GTU Voices

Welcome to GTU Voices, where students, faculty, alumni, staff, and supporters of the Graduate Theological Union share reflections on the academic and cultural life within our diverse GTU community. If you’d like to join the conversation, contact communications@gtu.edu.

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GTU Alum of the Year Interview | Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne (PhD, 2016)

Rev. Dr. Carmen Lansdowne is from Alert Bay, British Columbia, and a proud member of the Heiltsuk First Nation. Rev. Dr. Lansdowne's journey in theological scholarship has been imbued with a deep commitment to an Indigenous way of being in the world. Rev. Dr. Lansdowne earned her PhD in 2016 from the GTU in Interdisciplinary Studies, with her scholarly work centered on indigenous epistemologies, delving into Christian missiology. She recently made history as the United Church of Canada’s 44th Moderator, becoming the first Indigenous woman to hold this position. 

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Interview | Wolf Clifton, Presidential Scholarship Recipient

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.

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Interview | Deborah Jungmi Kang, Presidential Scholarship Recipient

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.

 

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Interview | Meg Mercury, Presidential Scholarship Recipient

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.

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GTU Alum Profile | Genevieve Greinetz (MA, 2017)

Genevieve Greinetz serves as Assistant Rabbi and Director of Education at Peninsula Temple Beth El in San Mateo, CA. Her work there encompasses running youth and teen programs, overseeing services and other events, and engaging in mindfulness practices with people of all ages. She has an academic background in East Asian religion and graduated with an MA in Jewish Studies from the GTU in 2017. Among her other pursuits in mindfulness, she is also a published poet.  

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GTU Alum Profile | Dr. May T. Kosba (PhD, 2022)

Dr. May Kosba graduated with her PhD in Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion from the GTU in 2022. As an esteemed Presidential Scholar, Dr. Kosba’s work at the GTU focused on race, religion, and literature in Africa and the African diaspora with a specific focus on Egypt. Following her studies with the GTU, she was appointed as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Program in African Studies (PAS) at the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS) at Princeton University. One year after receiving her doctorate, we took time to catch up with Dr. Kosba to learn more about her work, research, and reflections on her time with the GTU. 

 

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Interview | Beth Kumar, Director of Library Services

Beth Kumar is the Director of Library Services at the GTU Library. Beth has held a number of positions in the GTU library since arriving in 2014, including the Head of Reference for five years. She holds a MS in Library and Information Science, and an EdM in Educational Leadership and Organization in Higher Education both from the University of Illinois, as well as a BS in History from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. 

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Distinguished Faculty Lecturer | Dr. Richard K. Payne (PhD, 1986)

Dr. Richard K. Payne is the GTU’s award recipient for the 47th Annual Distinguished Faculty Lecture. Dr. Payne is Yehan Numata Professor of Japanese Buddhist Studies, Chair of IBS Publications Committee, and he is the Buddhism and Contemporary Psychology Certificate Program Director at the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS). He is also a Core Doctoral Faculty member, and he has been at the GTU since 1995. Dr. Payne will present the 47th Annual Distinguished Faculty Lecture, titled, “From Ritual to Religion: The Consequences of Taking Nondualism Seriously,” on November 15, 2022, at 6:00 pm (PT).

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GTU Alum Profile | Dr. Mary E. Hunt (PhD, 1980)

Dr. Mary E. Hunt is a prominent Catholic feminist theologian who lectures and writes on theology and ethics with particular attention to social justice concerns. She has taught at Georgetown, Iliff School of Theology, and Pacific School of Religion, and she has published numerous books, articles, and chapters, and co-edited several works, including New Feminist Christianity: Many Voices, Many Views (SkyLight Paths Publishing, 2010), with Diann L. Neu. She is the cofounder and codirector of the Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER) in Maryland, a non-profit educational center and public charity with a commitment to engaging theological training and scholarship in the service of social change.

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GTU Alum of the Year Interview | Dr. David Batstone (PhD, 1989)

Dr. David Batstone is an author, activist, entrepreneur, and academic. He is the Professor Emeritus of the School of Management at the University of San Francisco. Prior to his emeritus appointment at the School of Management, Dr. Batstone served as Professor of Entrepreneurship & Innovation at USF and, prior to that, Professor of Ethics in the Theology and Religious Studies Department. He graduated with his PhD from the GTU in 1989. 

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