Graduate Profile: Ailih Weeldreyer, MTS '24

Memorable Moment 

My favorite memories at HDS are centered around community - the wonderful friends I have made while here, and with others in the HDS community sharing spiritual traditions and reflecting on life and vocational paths. I chose to come to HDS to learn amidst students of a multitude of faith backgrounds. Some of the most meaningful moments that I will return to time and again as I move forward on my vocational path are moments of interfaith worship with my peers. I will remember the interfaith worship service in solidarity with Palestine in the Liberated Zone as a special and memorable culmination of my experience at HDS, reinforcing for me the importance of faith in action for justice. 

Message of Thanks  

My first thank you is always to my parents, who have supported me in every way through my education and vocational discernment. To my friends, for making me laugh and holding one another through difficult times. I am inspired by the different ways that my friends and peers are finding themselves and their voices in the trying times in which we have emerged into adulthood. I would also like to thank my professors and advisors at HDS for challenging me and teaching me how to be a well-informed and confident scholar and practitioner.  

Future Plans 

In September I will move to New York City to begin a job with the Quaker United Nations Office. I hope that this will be the first step in a career of fostering peace and justice for people all around the world, grounded in a belief that all people deserve to live abundantly.