TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Joel N. Lohr offers some parting words.
THE LOHR LEGACY
A look at the President's impactful seven-year tenure.
Q&A WITH DR. SHERRY TURNER
Meet HIU’s next president.
ANDREW YOUNG VISITS
Fundraising dinner boosts the effort to fund a new building for the Howard Thurman Center.
INDONESIAN CONNECTIONS
Opportunities grow with visits by the President and faculty members to the island country, as well as programming at HIU for Indonesian scholars.
CAMPUS LIFE AND NEWS
Learn about faculty news, new staff, publications, awards, and more.
MAP CLASS OF 2024-25
Meet 10 peacebuilders from around the world.
ALUM NEWS
A tribute to our incredible alums and the work they do.
IN MEMORIAM
We remember the alums, faculty members, and Trustees we have lost.
HONOR ROLL OF DONORS
We recognize our donors from July 1, 2023, through Dec. 31, 2024.
Our annual report.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
It’s hard to believe I’m writing my final message like this as President. After serving this incredible institution for nearly seven years, I’m now “making straight the path” for someone new, someone who will continue the good work we’ve accomplished together.
Though many have congratulated me on various accomplishments at HIU, I’ve always viewed my work as just furthering the good work of Heidi Hadsell before me, Barbara Brown Zikmund before her, Mike Rion before her, and so on. And I am grateful that this chain will not be broken in the tremendous hire of Dr.
"I STRUGGLE WITH THE WORD 'LEGACY'... "
Sherry Turner, which you can read about on page 14. I am delighted that our Board of Trustees has done such a superb job in hiring HIU’s next President.
But HIU is about so much more than a president. I confess I winced when I first learned the communications team wanted to title this issue “The Lohr Legacy” and put me on the cover. HIU is not about me. It is about God, our students, our mission, and peace.
But in reflecting on, and reading about, the word “legacy,” I’ve learned that it comes from the Latin word legatus, which is linked to the idea of
“ambassador.” It’s a passing along of things from one to another, especially those who come after us. With that emphasis in mind, I will reflect on my time serving as President of HIU.
From the minute I set foot on campus I knew I was standing on sacred ground. This institution is a place of incredible firsts, one like no other in the world. The first place in America where a woman could go to seminary, in 1889. Yes. That’s us. The first to start a center for the study of Islam and Muslim-Christian relations? Yes. Despite important changes – in name, degrees, new centers, and programing – I have remained committed to
our vision of serving God through cutting edge research, teaching, and dialogue. I’ve always believed my job is not to invent or create but rather is to reflect back to the community what it already does so well and build upon that.
In 2018, when I arrived in Hartford, we almost immediately embarked upon a strategic plan. It was a collaborative effort involving faculty, staff, students, alumni, Trustees, and supporters. We all could see that difficult times laid ahead in higher education, especially in graduate theological education as more schools and seminaries closed each year. But we also knew our long history and unique approach to interreligious studies, dialogue, and peacebuilding was a beacon of light, worthy of being bolstered. And so we as a community embarked on a visioning process to meet the many challenges we faced in the present and could foresee in the future.
The COVID pandemic presented a set of challenges few in higher education had anticipated. It required us to defer talking about many important and strategic matters while we worried for our health, and learned of people in our community facing severe illness and death. But COVID also provided a hidden blessing, an opportunity to reset and rethink how we deliver the education we offer. It helped us focus on what was truly essential at HIU.
Wars around the world, especially in Israel-Palestine, have also been a huge challenge, and heartbreak. So have politics here at home in America. In spring of 2022, our board’s visionary leadership, at my prompting, brought us to vote on a policy to cease making statements on current events, a policy that many elite universities have now begun to institute. We may have even been the first institution of higher education in the U.S. to codify such a policy. It has allowed us to focus on education, research, and dialogue
without a heavy hand from the institution dictating the “right” way to think about an ongoing political conflict, issue, or current happening.
