Drew Theological School

mourns the passing of several important figures in our community.

Rev. Dr. Dorothy Austin, former Associate Professor of Psychology and Religion at Drew Theo and , served from 1991 to 2000. She died at the age of 82.

As an ordained Episcopal priest, she and her wife, Dr. Diana Eck - Professor of Comparative Religion and Indian Studies Emerita and Frederic Wertham Research Professor of Law and Psychiatry in Society at Harvard - also served as deans of Harvard’s Lowell House.

“Dorothy came from fishing folk and she could cast a net (or a spell) and draw in vibrant rainbowed life,” remembered Rev. Dr. Heather Murray Elkins, Professor Emerita of Worship, Preaching, and the Arts. “She cast the vision for Public Theology that brought the leading scholars and influencers to the Forest."

Rev. Dr. William Presnell T’65, T’76, who earned both a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry at Drew, passed away at 91 years old.

After his studies, he continued a long term role serving as an adjunct professor at Drew, teaching courses in the MDiv and DMin programs.

As an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church, he was "dedicated to the mission of Drew Theological School," said Rev. Dr. Meredith Hoxie Schol. “The positive influence of Rev. Dr. Bill Presnell spans across decades of our life together as the Drew community."

Rev. Dr. Clayton Z. Miller T’59, T’75, former trustee of Drew University and adjunct faculty member, died at the age of 92.

Rev. Dr. Miller’s legacy at Drew will continue on through an endowment he established in 2013: The Rev. Dr. Clayton Z. Miller T’59, T’75 Scholarship. Awarded annually to a Theological School student, the scholarship recognizes excellence in supervised ministry and strong promise for leadership in congregational clergy.

He earned both a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Drew Theological School and was ordained by The United Methodist Church.

“The gift that I give to them is not an end in itself,” Rev. Dr. Miller had said of his endowment. “It’s a means to a greater gift, which is their ministry.”

PhD students Lerato Pitso and Fellipe Dos Anjos Pereira have each been awarded the prestigious Louisville Doctoral Fellowship, a competitive two-year program that encourages PhD and ThD students to pursue theological education as a vocational calling.

As fellows, Pitso and Dos Anjos Pereira will participate in two annual formational gatherings through the Louisville Institute’s Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative, joining a national cohort of emerging theological scholars and educators.

“Drew Theological School has prepared me for the Louisville Doctoral Fellowship by making room for me to live out my Ubuntu-shaped African women’s theologies, my experience of living through apartheid South Africa, and my AME Church tradition fully into my becoming,” said Pitso.

“As an international student far from home, I am in/formed by a community that keeps showing up. Thus, this moment is not only about individual achievement; it is also about making space so that those who come after us are able to stand and speak.”

“In times of hostility, Drew welcomed me, invested in my calling, and equipped me for new challenges in theological education and socio-environmental justice,” said Dos Anjos Pereira.

“The Forest has become my home, my strength, and my foundation. Thanks to all this support, I was able to be accepted by the Louisville Institute, an organization so vital to the formation and empowerment of theological education in the United States.”

“As an international student, I believe that Drew and Louisville share a virtue that goes beyond even the institutional excellence they demonstrate: a hospitality that makes new futures possible,” continued Dos Anjos Pereira.

“And in times of hostility, hospitality is sacred and changes worlds. I am grateful to see my world being transformed by Drew University and the Louisville Institute.”

Congratulations on these fellowships to Lerato and Fellipe!

https://drew.edu/2026/07/09/two-drew-theological-school-students-awarded-louisville-doctoral-fellowships/

convened scholars, alums, students, and faculty for the 21st Transdisciplinary Theological Colloquium ( ), a three-day hybrid gathering that challenged participants to rethink the timely concept of the apocalypse.

Framed by the theme “Apocalypse Now and When” and inspired by the work of Dr. Catherine Keller, now the George T. Cobb Professor Emerita of Constructive Theology, the colloquium explored the many histories and possibilities of apocalypse across disciplines. Dr. Keller delivered the keynote address in what marked her final colloquium as a Drew professor.

