Decolonial Theory" class because the content was great and a lot of my friends were in it. 

Message of Thanks  

I want to thank my family and friends in Tacoma/Seattle (love y’all!), wonderful SPU and Seattle mentors, my amazing 2019 (and 2018) HDS DivEx family (shout-out to Margaret), the AAPI Studies Working Group at Harvard Ethnicity, Migration, and Rights Committee, and all my professors, staff, and friends at HDS. 

What I Hope to Be Remembered By 

I hope to be remembered by having an unrestricted imagination—and loving, not because I think things are going to get better, but just because I can. 

Future Plans 

I’m getting a PhD in Religion at Princeton Theological Seminary, and afterwards, I want to teach humanities at a local college in Washington state, high school English, and be a pastor who does funerals for free.