Here are some recent media stories about the Graduate Theological Union, our member schools, and our faculty and alumni/ae. For more information or a media packet, contact the GTU Communications Office at 510/649-2422.

Please note: External links to articles or audio files are current on date of posting. News outlets may remove or change URL according to individual publication policies.

August 27, 2008
San Francisco Chronicle
Can religion make a difference in politics?
GTU President James A. Donahue addresses the opportunity and responsibility inherent in the interfaith forums being held at the Democratic National Convention.

July 11, 2008
London Daily Telegraph
GTU Alumna Among 50 Most Influential Figures in the Anglican Church
Dr. Jenny Plane-Te Paa, Ahorangi or Principal of Te Rau Kahikatea at the College of St. John the Evangelist in Auckland, New Zealand, and 2001 GTU PhD graduate is 20th on the Telegraph’s list of 50 most influential Anglicans.
The Telegraph calls her “an influential voice in Anglican liberal circles,” for her outspokenness in condemning homophobia, and her claim that the obsession of the church with trying to determine who should be allowed to remain within its fold distracted it from the suffering in the world. Read more...

Note: 2nd on the Telegraph’s 50 most influential Anglicans list was Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the US, who earned an MDiv and DD from GTU’s member school Church Divinity School of the Pacific.

May 5, 2008
San Francisco Chronicle
Berkeley art historian Jane Dillenberger on creativity, prayer and the spirituality of Andy Warhol
Professor emerita Jane Daggett Dillenberger discusses the underlying spirituality of legendary artist Andy Warhol.

April 15, 2008
San Francisco Chronicle
What the Pope will see in America
GTU President James A. Donahue addresses the religious and political atmosphere which will greet Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to America and his expected responses.

KQED Radio
James A. Donahue converses with Michael Krasny on Forum concerning the Pope's visit to America.

March 28, 2008
Religious News Service
In anticipation of Pope Benedict XVI's visit to America, GTU President James A. Donahue contributes to what the Pope might address during his visit.

March 16, 2008
KRON 4 TV
GTU's Center for Islamic Studies Director Munir Jiwa speaks with Henry Tenenbaum on Morning News Weekend about the opening of the Center for Islamic Studies and its subsequent significance.

February 9, 2008
KCBS Radio
GTU President James A. Donahue says Catholic-Jewish relations may be strained after the Pope allowed revision to a Good Friday prayer.

December 6, 2007
San Jose Mercury News
How much faith is too much faith for presidential candidates?
In an article which addresses the religious affiliations of current and past presidential candidates, GTU President James A. Donahue comments on Mitt Romney's task of de-mystifying Mormonism in order to sway some conservative voters.

December 5, 2007
KCBS Radio
GTU President James A. Donahue addresses the beliefs of Mormonism and how the public views Mormonism will affect Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

November 6, 2007
San Francisco Chronicle
Studying Islam for a more peaceful world
GTU President James A. Donahue and Center for Islamic Studies Director Munir Jiwa address the importance of understanding Islam as a living world religion in a broad, interfaith context.

KQED Radio
Morning Drive-Time Reporter Stephanie Martin interviews Munir Jiwa, director of the Center for Islamic Studies, about the opening of the Center for Islamic Studies and its importance to our local, national, and world communities.

September 2, 2007
Contra Costa Times
Healing 'Reigning Woman' icon coming to San Francisco
China Galland, professor-in-residence at CARE and author of "Longing for Darkness: Tara and the Black Madonna" is quoted in this article about the recently revived icon, "Reigning Woman" to display in San Francisco as part of its ongoing tour.

July 26, 2007
San Jose Mercury News
Doug Adams, taught religion and fine arts
The life of Doug Adams (1945-2007), professor in religion and the arts at the Pacific School of Religion (PSR) and treasurer to the board of the Center for the Arts, Religion and Education (CARE) is remembered by friends and co-workers.

