Dr. Ted F. Peters Named 2023 GTU Excellence in Teaching Award Winner
BERKELEY, CA—May 12, 2023—The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) is pleased to announce that Dr. Ted F. Peters, Distinguished Research Professor of Systematic Theology and Ethics, has been selected as the recipient of the GTU Excellence in Teaching Award for 2023. The honor was announced at the GTU Commencement on May 11.
The Excellence in Teaching Award is presented annually to recognize a member of the GTU’s core doctoral faculty for exemplary embodiment of the values of interreligious sensitivity and commitment, interdisciplinary approach and content in teaching, sensitivity to ethnic and cultural diversity, and creative and effective classroom pedagogical methods and performance.
“The selection committee was impressed by the high praise for Dr. Peters’ teaching that was expressed by the doctoral students in the Theology & Ethics Department, who praised Dr. Peters for being ’engaging, delightful, uplifting, knowledgeable, and someone who exhibits genuine care and encouragement of his students,’” said Dr. Jennifer W. Davidson, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the GTU. “Additionally, our selection committee praised Dr. Peters’ courses as masterpieces of interdisciplinary pedagogy.”
Dr. Peters arrived at the GTU in 1978 and has taught in the doctoral program continuously into his present emeritus stage. During that career, he served both as Interim Dean of the GTU and Interim President of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.
From 1998 to 2003 he directed the Science and Religion Course Program at the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS), which fostered the development of new courses in science and religion around the world. Along with Dr. Robert John Russell, Dr. Peters is the co-founder and co-editor of the journal, Theology and Science, at CTNS.
Dr. Peters is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and is the author of a number of publications, including his systematic theology, God—The World's Future, which is now in its third edition and has been used as a textbook in numerous seminaries around the world.
“I am so honored by this recognition, especially because student evaluations contributed to the award decision,” Dr. Peters said. “It’s important for me to feel that my efforts contribute to the students’ own educational goals. Teaching is my form of ministry. Teaching is my witness both to integrity inherent in our rational search for truth and to gratitude for God’s gracious coaxing us to pursue truth.”
The GTU Excellence in Teaching Award was instituted in 2003. Previous winners include Dr. Devin P. Zuber (2022), Dr. Mary E. McGann (2021), Dr. Rebecca K. Esterson (2020), Dr. Arthur Holder (2019), and Dr. Jean-François Racine (2018).