Perhaps most importantly was our decision to double down on the ideas of Hartford, International, University, Religion, and Peace. We all know the name is a mouthful. The acronym HIU is convenient, to be sure. But all the words in our name – each and every one, including “for” – are important. We are local, and yet global. We are Hartford, and yet International. We are not just a graduate school. We are an aspiring University, and the Board of Trustees’ decision to hire a successor to me with a Ph.D. in Psychology is groundbreaking. There is room to grow with the word university, and we have future contributions to make in economics, psychology, education, and human rights, to name a few. Yet, at the same time, we remain fundamentally committed to our vision of serving God, of religious flourishing, and, ultimately, working for peace in doing so.
Many of you know I am a Christian. I am a committed Christian and my faith means everything to me. These past seven years have not always been easy. But I hope my work at HIU has, in small ways, modeled that of the One I follow. For the opportunity you have given me, I am deeply grateful. I need to say thank you, all of you, for what you have done for HIU, for your support of me and my family, and the way you have blessed me with the gifts of trust and confidence. For these things I will be forever grateful, and words cannot express my gratitude. May God bless you all, and may God bless HIU!
JOEL N. LOHR PRESIDENT
President Lohr’s Inauguration Nov. 4, 2018
President Lohr with Ambassador Andrew J. Young 55’
THE LOHR LEGACY
When President Joel N. Lohr walks into a room, heads turn. At 6-foot-8, his height makes it impossible for him to hide, even in a large crowd. He’s often asked if he played basketball, and though the answer is no, it’s always given with a smile.
He learned at an early age not to slump but to own his exceptional stature, even though he occasionally grazes his head on doorframes or ceiling fans or parking garage infrastructure. Over the seven years of his tenure at Hartford International University, he has walked tall in more ways than one.
Within that time frame, President Lohr has guided the institution through a strategic plan, a major restructuring, a name change, globe-shaking events, and a pandemic. The world is not what it was in 2018, when he followed President Emerita Heidi Hadsell into an office she had occupied for 18 years. In just a few months, President Lohr will also follow in her footsteps when he becomes President Emeritus, as voted by the Board of Trustees.
We’ve asked a number of community members to write about how they’ve experienced President Lohr’s tenure at the helm of HIU. Please take a look at what a powerful impact he’s had.
"Joel Lohr is a welcoming and visionary leader. I have witnessed his leadership as a president, colleague, and neighbor, and in every role, he has exceeded all expectations. His natural warmth and hospitality make you feel at home, even when you are thousands of miles away from family. His vision for HIU and its graduates is truly inspiring, and his remarkable legacy will continue to shape HIU and beyond."
Rev. Dr. Ramy N. Marcos, Ph.D, HIU Alum
POINTING TOWARD THE POSSIBLE
BY RICK STAISLOFF SENIOR PARTNER, rpk GROUP
It is taken for granted by most people today that higher education is in need of bold change. That sentiment was less widely held back in 2018 when Joel Lohr was selected as the next president of the then-named Hartford Seminary. Big questions swirled around the Seminary at that time. Could the institution call itself a seminary if it didn’t offer a traditional seminary degree? Did all of the current programs fit within the lived experience of Hartford’s mission? And how might the institution move toward a more sustainable business model while bringing the mission forward in new ways?
I first came to know Joel as part of our work together on the institution’s strategic plan. Unlike most strategic planning processes, Joel had no interest in incremental improvements to Hartford’s current offerings and operations. He recognized that the process would need to become a journey to a new shared future vision that brought together key stakeholders from the board, faculty and staff, students, and the surrounding community. In essence, Joel demonstrated that he was willing to truly lead.
How was that leadership made evident? One, Joel made it clear to the project team that the institution would not shy
away from the hard questions on the table. Two, he communicated an openness to exploring new ways to bring the mission forward. Three, he invested the reservoir of trust and goodwill he had earned into the exploration. As a result, Hartford was able to jump forward into its new chapter, fully embracing and proclaiming a shared future vision of Hartford Seminary as the nation’s leading resource for interreligious education, research, and peace studies.
