VDS Welcomes New Assistant Dean
Jul. 26, 2019—We are delighted to share that The Reverend Laura Mariko Cheifetz (pronouns: she/her) is joining the Vanderbilt Divinity Staff as Assistant Dean for Admissions, Vocation, and Stewardship. Laura’s first day will be August 15, 2019. Laura is currently the Campaign Manager for “Flint: The Poisoning of an American City,” a feature-length documentary, and adjunct staff...
2019 Distinguished Alumni Awardees
Feb. 1, 2019—2018-19 Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion Distinguished Alumni Award recipients Divinity School Recipient: Dr. James A. Sanders Claremont, CA Vanderbilt Divinity School, Nashville, TN B.D.’51 Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN . B.A. ‘48 James A. Sanders was professor of intertestamental and biblical studies at the Claremont School of Theology (CST) from 1977 to...
On Becoming Human
Dec. 21, 2018—By: Katherine H. Smith Jeremiah 33:14-16 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice...
vote your conscience
Nov. 5, 2018—monthly message from emilie m. townes, vanderbilt divinity school dean One of the most exciting things I did as a youth was to vote in my first election. I asked my folks and other adults over and over again what they actually did behind that curtain. The idea that I would soon be behind that...
Convocation Address from SGA President
Sep. 7, 2018—What is community? I am standing here as the representative of our communal body to invite you all into our shared adventure, and as I attempted to write this speech I kept asking myself multiple questions. What did I need to hear as a first year? How do I imagine and reimagine this community? And...
There is no peace
May. 16, 2018—A statement from Emilie M. Townes, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School, regarding the recent events in Gaza. I was shocked into speechlessness and a growing sense of horror, sorrow, and mourning when I opened up my Facebook feed on Monday morning. As the death toll and injury count of Palestinian protestors rose throughout the day,...
Charge to the Graduates of 2018
May. 14, 2018—Delivered by Emilie M. Townes, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School on May 11, 2018 to the 2018 graduating class. i have no new words for you that you do not already know that you have not already heard that you not already seen or tried to live, if only occasionally sometimes so instead, i will remind...
Read This Book: April 2018
Apr. 20, 2018—Each month, we ask a member of the Vanderbilt Divinity School faculty or administration to recommend a book they are currently reading. Our March recommendation is offered by Graham Reside, Executive Director of the Cal Turner Program in Moral Leadership for the Professions, and Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Graham recommendsI, “Inferno: The Anatomy of...
Read This Book: Emergent Strategy
Mar. 18, 2018—Each month, we ask a member of the Vanderbilt Divinity School faculty or administration to recommend a book they are currently reading. Our March recommendation is offered by Lyndsey Godwin, Assistant Director of the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality. Lyndsey recommends “Emergent Strategy” by adrienne maree brown (AK Press, 2017). “Trust the community” is one of...
Religion in the Arts students create projects of community interest
Mar. 13, 2018—With Commencement on the horizon, students in the Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture (RACC) program at Vanderbilt Divinity School have been preparing final projects to complete the requirements for the program’s certificate. Four of 2018’s certificate recipients are extending their creative reach beyond the Divinity School community to the larger university community and the...