News

On Oct. 7, The School of Theology announced the recipients of the Woods Leadership Award—Ashley Simpson, T'22, and the Freeman Award for Merit—Christopher Schwenk, T'22.

Today, Sept. 8, 2020, the University of the South released a statement “categorically rejecting its past veneration of the Confederacy and of the ‘Lost Cause’ and wholeheartedly committing itself to an urgent process of institutional reckoning in order to make Sewanee a model of diversity, of inclusion, of intellectual rigor, and of loving spirit in an America that rejects prejudice and embraces possibility.”

Neither the threat of rain or a global pandemic could keep the School of Theology from celebrating the Eucharist on Wednesday, Aug. 26. As the bell rang, seminarians converged on the rugby field adjacent to the School’s campus. What they found was completely different from the traditional service held in the Chapel of the Apostles, but despite the radical change in venue, the Spirit was present.

After 10 years of service as the university’s 16th vice-chancellor, John M. McCardell Jr. will assume his new role on June 17 as vice-chancellor emeritus and a member of the college faculty as professor of history. On the same day, Reuben E. Brigety II will begin his work as Sewanee’s 17th vice-chancellor.

In the wake of national protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody, Vice-Chancellor John McCardell, Dean of Students Marichal Gentry, the Deans of the School of Theology, and the Office of the Dean of the College sent messages to students, faculty, and staff. Student organizations made powerful statements of support for racial justice.

On May 7, Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced the appointment of the Rev. Canon James F. Turrell, Ph.D., as dean of the School of Theology at the University of the South. He will assume his new duties on July 1, 2020.

Nearly 44 years after General Convention approved the ordination of women to the priesthood and episcopate, there is much to celebrate and much work remaining. In her lecture, House of Deputies President Gay Clark Jennings, a priest since 1979, will reflect on how the Church has changed as women have gained authority and what that progress can mean for women without institutional privilege.

The School of Theology welcomes two fellows-in-residence Feb. 10–21. The Rev. Dr. Deonna D. Neal serves as the chair of the Department of Leadership, Ethics, and the Profession of Arms at Air University at Maxwell Air Force base, Alabama. Cecile S. Holmes is an associate professor in the University of South Carolina's School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Both will be working on their respective projects while in Sewanee.

The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander announced on Friday, Nov. 15, that he will step down from his position as dean of the School of Theology effective August 1, 2020. Alexander, currently in his eighth year as dean, had this to say upon announcing his decision. “Being part of the University of the South has been one of the deep joys of my vocation, and I will always be grateful for the privilege of finding my place in Sewanee’s history.”

Each year, DuBose Awards are bestowed on worthy people who have been serving the Church and their communities in a number of ways. This year, there were two remarkable women given DuBose awards in recognition of selfless body of work over a lifetime.

The University of the South’s Winter Convocation will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in All Saints' Chapel. Honorary degrees will be presented to the Rt. Rev. Phoebe Roaf, the Rev. Daniel Heischman, and the Rev. Francic Walter III, T'57.