I am often asked what enables certain higher education institutions to thrive. My number one answer is always the same – “good leadership”. Without the courage to acknowledge the current environment, institutions are unable to envision how they might change to best serve their students and community. Without a bias toward action, the plans institutions make remain just that – plans. Without the conviction to keep going in the face of inevitable obstacles, institutions fail to achieve their new shared future vision. In Joel, Hartford was blessed to have a leader willing to see them through.
There is deep thought in Stoic thinking about what good looks like, especially when it comes to leadership. I’ve always subscribed to the words of Seneca, who said, “Happy is the man who can make others better, not merely when he is in their company, but even when he is in their thoughts.” I consider Joel Lohr to be just such a man, who through his actions showed higher education what is possible, and taught a consultant a thing or two about how to get there.
“Joel Lohr’s legacy is one of passion, integrity, and unwavering commitment to HIU’s mission. As a Board Trustee during his entire tenure, I have witnessed firsthand his ability to inspire, unite, and lead with purpose. His tenure has been marked by growth, innovation, and a deep dedication to the values that define our institution.”
Frank Resnick, Trustee
LASTING CONTRIBUTIONS
BY NASEEM SHAIKH VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
President Joel N. Lohr has left an indelible mark at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (HIU). In the long list of HIU former presidents since 1834, Joel will always have a unique place for the revolutionary changes made during his tenure.
President Lohr is a leader of change. His tenure has been characterized by visionary leadership, a profound commitment to interfaith dialogue, an unwavering dedication to higher education, and a focus on financial management. When President Lohr arrived in 2018, the former Hartford Seminary faced big challenges. Enrollments were coming down, degrees and courses needed restructuring, the donor
base was shrinking, the interfaith dialogue approach needed focus, and there was a need for stronger outreach to students, faculty and staff. Joel rolled up his sleeves and started to work.
He reached out to the Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and the donor base to start developing a strategic plan that would address the challenges and give then Hartford Seminary a long-term vision to grow not just locally but globally. While he has brought a new vision and strong desire for change, he always talks about the past with respect.
I fondly remember the long sessions where we all worked together to develop the strategic plan. We were all excited and worked closely as a team. There were times when we had heated discussions, and President Lohr played a big role in calming us down respectfully. He listens to different points of view, asks questions and shares his views and comments politely, and builds consensus. Though he is always willing to change his position, he is never afraid to take strong positions when needed. But he does it in a polite way.
As a result of President Lohr’s leadership, the strategic plan is finally in place. Our name has changed from Hartford Seminary to Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, giving us better recognition in higher education worldwide. HIU experienced a renaissance in its academic programs. With the help of faculty, President Lohr championed the introduction of innovative courses that address current issues in religion and society. Enrollments are improving, the endowment draw for operating expenses is coming down, and donations are growing.
On the operations front, HIU has outsourced our investment management function and appointed Hirtle Callaghan & Co. as OCIO (Outsourced Chief Investment Officer). Our organizational structure is much stronger with three Vice Presidents managing faculty, operations, and finance, thereby providing much-needed support to the HIU president to focus on growing enrollments and donations both locally and internationally. President Lohr also focused on upgrading skills at the board level and added several highly skilled Trustees with a special focus on diversity. HIU also successfully completed the decennial accreditation process. HIU is fully reaccredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
President Lohr’s tenure at HIU has been marked by significant achievements and lasting contributions. His visionary leadership and commitment to HIU’s mission have solidified his legacy as a transformative figure in higher religious education. The HIU community and beyond will continue to benefit from the foundations he has laid and the example he has set for years to come
JULY 2018 WITH A PASSION FOR INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND DIVERSITY, JOEL N. LOHR LEADERSHIP OF HARTFORD SEMINARY
NOVEMBER 4, 2018
DR. JOEL N. LOHR INAUGURATED AS HARTFORD SEMINARY'S 11TH PRESIDENT
“My hope is to continue to raise the profile of the institution, locally here in Hartford, but also nationally and globally.”
