Dear Friends of the GTU,

The American Academy of Religion meeting in November filled me with enthusiasm for the compelling work that is going on in the Academy, and in particular the theological work that is occurring at the GTU. I felt enormously proud to see the sheer volume and creative scholarship reflected in the papers and panel presentations given by GTU faculty and students in all the theological disciplines. I was particularly pleased to see the leadership roles that our faculty play in convening sessions of the AAR.

One of the highlights of the meeting was the alumni luncheon attended this year by over 150 GTU alums. A real spirit of community and camaraderie was evident at the luncheon. As an alum, I can attest to how transforming the GTU experience is. It is impossible to engage in the conversations and curriculum here without being changed in fundamental ways. As our 2003 Alum of the Year Joanna Dewey said, the support of a community of scholars that is truly ecumenical and diverse shapes one’s ideas of what theological education should look like. The academic life can be an isolated and isolating life. The GTU, as Dewey said, provides a model for a more communal approach to scholarship.

Being at the AAR reminded me once again of the uniqueness and distinctiveness of the GTU. There really is no other theological program like ours. Our alums talk excitedly about the ecumenical and interreligious aspects of their program; how they studied and learned with and from theologians and students from all religious backgrounds and traditions; their work at UC Berkeley; and how supportive their own professors were in enabling each of them to find their own theological voice. It is the originality, the creativity, and the confidence of our training that alumni cite as having made an enormous impact on their careers.

The responsibility of the GTU today is to ensure that future generations of students and alums will be able to find that same ecumenical and interreligious community in pursuit of the theological training that will make a difference for the future. This issue of Currents will give you a glimpse of exactly how this is occurring right now. It is a most exciting time to be engaged in theological education. The GTU and the AAR reflect this excitement.

We are tremendously grateful for your continued involvement in, and support of, this wonderful institution. My very best wishes to you all.

Regards,

James A. Donahue

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