Graduate Profile: Hannah Desouza, MDiv '25 

How I've Changed  

I came to HDS with the hope of stretching and deepening my faith and entering into dialogue and friendship with those in other faith traditions and walks of life than me. As I type this in Lamont (when I should be writing my finals), I can confidently say that I have been enriched and changed by the community I have encountered and made here, beyond even what I had hoped for when I first showed up in my mask, directly from Logan Airport, and sat down on the steps of the Sperry Room (now Cader) because all the seats were filled in my first Theories and Methods class. I am leaving HDS thankful for the foundation of faith the International Churches of Christ I was raised in laid for me as well as purposeful and excited for how I can and will continue to build upon it. 

Memorable Moment 

Memorable moments include sitting cross-legged on the shore across from Great Salt Lake in Utah, preaching on Hagar and El Roi (the God who sees) at the Billings Preaching Competition and looking out at a sea of warm faces, getting banned from the library (sorry mum and dad), and making soulful music with the Hearty Bois, Jam Collective, and whoever else was in the Williams Chapel when I would wander in on a Friday afternoon. 

Favorite Class or Professor 

Many teachers and mentors have breathed life and belief into me since I have been here: Matt Potts, David and Louanne Hempton, Kelly Brown Douglas, Stephanie Paulsell, Dean Teddy, Andrew Teeter, Terry Tempest Williams, Jon Levenson, Patricia Simpson, Tammy McLeod, Michelle Bentsman, Ethan Goodnight, Matt Kinnemore, Richard Hughes, and Davíd Carrasco. Whether in class or warm conversation, I can recall a lesson learned from each of you and for that I thank you. 

Message of Thanks  

I wish to thank my family back in the UK for the daily FaceTimes that kept me grounded (my nephew and niece Leon and Mollie especially), Margaret Okada-Scheck for interviewing me while I was in a dingy basement in Moldova and making me feel like I could belong at Harvard, Eddie Moreira for the daily greetings we looked forward to when entering Swartz Hall, the Chord Leadership Center for believing in me enough to support my HDS journey financially and spiritually, and the classmates and friends whose lives have providentially intersected with my own and whose love and laughter have sustained me these three years. I am grateful for all the moons we have shared. 

What I Hope to Be Remembered By 

I hope to be remembered as the friendly British girl, a truth-seeker, and Jesus follower. This feels very obituary-esque so I should also say I hope to stay alive so you should all stay in touch! 

Future Plans 

I hope to embark on the Camino this summer and (should I make it back in one piece) take up a position as a visiting scholar at Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio. I will continue as a cohost for the Thread Podcast (going through the Bible with the lens of story and spirituality, check us out) and hope to also continue writing poetry and championing curiosity (as the banner in Widener Library tells us).