DR. LEO LAMBERT PRESIDENT EMERITUS OF ELON UNIVERSITY, VISITS HARTSEM TO HELP LAUNCH A NEW STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
EARLY 2019
WORK BEGINS ON NEW STRATEGIC PLAN WITH rpk GROUP
MARCH 2020 STRATEGIC PLAN APPROVED BY BOARD AT ONSET OF PANDEMIC
SPRING 2021 FACULTY REALIGNS PROGRAMS | ELLIANCE INC. UNVEILS REBRAND, BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY VOTES FOR NAME CHANGE
MARCHMAY 2020 ALL WORK & CLASSES REMOTE
GRADUATION 2020 HELD ONLINE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY
MAY 2021 DRIVE-THRU GRADUATION
OCTOBER 2021 ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW NAME WITH EVENT, FEATURING CT GOVERNOR NED LAMONT AND MAYOR LUKE BRONIN
JULY 2021 BACK TO THE OFFICE AND PREPARING FOR NEW HYBRID CLASS MODES
EARLY 2022 REBUILDING AFTER PANDEMIC YEARS
RENOWNED NEW TESTAMENT SCHOLAR
AMY-JILL LEVINE JOINS HIU FAMILY
MARCH 2022
WHAT'S IN A NAME? HARTFORD SEMINARY, NOW HARTFORD INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, EXPLAINS
SPRING 2022
HOWARD THURMAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL MINISTRY LAUNCHED
SUMMER 2022
HARTFORD INSTITUTE'S MAJOR PROJECT UNDER WAY
HIU EXPANDS
CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE WITH PURCHASE OF 125 SHERMAN ST.
DISTINGUISHED FACULTY JOIN THE HOWARD THURMAN CENTER
DR. WALTER EARL FLUKER
DR. CHERYL TOWNSEND GILKES
DR. CLEOTHA ROBERTSON
SUMMER 2024 PRESIDENT LOHR ANNOUNCES PLAN TO STEP DOWN
SUMMER 2024 HIU HOSTS FIRST INTERNATIONAL GHADIR CONFERENCE
HIU COMPLETES ACCREDITATION PROCESS FALL 2024 NEWLY DESIGNED DOCTOR OF MINISTRY LAUNCHES
OCTOBER 2023 INTRODUCES 1834, A NEW MEDIA AND MARKETING INITIAIVE
WINTER 2025
PRESIDENT LOHR VISITS INDONESIA TO SOLIDIFY PARTNERSHIPS AND DISCUSS FUTURE
SUMMER 2025
PRESIDENT LOHR COMPLETES HIS TENURE, CREATING A STRONG FUTURE BASE FOR GROWTH AS A UNIVERSITY
A LEADER FOR THE RIGHT TIME
BY CLARE FELDMAN CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
How does one sum up the legacy of a transformative leader who came to Hartford International University to assume the Presidency seven years ago? Thoughtful, intelligent, charismatic, and always leading from his faith in God, President Joel Lohr brought his own distinctive personality and style to the role of President.
There were many things that made President Lohr the right leader at the right time for the university. Foremost was his openness to new ideas and new ways of doing things. This is not always easy at an institution 190 years old, even at an institution that was the first to admit women and the first to have an accredited Islamic Chaplaincy program.
When he first arrived, President Lohr spent months listening to members of the university community, then began talking about what “could be” the institution’s future. One of his first initiatives was inviting Leo Lambert, President Emeritus of Elon University, to meet with staff and Trustees in a planning session about how to honor the past while embracing the future. With unwavering persistence and gentle but firm persuasion, President Lohr led faculty, staff, Trustees, and supporters through a groundbreaking strategic planning process that would remake the university. Over many months of developing the strategic plan that included dealing with the challenges of COVID, President Lohr never wavered in his belief that the university, by implementing the strategic plan, would be stronger than ever.
Rather than asking what President Lohr has accomplished, the question is what hasn’t he accomplished? President Lohr raised over $13 million in donations and grants in seven years. He reconnected with alums such as Ambassador Andrew J. Young ’55 and Beverly Daniel Tatum ’00, former president of Spelman College, and many others. He opened the door to collaboration with other countries, welcomed the Spiritual Life Center to campus, brought world renowned scholars to the faculty, reached out to all faiths and helped make the historic Black Ministries Program a cornerstone of the university.
