Divinity

Four Vanderbilt alumni who devoted their lives to ministry, scholarship and social justice issues have been recognized as the 2023 Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion Distinguished Alumni/ae. Read More

The Divinity School’s storied history and reputation for theological education—including advocacy for racial and social justice—were key to Yolanda Pierce’s move to Vanderbilt for the deanship. Read More

Dean Yolanda Pierce has undertaken several community outreach efforts this fall, with the goal of making “radical hospitality” a cornerstone of her tenure at Vanderbilt Divinity School. Read More

Singers and songwriters Garth Brooks and Stephanie Davis will discuss the continuing importance of a song they co-wrote more than three decades ago when Vanderbilt Divinity School hosts “We Shall Be Free in 2023: Pursuing Unity Through Music” on April 11 at Langford Auditorium. Read More

Yolanda Pierce, dean of the Howard University School of Divinity and a prominent leader on the role of religion in public life, will become dean of Vanderbilt University's Divinity School effective July 1. Read More

Emilie Townes, who will step down as dean of the Divinity School on June 30, reflects on her leadership and areas of change and growth for the school in this Q&A. Read More

In celebration of Black History Month, Vanderbilt Divinity School is hosting the exhibition Culture Commodity, featuring the work of Nashville multidisciplinary artist Elisheba Israel Mrozik, Feb. 3–25. Read More

An influential leader in the inclusion of arts in theological education and a Triple ’Dore who is devoted to fostering excellence in the academic study of religion have been selected as the 2022 Vanderbilt Divinity School and Graduate Department of Religion Distinguished Alumni/ae. Read More

Vanderbilt Divinity School’s first class of integrative chaplains—who are focused on serving veterans and active-duty service members through best practices in spiritual and mental health care—will earn a doctor of ministry next spring. Read More

In her new book spanning culture, law, science and theology, Vanderbilt Divinity professor Stephanie Budwey explores the experiences of intersex people in church and faith communities. Read More

Vanderbilt-related authors will have a strong presence at the 2022 Southern Festival of Books: A Celebration of the Written Word, which takes place at War Memorial Plaza and Nashville Public Library Oct. 14–16. Read More

Members of the Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center communities are invited to attend a special “Faith and Politics” panel discussion featuring Michigan state Sen. Mallory McMorrow. The event, which includes fellow panelists Dean Emilie M. Townes of Vanderbilt Divinity School and Professor Katherine Crawford of the College of Arts and Science, will take place Monday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. in Wilson Hall, Room 103. Read More

We Shall Overcome: Civil Rights and the Nashville Press, 1957-1968, a photography exhibition on loan to Vanderbilt Divinity School from the Frist Art Museum, illuminates key moments in Nashville’s struggle for racial equality, including the leadership of the Rev. James Lawson. Read More

The inaugural Black Girls Becoming Summer Research Institute, held at Vanderbilt University this summer, hosted 19 rising seventh- and eighth-grade girls from Metro Nashville and as far away as Memphis for a no-cost, residential learning experience. Participants learned more about themselves and their peers through classes in science research, critical consciousness, the arts and financial literacy. Read More

Vanderbilt Divinity School and the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements will host “Nonviolence in a Troubled World: A Time for Communal Lament, Reflection and Call to Action” on Wednesday, May 18, from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Read More

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Raver has appointed a committee to conduct a national search for the next dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School. The committee includes faculty members, deans, an alumnus and a current student. Read More

Emilie M. Townes, who has led the reenvisioning of theological education at Vanderbilt Divinity School while increasing the visibility of the institution’s historical commitment to seeking justice, will step down as dean effective June 30, 2023. Read More

The Rev. James Lawson returned to Vanderbilt University for the April 7 launch of an institute that carries forward his commitment to achieving justice and equality through nonviolent movements and strategies. Read More

Vanderbilt University will launch the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements during a livestreamed celebration featuring the Rev. James Lawson and keynote speaker John M. Seigenthaler on April 7. Read More

Duke Ph.D. candidate Elizabeth Schrader will discuss "Mary Magdalene in the Gospel of John: A Case of Textual Suppression?" on Wednesday, March 30, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Vanderbilt Divinity School, Room 124. Schrader will share her peer-reviewed research about the possibility that Mary Magdalene’s role was deliberately suppressed by copyists of the Gospel of John. Read More