Graduate Department Of Religion

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

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

Religious liberty is one of the earliest civic values associated with the United States, yet defining and defending it has proved a centurieslong process. When divided opinions by the court claim to be speaking for religious liberty, it's because religious liberty under the Constitution contains both a right to freely exercise religion and a right not to be coerced via the state into accepting someone else’s religious practices. Read More

Rabbi Jonathan Brumberg-Kraus, a professor of religion at Wheaton College, has written extensively on food rituals and Jewish food for more than 20 years. His book "Gastronomic Judaism as Culinary Midrash" was published in 2018 (Rowman & Littlefield). He defines midrash as “a way of interpreting traditional stories and practices in new ways,” food being one of them. Now, he's turning his attention to Thanksgiving food myths and rituals. Read More

The research of New Testament scholar Richard Batey, BD'58, PhD'61, into the ancient city of Sepphoris in Galilee broadens ideas about Jesus and gives a new perspective for understanding the Gospels. Read More

Vanderbilt University Theatre will premiere "Lovelaces" and "Wingman Telegram"—two pandemic-themed plays written by Vanderbilt students—at Neely Auditorium Nov. 12–14. Read More

An exhibition by African American artist Omari Booker, whose works include themes of social justice and changing neighborhoods, is on display at Vanderbilt Divinity School through Feb. 28. Read More

"Cultures in Clay," a new exhibit at Vanderbilt Divinity Library, spotlights a 4,000-year-old cuneiform writing system on tablets used by ancient Sumerians, Babylonians and Assyrians. Read More

A significant portion of the front of the Vanderbilt Divinity School has been removed—one of many signs of progress on the building's $11.5 renovation and addition—scheduled to open August 2018. Read More

A senior rabbi who has worked tirelessly to promote racial and religious respect and a national leader in environmental efforts are the 2017 Divinity School and GDR Distinguished Alumni/ae. Read More

A $1 million grant from The Henry Luce Foundation will establish the Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative at Vanderbilt Divinity School, to be directed by Dean Emilie M. Townes. Read More

The opportunity to learn from Latino/a role models in the academy is among the benefits of being a Hispanic Theological Initiative fellow, according to two Vanderbilt Graduate Department of Religion students. Read More

The Eva F. and Peter C. Hodgson Scholarship has been endowed by an emeritus theology professor and his wife to benefit Vanderbilt Divinity and Graduate Department of Religion students. Read More

The Forum for Theological Exploration has awarded 2015 fellowships that support rising theological educators of color to Vanderbilt doctoral students Bridgett A. Green, Aaron Howard and Michael R. Fisher. Read More

Tennessee's first African American state health commissioner and an internationally renowned scholar on the Old Testament will be honored Oct. 30 by Vanderbilt Divinity School and the Graduate Department of Religion. Read More

Twenty-eight retiring faculty members were recognized during Vanderbilt’s Commencement ceremony May 8, when the university honored their years of service and bestowed on them the title of emeritus or emerita faculty. Read More

Fred Craddock, who became an extraordinary preacher, writer and mentor to his students after earning his doctorate from Vanderbilt's Graduate School of Religion in 1964, has died. Read More

Vanderbilt students who traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border last May will discuss the impact of that trip on their concept of immigration during a Divinity School breakfast Dec. 4. Read More

It's been 50 years since eight African American students first enrolled as undergraduates at Vanderbilt. The university is marking this and other milestones with a new website and with banners displayed in a central location on campus. Read More

Legendary singer-songwriter George Clinton will speak at a Vanderbilt symposium Oct. 18 on "Afrofuturism in Black Theology." Read More