While President Lohr has repeatedly said he could not have done all he has done without wonderful faculty, dedicated staff, Trustees, and supporters, it is he who saw a vision of what Hartford International University for Religion and Peace could be, and it was he who led us toward that vision.
We wish President Lohr all the best as he begins his journey to new things. We will deeply miss him but will be forever grateful for these last seven years and for his legacy of faith, accomplishment, and commitment to Hartford International’s mission of bringing peace to the world through interfaith dialogue and engagement.
Support the President Lohr Legacy Campaign
Seismic changes have happened in higher education since 2018, including a worldwide pandemic that pushed hybrid and online teaching into the mainstream. As other theological institutions have shuttered or merged, HIU has held onto its independence and its visionary interreligious approach. President Lohr, who will take on the title of President Emeritus and Distinguished Professor of Religion after his tenure ends, often refers to HIU's campus as "sacred ground" and a "beacon of light."
"I've always believed my job is not to invent or create but rather to reflect back to the community what it already does so well and build upon that," he said.
The President Lohr Legacy Campaign will support scholarships and initiatives that bolster HIU's position as the nation's leader in interrreligious education, research, and peacebuilding.
The campaign is more than a dollar goal. It celebrates the progress made under President Lohr's leadership and honors his legacy. The campaign will establish a strong foundation for the next president by enhancing the university's annual fund.
For more information about the fund, please reach out to development@hartfordinternational.edu or call 860-509-9500.
To contribute, please visit our DONATE NOW page and choose President Lohr Legacy Campaign from the "My Donation is for" menu.
MEET HIU'S NEXT PRESIDENT DR. SHERRY TURNER
Dr. Turner was recently the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. She is also an alum of HIU’s Black Ministries Program and, since 2023, has been a member of its Board of Trustees. She will take office in July.
First, congratulations on being named the 12th President of HIU! Tell us about your reaction to the news that you would be leading this 191-year-old institution into the future.
I was thrilled when I received the call from Board Chair Clare Feldman. I hung up the phone and did my happy dance. For months, I had been engaged in a discernment process to identify my next assignment. It was important to be able to incorporate my background in higher education, ministry, and interfaith settings. I had also been wanting to be more involved with HIU. The phone call confirmed what I had been feeling – that God was calling me to use my gifts, talents and skills at HIU.
You have been a Trustee since 2023, and you took part in the Black Ministries Program in the early 1990s, so you know HIU pretty well. What made you decide to apply for the job of President?
Interestingly, I have never considered being a college president even though I have often been encouraged to do so. That all changed after I met President Lohr, learned more about HIU’s new direction and vision, and became a trustee. Getting reacquainted with HIU really inspired me. Even before the president position opened, I often found myself awake at 3:00 a.m., thirsty to learn more about HIU and ways to make it even better. Everything about HIU spoke to my heart and I decided to pursue the position.
What are your priorities for your first year in the job?
It’s too early to identify specifics at this point, but I would like to share some initial thoughts based on conversations I had with folks during my interview. First, I would want to expand the admissions and recruitment pipeline. Our world has become increasingly global but also increasingly polarized. Today, more than ever, the world needs more of what HIU offers -- peacebuilders, religious leaders, spiritual caregivers, and researchers who are well-equipped to serve and lead in a complex and pluralistic world. It is critical that we grow and expand the pipeline of students who flow into the program. This requires us to understand more about the stu-
dents who choose us, the factors that drew them to us, and what they value most about their HIU experience. We need to make sure that we are on the radar of future students who are looking for the kind of educational experience HIU provides. Additionally, I would want to focus on partnerships and connections. Getting to know HIU faculty, staff and students is important to me. I also look forward to meeting our fellow alums, long-time supporters and new friends.
I am very eager to know the various religious and spiritual faith communities in the greater Hartford area. Through my own spiritual journey and my work in interfaith settings, I know the beauty of each of the Abrahamic traditions – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the B’ahai faith. I have been intimately engaged in these communities both domestically and abroad. I welcome the opportunity to deepen HIU’s partnerships with these and other faith communities. HIU’s mission and vision are very compelling, and I want to be able to share our story with others and invite them to invest in our vision. This is going to require great leadership in our development area. I would want to launch the search for a new chief development officer very soon.
