Graduate Profile: Crow Stacy, MDiv '24

Favorite Class or Professor 

There are two professors that have made an immense impact on me.  

Dr. Catherine Brekus, my thesis advisor, who I also took three classes under. Being under her tutelage and mentorship has been an incredible honor and privilege. I deeply admire her as an ""old school"" academic who was strict and held me to a high standard, but was also encouraging, compassionate, and facilitated scholarly growth in me that I never imagined would have been possible. Dr. Brekus is both an incredible scholar and a wonderful human being who is an indispensable good to not only Harvard, but her community and country. The working and professional relationship I had with her was superb, and she truly is in a league of her own as a historian.  

Dr. Gina Zurlo, who I believe is one of the greatest rising stars in academia, had a class about women in world Christianity that changed me not only professionally, but personally. She facilitated a class where so many intellectually invigorating discussions were had, and one where everyone became close and very friendly with one another. I loved stopping by her office during office hours just to have conversations, as well as cooking meals and baked goods for her and my classmates in that class. Because of Dr. Zurlo and that class, I walked away not only learning about a myriad of women's issues as they relate to Christianity across the globe, but I even changed a few of my own views as well. I will forever be grateful for having her as a professor. These are two incredible women I owe so much to, and praise be to God for having had the privilege and opportunity to work with and learn from both of them. 

Message of Thanks  

Firstly, I would like to thank Virgen de Guadalupe, for being the greatest Mother I could ever have asked for, who has help me close, loved me, and remembered every tear I've cried. As she said to Juan Diego, ""No tengas miedo. ¿No estoy yo aquí, que soy tu Madre?"" 

I want to express gratitude for my friends and classmates who have been patient with me, and everyone who's given me the privilege of baking or cooking for them. Cooking for someone is how I show love, and I sincerely am overjoyed to have been able to feed and treat so many people to meals and baked goods made with so much love.  

Community is a vital aspect of the human experience, and my friends here have been so loving, gentle, compassionate, and patient. The HDS community has helped me grow and made me a better person, strengthened my faith, and were patient with me as I improved on my shortcomings and had bad days, showing me the beauty of grace. 

What I Hope to Be Remembered By 

I hope to be remembered as a whole person, both the good and bad aspects of myself. I see myself as a flawed and troubled person who always tries to live the values of boundless compassion and unconditional forgiveness, which are the guiding virtues of my day-to-day life. I want to be remembered as someone who made people feel as if they mattered, because they do. I regularly prayed for and cooked for my classmates, and often gave a listening ear if they needed, no matter who they were or how close I was to them, because love and compassion should always be unconditional. 

I also want to be remembered for my vociferous opposition to capital punishment, and I pray without ceasing that there will come a day where this country, the United States, no longer executes people.