The School of Theology is pleased to announce that senior seminarians Michael Sturdy, T’25, and Nolan McBride, T’25, have won first and second place respectively in The Living Church Foundation’s 15th annual Student Essays in Christian Wisdom competition.
The School of Theology at the University of the South reopened and dedicated the newly renovated Hamilton Hall last week following a 20-month renovation project. Residential formation for ministry in a community grounded in study and prayer is critical to the future of the church, and with its renewed building, the School of Theology will be strengthened in its work for decades to come.
The School of Theology of the University of the South is the grateful recipient of a Saint John’s Bible, Heritage Edition, which is the only full-sized illuminated fine art edition of the original manuscript. To celebrate this truly exceptional gift, the School of Theology Community will read the entire Bible over the course of 72 hours beginning Saturday Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. CDT and concluding Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. The reading will be livestreamed continuously and viewers can join at anytime.
On Monday, August 26 in the Chapel of the Apostles, the School of Theology matriculated seminarians from all over the United States and the world. During the Holy Eucharist and Matriculation service students were admitted to the classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 by Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Pearigen and Provost Dr. Scott Wilson. Students signed the Matriculation Book before being gowned.
On Friday, May 10 the University of the South in its 167th year will hold a Convocation for the Conferring of Degrees from the School of Theology. The convocation will be held at 10:00 a.m. in All Saints’ Chapel. The seminary will graduate 27 students receiving varying diplomas and degrees from Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Pearigen.
The Rev. Dr. Reed Carlson will join the School of Theology at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year as assistant professor of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible. A biblical scholar and Episcopal priest, Dr. Carlson comes to Sewanee from United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) in Philadelphia, where he was assistant professor of biblical studies and the director of Anglican studies. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Carlson and his family to Sewanee.
Born of necessity during the pandemic and later discontinued, the Morning Prayer livestream is back by popular demand. Thank you to School of Theology alumni for making your voices heard. Join us live weekdays beginning at 8:05 a.m. Find the livestream on the School of Theology Facebook page.
The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, C’69, visited with seminarians at the School of Theology on Friday Oct. 6 before being awarded an honorary doctorate degree at Fall Convocation of the University of the South. Bishop Robinson also delivered a moving and inspirational address to hundreds of students, parents, faculty, staff, and community members who were assembled on campus and online. “On many a night, I would walk through the dense Sewanee fog, out of which this chapel would magically appear, and I would get on my knees at that altar rail,” Robinson said, recalling his time as a Sewanee undergrad. “God knew I had a secret, and God and I would fight about whether or not someone like me was worthy of seminary and ordination. My answer was no, and God's answer was yes, and God won.”
On the evening of Monday, August 28, the School of Theology matriculated seminarians from all over the Unites States and the world. i. During the Holy Eucharist and Matriculation service students were admitted to the classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026 as they signed the Matriculation Book and were gowned. Additionally, new faculty and administrators, the Rev. Kevin M. Goodman and Dr. Hannah Matis were also formally welcome to the School of Theology. And what a warm welcome it was for all new members of our community.
On Friday, May 12 the University of the South, in its 166th year, held a Convocation for the Conferring of Degrees from the School of Theology. The seminary graduated 34 students receiving varying degrees from acting vice-chancellor Dr. Nancy Berner. Many of the University’s leadership were in attendance including University chancellor the Rt. Rev. Dr. Jake Owensby, T’97, University provost Scott Wilson and the School’s Dean, the Very Rev. Dr. James F. Turrell. The ceremony took place in All Saints’ Chapel and was recorded for those unable to attend.
The University of the South is pleased to announce that the Rev. Kevin M. Goodman will join the School of Theology as Executive Director of the Education for Ministry (EfM) program. Goodman replaces retiring Executive Director Karen Meridith who has led the program since 2010. Having served as an EfM mentor and trainer for more than thirty years, Kevin brings a deep understanding of EfM to his new role, as well as years of leadership experience in the church.
The School of Theology Service Award recognizes Episcopal clergy or laypersons who have exhibited distinguished service to The Episcopal Church. We have, in particular, sought to highlight clergy or laypersons who have made a significant difference in transforming unjust structures and promoting peace and reconciliation in their communities, as well as honoring those who have deployed parish resources to sustain and renew the life of the earth. This year’s recipient has made extraordinary contributions in both of these categories.
Please join us in congratulating seminarian award winners, Alane Osborne and Charles Martin. Alane Osborne was presented with the Woods Leadership Award for her contributions to the quality of student life at the School of Theology. Charles Martin was awarded the Freeman Award for academic excellence. Awards were presented Sept. 28, 2022 at the Alumni Lectures & Homecoming banquet.
At its summer meeting, the University of the South Board of Regents formally approved promotion and tenure decisions for eleven faculty members, including the School of Theology’s Dr. Kenneth Miller, Associate Professor of Church Music and Organist and Choirmaster of the Chapel of the Apostles. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Miller.
Join us in congratulating the Dr. Andrew Thompson, assistant professor of theological ethics for his appointment as Director of the Center for Religion and Environment. The Center fosters conversation around the increasingly rich intersections of religious belief and environmental awareness and care.
Dr. Anathea Portier-Young returned to the Doctor of Ministry program for the 2022 summer session. On June 15 Portier-Young held a dynamic public lecture in which she examined the prophetic qualities of Miriam’s dance in Exodus 15:20-21. Watch the recording at the link below.
The University of the South is pleased to announce that church historian Hannah Matis, Ph.D., will join the School of Theology as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Church History. Dr. Matis will begin her duties at the start of the 2023-2024 academic year. Dr. Matis’s academic focus is in early medieval biblical interpretation and the church in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. She brings extensive administrative experience to her leadership role as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, in which she will also direct the Advanced Degree Program.