Moreover, I would want to develop a shared understanding of our identity as a university and consider the expansion of our academic program. I am especially interested in collaborating with faculty to identify new potential programs that are consistent with our vision.
Your area of expertise is psychology. Do you have ideas about how to incorporate that into HIU’s curriculum?
I am a developmental psychologist who has also studied anthropology, sociology, theology and statistics. I have taught courses in human development, adolescent psychology and sexuality, womanist thought, the psychology of women, the psychology of African American women, intergroup dialogue and more. There are many ways these topics intersect with HIU’s curriculum. Understanding how the context of people’s lives - their socialization, the historical era, the society, government, etc. - influences their development might be extremely useful for religious and spiritual leaders, counselors, chaplains, peacebuilders and others.
Tell us something about yourself that we might find surprising.
That I have an adventurous spirit, love to dance, enjoy rollercoasters and amusement parks, and can’t resist any opportunity to zip line, parasail, or ride a hot air balloon.
ANDREW YOUNG ’55 VISITS HIU FOR FUNDRAISING DINNER
Ambassador Andrew J. Young, a 1955 graduate of then-Hartford Seminary, graced HIU with his presence last fall to help raise funds for a building to be named in his honor. Once renovated, the Ambassador Andrew J. Young Building will house the Howard Thurman Center for Justice and Transformational Ministry (HTC).
At 92, Ambassador Young is a marvel. He remembers well the impact that studying in Hartford had on the rest of his storied career, which included serving in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inner circle, two terms as a U.S. Congressman from Georgia, two terms as Mayor of Atlanta, and a stint as Jimmy Carter’s Ambassador to the United Nations. He was also instrumental in bringing the Olympics to Atlanta in 1996.
Robert Patricelli, a prominent businessman and philanthropist who lives in Simsbury, CT, chaired the fundraising dinner, which honored Ambassador Young and other donors who have contributed to the renovation of what will become the Ambassador Andrew J. Young Building at 125 Sherman Street in Hartford. For many years, the stately brick building housed the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. HIU purchased the building in 2023 and has been working with an architect to design a new interior that will include a resource center for pastors, exhibition space, offices for the Howard Thurman Center staff, classrooms for the Black Ministries Program, and a gathering place for HIU students.
“I really jumped at the opportunity, even though I had no previous connection with the university, to help host this event and to try to raise money for HIU,” Patricelli said. He enumerated three reasons: first, to honor and celebrate Andrew Young and the lessons he shares on non-violence and community building; second, to tap into Andrew Young’s expertise in developing the city of Atlanta and to share that with Hartford; and third, to give back to HIU, a place that is “practicing what it preaches and needs our support.”
A catered dinner began with words from President Joel N. Lohr, who thanked the donors and welcomed Ambassador Young.
“It’s really nice to be able to say, with all sincerity, that getting to know Andrew Young has been one of the greatest gifts of my life,” he said.
Those in attendance watched a video that described how the Ambassador Andrew J. Young Building will bring together the legacies of Young, King, and philosopher and theologian Howard Thurman.
After dinner, President Lohr and Ambassador Young had a conversation that ranged from Ambassador Young’s work in the civil rights movement to his relentless daily schedule to his thoughts and ideas about current world events. Ambassador Young stressed how many parts of his life, from his work at the United Nations to the transformation of Atlanta into an international destination, could be traced to the experiences he had and the connections he made at Hartford Seminary.
“WhenIfoundouttheywanted toputmynameonsomething,I said,‘Well,Iowesomethingtothis place.’ Infact,Ioweeverything.”
Ambassador Young spoke of how his father wanted him to be a dentist. Instead, he was drawn to work for the National Council of Churches and was assigned to Hartford, where he was housed at Hartford Seminary. He walked into the administration building to ask if he could sit in on a course and was offered a full scholarship if he agreed to take three classes. He studied in Hartford for four years, between the ages of 19 and 23.