July 14, 2007
Inside Bay Area
Papal proclamations dismay East Bay religious leaders
GTU President James A. Donahue is quoted in an article about Pope Benedict's assertion that Roman Catholicism is the "'one true church.'"

July 10, 2007
KQED Radio
GTU President James A. Donahue speaks on Forum, a KQED (88.5 FM) show hosted by Michael Krasny. He joins the award-winning journalist and blogger Lisa Stone and Don Hanlon-Johnson of the California Institute of Integral Studies to discuss civility in politics, culture, media, on the Web, and blogosphere.

June 29, 2007
Star-Telegram
The Shia you don't hear about
Anthony Mansueto (Ph.D '85) writes an article about His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.

June 19, 2007
KGO TV
GTU President James A. Donahue is interviewed by ABC7 News (KGO TV) on the subject of Pope Benedict's "Ten Commandments of Driving".

June 9, 2007
Dallas Morning News
Cemetery Struggle is a Labor of ‘Love’
China Galland, a professor with the Center for the Arts, Religion, and Education (CARE), a GTU affiliate, is featured on her latest work, Love Cemetery, which tells the story of a black burial ground in East Texas.

Cathedral Goes Up Despite Criticism
The article on the construction of the new Catholic cathedral in Oakland includes quotes from GTU Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Arthur Holder and Mia Mochizuki, Thomas E. Bertelson, Jr. Chair of Art History and Religion at the GTU and JSTB.

June 1, 2007
San Francisco Chronicle
Mission Accomplished for Pastor
GTU Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Arthur Holder is quoted in an article about the Rev. Bill Beatty of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Oakland, who is retiring after leading the congregation for thirty-four years.

May 16, 2007
Contra Costa Times
East Bay Remembers Two Sides of Leader
GTU President James A. Donahue is quoted in an article about the late Rev. Jerry Falwell.

May 4, 2007
Contra Costa Times
Truck Driver’s History Raises Many Questions
GTU President James A. Donahue is quoted in an article about the driver of a truck that crashed on Interstate 880, destroying an overpass ramp.

April 16, 2007
San Jose Mercury News
New Look for Baptism
GTU Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs Arthur Holder is cited in an article about baptism.

March 17,2007
Contra Costa Times
Seminary Hires Director to Lead Studies of Islam
GTU Dean Arthur Holder is quoted in an article about the GTU’s new Center for Islamic Studies and its selection of Munir Jiwa as its director.

March 8, 2007
Bradenton Herald [originally Contra Costa Times]
Pastors Go High-Tech with Sermons
Stewart Heller, lecturer at the Center for the Arts, Religion, and Education (CARE), a GTU affiliate, and Doug Adams, director of the center, are quoted in an article about technology and the church.

March 2, 2007
Bay Area Business Woman
Women Bring Jewish Music to Bay Area
Eleanor Shapiro, a GTU doctoral student in Jewish studies, is featured as the director of the Bay Area’s Jewish Music Festival.

February 16, 2007
Fordham Online
Religion and Art: Allies or Adversaries?
Margaret Miles (Ph.D.’77), former GTU dean, participates in a Fordham University symposium entitled “Wrestling with the Angel: Religion and Art.”

February 9, 2007
KCBS Radio
GTU President James A. Donahue is interviewed on KCBS (740 AM) about the controversy surrounding Israeli excavations around the Temple Mount and the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem.

February 5, 2007
News@Princeton
Investigating Clues to a Life, Biehl Discovers Larger Reality
Princeton University anthropologist Joao Biehl (Ph.D. ’96) is featured for his award-winning work in medical anthropology, social studies of science and technology, and globalization and development.

January 16, 2007
InsideBayArea.com
Buddhist Center Actualized 40 Years after Contemplation
Richard Payne, dean of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, a GTU affiliate, is quoted in an article about its new Buddhist learning center in Berkeley.

January 2, 2007
Pioneer Press
Nighttime Visitors
GTU visiting scholar Kelly Bulkeley is quoted in an article about dreams.

For coverage prior to 2007, visit the archive.