The event kicked off with a series of student panel presentations. Participants included Beth Quick, Susan Chang Saridakis, Yajenlemla, Tyler Heston Wolf, Eun Sung Han, Bethany E. M. Davy, Bryant Burkhart, Lerato Pitso, and Fellipe dos Anjos Pereira. Their work sparked thoughtful engagement with scholars in discussion and inquiry.

Dr. Keller’s keynote address traced similarities between Revelation’s imagery and today’s environmental crises, including deforestation and water pollution. “The mourning of the earth’s wounds has spread pretty widely,” she said.

At the heart of Dr. Keller’s address was a reframing of hope. “Christians are neither optimists nor pessimists,” she said. “We are hopeful. Yet, hope has to be reinvented constantly. That’s the key to perseverance. It’s not regulated by the predictability of a preordained future. Hope has to be improvised. Optimism believes it is embracing a sure future. Hope lacks the sense of guarantee and faces its present reality with all of its dangers.”

The following day’s faculty panels extended these conversations, examining apocalypse in contexts from biblical texts to contemporary, cultural, and political life. Dr. Rob Seesengood responded and facilitated a panel discussion around the theme, “Apocalypse (Mostly) Where You Expect to Find It.” The panel featured Dr. Stephen D. Moore, Rev. Dr. Melanie Johnson-DeBaufre, and Dr. O’neil van Horn T’17, T’21.

Cutting-edge contributions from past years of the Transdisciplinary Theological Colloquium at Drew are available in a series of volumes published by Fordham University Press.

celebrates The Rev. Dr. Dawrell Rich T’12, T’24 on his induction into the 41st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity’s Collegium of Scholars at Morehouse College.

Held at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel in Atlanta on April 9, the Collegium of Scholars recognizes individuals whose work embodies a sustained commitment to justice, moral leadership, and service in the tradition of Dr. King.

“As a pastor, educator, and scholar, I am continually aware that my work is an extension of the intellectual and spiritual grounding cultivated during my time at Drew,” said Rev. Dr. Rich. “My studies - both in the Master of Divinity program and in my doctoral work in Religion, Society, and Ecology - shaped my commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry, public theology, and the pursuit of justice in both ecclesial and civic spaces.”

“This recognition is not mine alone, but reflects the investment of faculty, mentors, and colleagues who helped to form me as a scholar-practitioner committed to bridging the academy, the church, and the community.”

https://drew.edu/2026/04/24/the-rev-dr-dawrell-rich-t1224-inducted-into-the-collegium-of-scholars-at-morehouse-college/

Drew University has received a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Endeavor Foundation to support the continued growth of the Drew University Institute for Emerging Leaders.

The Institute, a program within Drew’s Center on Religion, Culture, and Conflict (CRCC), equips undergraduate and graduate students with practical skills in dialogue, conflict resolution, intercultural understanding, and collaborative leadership.

“This grant reflects outside confidence in Drew’s work to prepare emerging leaders for a society that urgently needs stronger skills in civic dialogue, bridge-building, and peace-focused leadership,” said Dr. Jonathan Golden, Director of the CRCC and Teaching Professor in Religious Studies.

“It will be invaluable to Drew’s efforts to make a profound impact in advancing the University’s broader mission to prepare students to respond thoughtfully and constructively to the urgent challenges of our time.”

The Institute, which is actively recruiting high school, college, and graduate students, was launched in 2023 in response to growing polarization and identity-based conflict on campuses and in society.

It brings together students from diverse backgrounds for an intensive residential experience at Drew, where they work with faculty, practitioners, and community leaders to build tools needed to lead across differences in their campuses, communities, and future professions.

The Endeavor Foundation grant comes at a critical moment in the Institute’s development and will help strengthen and sustain a program that addresses a growing national need.