“There were not many black folk on the campus, but there were people from everywhere else,” he said. “This is where I got my grounding that prepared me for the U.N.”
He also spoke about the strong Quaker influence on campus and how he had “my first lessons in non-violence here.”
“All of it was seeds planted here, so I feel greatly indebted to this place, and I never paid a penny,” he said. “When I found out they wanted to put my name on something, I said, ‘Well, I owe something to this place.’ In fact, I owe everything.”
Mayor of Hartford Arunan Arulampalam presented Ambassador Young with a proclamation and spoke about the value of his continued connection to Hartford.
“You are a living piece of our history, and it’s such an honor to have you back here in the city that loves you so much,” the mayor said. “I love that you are still dreaming of a country that is united in the near future.”
The evening ended with a rousing benediction from Bishop Dr. Benjamin K. Watts, Executive Minister of the Howard Thurman Center and Director of the Black Ministries Program.
Bishop Dr. Watts spoke about how the Black Ministries Program, which was founded in 1982, might have ceased to exist were it not for the support of President Lohr and that of donors such as former HIU Board Chair Sanford Cloud, who was present and has also contributed to the Ambassador Andrew J. Young building fund.
“By every conceivable thought, our doors, our dreams, our hopes for students who did not have opportunities should have been cut off,” Bishop Dr. Watts said. “Instead, not only are we growing, we are thriving.”
TO HELP SUPPORT THE AMBASSADOR ANDREW J. YOUNG BUILDING, CHOOSE THAT NAME FROM THE DROPDOWN MENU ON OUR GIVING PAGE.
GROW AS PRESIDENT, FACULTY TRAVEL TO INDONESIA
With the aim of celebrating and building upon strategic partnerships that bring students to Hartford, President Joel N. Lohr, Professor David D. Grafton, and Library Director Karla Grafton traveled to Indonesia recently to meet with government officials, academic leaders, and HIU alums.
President Lohr traveled to Indonesia first, in December 2024, at the invitation of the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque and Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr. Nasaruddin Umar. In addition to important meetings with government officials and other leaders, President Lohr met the President of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, at the ceremonial opening of the “Tunnel of Friendship.” This newly constructed underground tunnel connects the interior of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque and St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral. President Lohr also attended and spoke at two graduation services, which included students who recently attended short course programs at HIU.
David and Karla Grafton set out for Indonesia in February, arriving in Yogyakarta on Feb. 13. They met with top leaders at a number of universities, including Duta Wacana Christian University, the Islamic University of Sunan Kalijaga, and Muhammadiyah University. The Graftons also met with Dr. Dicky Sofjan and other faculty and staff of the Indonesian Consortium of Religious Studies. Dr. Sofjan has visited HIU several times over the years and has close ties to the institution.
Dr. Grafton gave a public lecture on "Christianity and Dialogue with the Asian Religions" at Satya Wacana Christianity University in Salatiga. While there, they were accompanied by HIU alums, Regina Wijayanti '23, Luthfi Rahman '15, and Ph.D. candidate Muhammad Afdillah. The last stop in Yogyakarta was at the Mahathir Global Peace School of Muhammadiyah University to meet
with researcher and scholar Dr. Hasse Jubba.
The Graftons then traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, first visiting Jakarta Theological Seminary, a Christian institution, meeting with the rector, the seminary’s top official, and faculty members. Next, they traveled to PTIQ (Quranic Sciences University), where Dr. Grafton gave a lecture about HIU and also met with students who had attended HIU short course programs through the Istiqlal Mosque Ulama Cadre Education program (PKUMI) in '23 and '24. This was followed by meetings with leaders of the University of Darunnajah and a meal with HIU MAP alum Imbran Bonde '22.
