2021 ALUMNUS OF THE YEAR
Healing the World with
HOPE & ACTIVISM Rev. Dr. Al Tizon (PhD '05) celebrates his Filipino heritage and God's work among the most vulnerable
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n August, the Rev. Dr. Al Tizon (PhD ’05) was named the 2021 GTU Alumnus of the Year. Dr. Tizon is Affiliate Professor of missional and global leadership at North Park Theological Seminary and the author of multiple books on holistic Missiology. He has engaged in community development, church leadership, advocacy, and urban ministry in the United States and in the Philippines. “Dr. Tizon’s selection as the GTU Alumnus of the year is well deserved,” Dr. Elizabeth S. Peña, Interim Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, wrote of this selection. “Dr. Tizon’s global perspective and the intersectionality of his teaching and activism reflects what the GTU hopes for all of its graduates.” On the occasion of this honor, Dr. Tizon shared what this recognition meant to him, how the GTU uniquely prepared him for local and global ministry and scholarship, and how his time at the GTU continues to shape his approach to today’s unique challenges. What does it mean to be recognized as GTU Alumnus of the Year at this time? This recognition means much to me on several levels. Of course, it feels good to be recognized personally. Consider me reenergized to keep doing what I’m doing! But on another level, being recognized for the kind of work in which I’ve engaged— justice, reconciliation, peacemaking, earthkeeping, urban ministry, holistic mission—speaks to the value in the eyes of God of the poor, oppressed, marginalized, and lost. By this award, the GTU
20 Graduate Theological Union | gtu.edu
The Rev. Dr. Al Tizon celebrated being named GTU Alumnus of the year by returning to the Hewlett Library, where he spent years as a PhD student. Photo: Benjamin Heller