Founded in 1952, the Endeavor Foundation promotes societal good through grantmaking in areas including education, mental health, civic engagement, and the arts.

https://drew.edu/2026/04/29/drew-university-receives-300000-endeavor-foundation-grant-for-leadership-program/

TSA invites students and the Theo community to tonight’s Summer Supper! Save the date for the upcoming community dinners. 🥗🍝🍙🍪

Check out this job listing from the First Presbyterian Church of Verona: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SrRftzfGny1X52L_o3i5yRiAEdCiKcFf/view?usp=sharing

Find the full Job Board here: https://drew.edu/theological-school/resources/job-board/

In the days leading up to Commencement, student-led organizations at gathered to celebrate graduating students through a series of cultural and spiritual ceremonies marking the close of the academic year.

The week of celebrations began with Korean Night, hosted by the Korean Caucus, which honored graduating students while celebrating Korean culture and community. The organization, made up of dozens of active members, seeks to support the well-being of Korean students while fostering cultural exchange across campus.

Later in the week, the African Students Community at Drew (AfriSCaD) student caucus celebrated their graduating student members during their fourth annual Rite of Passage ceremony.

AfriSCaD offers students the opportunity to form relationships, connections, and a sense of community while transitioning from living in Africa to studying in the U.S. The caucus is a resource for African students in need of support navigating the differences within the foreign community and the ability to remain present to the African identity, cultures, and integrity.

Each graduating student was individually blessed while surrounded by loved ones and members of the Drew community.

The week concluded on the eve of Commencement with a joint Rite of Passage ceremony hosted by the Black Ministerial Caucus (BMC) and the Women’s Ministerial Alliance (WoMA). The ceremony honored students who identify as female and / or as members of the African Diaspora, celebrating not only their academic accomplishments, but also their personal, spiritual, and vocational journeys.

Congratulations once again to the Drew Theological School Class of 2026!

https://drew.edu/2026/05/27/drew-theological-school-student-caucuses-celebrate-graduates-ahead-of-commencement/

Happy birthday to alum, Rev. Dr. Julia Shank Dawson T’96, T’08! On July 9, she will celebrate her 100th birthday.

Rev. Dr. Dawson’s journey to Drew University was anything but traditional. By the time she was 60-years-old, Dawson had endured unimaginable loss. All three of her children died from cystic fibrosis, and shortly thereafter her husband, Chet, died from a brain tumor. Struggling to make sense of her grief, she prayed that God would somehow use her experiences to help others.

Several years later, she felt called to ministry.

Seeking guidance, Dawson turned to the Rev. Ed Clydesdale, a hospital chaplain who had become a trusted spiritual mentor. When she shared her desire to attend seminary later in life, he responded, “If you feel God calling you to use the rest of your life that way, you had better answer His call.”

At age 65, Rev. Dr. Dawson enrolled at Drew Theological School as a Master of Divinity (MDiv) student. Five years later, she graduated and began a new chapter in her life.

Following her ordination, Rev. Dr. Dawson accepted a position as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Verona, NJ, while also volunteering as a hospital chaplain. Soon after, an anonymous grant enabled her to join St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, NJ, as a chaplain in the Pastoral Care department.

Several years into her ministry, Rev. Dr. Dawson once again called Rev. Clydesdale. This time, she asked whether she would be “crazy” to return to Drew to pursue a Doctor of Ministry (DMin).

“Everything you’ve done so far has been wonderfully crazy, so why not?” he responded.

At 82, Dawson earned her DMin from Drew. Her thesis, later published as Hope and Healing: A Spiritual Treasury for Parents, offers spiritual resources for parents from diverse faith traditions.

Rev. Dr. Dawson has referred to Drew as the training ground for her future.

Retiring in 2020, she bid farewell to NJ and returned to her hometown of Waynesboro, PA to reconnect with the landscapes of her childhood.

Drew is proud to call the Rev. Dr. Julia Dawson an alum. Her storied life embodies the shared values the University instills in their students.

https://drew.edu/2026/06/16/a-century-of-faith-service-and-calling/

Drew's Theological Student Association is hosting Summer Suppers again this year! Join us for the first dinner on Thursday, July 9 at 5:30 p.m. in the Atrium of Seminary Hall.