Experiences

Wolf Gordon Clifton is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year. Wolf will study in the department of Theology and Ethics. He holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from Vanderbilt University, a M.A. in Museology and Graduate Certificate of Astrobiology from the University of Washington, and a M.S. in Geological Sciences and Graduate Certificate in Conservation Biology from Ohio University.

Deborah Jungmi Kang is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year. Deborah will study in the department of Religion and Practice. She holds a D.Min. in Preaching, M.T.S., and M.Div. from The Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; M.Th. from Yonsei University Graduate School; and B.Th. from Hyupsung University.

Meg Mercury is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship for the 2023-2024 academic year. Meg will study in the department of Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion. They hold a M.A. in Religion & Theology and a M.A. in Directed Studies from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

Doctoral student Rachelle Syed reflects on attending the International Conference on Cohesive Societies in Singapore in June 2019, and what her experiences suggest about the interreligious opportunities available at the GTU. 

"In addition to scholar-practitioners, there are many students like me who don’t practice the traditions we study. As outsiders, we have a unique perspective to employ in our research, and the GTU embraces our contributions wholeheartedly."

As she prepares to celebrate her final Commencement as the GTU's Dean of Students, Kathleen Kook reflects on the individuals and experiences that have made her 27 years at the GTU so memorable.

Doctoral student Gordon Gilmore reflects on the wealth of interreligious conversation that surrounds him each day at the GTU, and the way that diverse community shapes his own scholarly work.

"As the son of a first-generation immigrant, I walk a delicate tightrope when it comes to cultural identification: Am I Mexican or American? . . .  Liminal space defines a large portion of my identity. Now, interestingly, it is shaping the way I do my work as a biblical scholar."

GTU President Daniel Lehmann reflects on his March 2019 trip to South Korea."I was struck by the extensive institutional infrastructure of the Christian communities in South Korea and the powerful role church communities play in the lives of so many South Korean parishioners . . . . Through its alumni and current students, the GTU is making a powerful impact on Korean religious life." 

"My role as Assistant Curator at the GTU’s Center for the Arts & Religion (CARe) and Doug Adams Gallery has given me the opportunity to combine my two professional interests: academic museums and the study of religion. This job has been an incredible learning opportunity for me in more ways than I anticipated."