On Feb. 19 President Lohr joined the Graftons. Their first stop together was the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, the third largest mosque in the world in a country that holds the largest Muslim population in the world. Later that day, President Lohr and the Graftons met with Jusuf Kalla, former Vice President of Indonesia; Dr. Hafid Abbas, Chairman of the National
Commission of Human Rights and professor of education at State University of Jakarta, Indonesia; and Dr. Alwi Shihab, a former HIU Trustee, a leading authority on Christian-Muslim relations, and a former special envoy to Middle-East for Indonesia, among his many roles with the Indonesian government.
Their tour of the Istiqlal Mosque included Dr. Gugun Gumilar '14. Dr. Gumilar is now Special Staff of the Minister of Religious Affairs for Religious Harmony, Monitoring, and Foreign Cooperation, working closely with Imam Nasaruddin Umar. Later, the group had the honor of dining at Imam Nasaruddin's home, discussing peace, interfaith relations, and the continuation of the short course programs in Hartford for PKUMI and PTIQ University scholars.
The next day, the group had breakfast with alum Jacky Manuputty '11, an internationally recognized peace advocate and interfaith leader who holds an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from HIU. He is the new head of the
Imam Nasaruddin Umar to Receive Honorary Doctorate
Dr. Nasaruddin Umar will travel to the United States this spring to receive an honorary doctorate from HIU. Dr. Umar, who has a close connection to HIU, is the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, the third-largest mosque in the world. A distinguished scholar, educator, and public intellectual, he is also the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia and the Rector of PTIQ University in Jakarta. In nominating Dr. Umar for this honor, Dr. Alwi Shihab, a former HIU Trustee, cited his commitment to “social justice, particularly gender justice” and his efforts to “promote peace through religious scholarship and interfaith dialogue.”
The award will be conferred at graduation on Thursday, May 15.
Communion of Churches in Indonesia. A meeting was also held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office with Professor Kamaruddin Amin (Secretary General) and Professor Arskal Salim, Secretary of the Directorate General of Islamic Education.
The Graftons and President Lohr, together and independently, proceeded to meet with many other leaders, including those from the Imam Bonjol State Islamic University, the Nahdlatul Ulama, the Leimena Institute, and Jakarta’s Institute of Democracy and Education. A special highlight of the trip was a visit to the Indonesian Islamic International University (UIII) campus, which included the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This MOU underscores the academic ties between the two institutions and looks to strengthen the partnership.
“Many scholars affiliated with HIU have made significant contributions that are of great interest to Indonesian scholars and beyond,” said Dr. Saiful Umam, Director of Research and International Collaborations at UIII.
The MOU will "facilitate joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative events that strengthen the shared mission of excellence and interreligious understanding."
In an interview published on UIII's website, President Lohr spoke about this connection with Indonesia and its special relationship with HIU.
"Indonesia is a very important country," he noted. "It is not only home to the largest Muslim population but also a vibrant multi-religious society. ... I love this country — not just for the warmth and sincerity of its people but also for the intellectual depth of its scholars."
MARCH 21ST, 2025, STUDENTS AT HIU PARTICIPATED IN IFTAR/SHABBAT GATHERING THAT UNITED PEOPLE OF DIVERSE CULTURES, FAITHS, AND AGES.
THE SPACE WAS ALIVE WITH PRAYER, MUSIC, SHARED WISDOM, AND HEARTFELT DISCUSSIONS.
CAMPUS LIFE & NEWS AT HIU
DR. LUCINDA MOSHER NAMED
PRESIDENT AT THE ASSOCIATION FOR INTERRELIGIOUS/ INTERFAITH STUDIES
In November 2024, Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Director of the MA in Interreligious Studies and a leading voice in interfaith scholarship, was appointed President of the Association for Interreligious/Interfaith Studies (AIIS).
Founded at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) annual meeting in Boston in 2017, AIIS is dedicated to establishing interreligious and interfaith studies as a distinct interdisciplinary field. In her leadership role, Dr. Mosher spearheaded the crafting and adoption of the association’s mission and vision statements.
In a lighthearted ceremony at the organization's annual meeting in San Diego, the passing of the torch was represented by a green flashlight. “It was a lovely moment,” Dr. Mosher said.
As a growing organization, AIIS seeks to promote collaboration and scholarship that address pressing interreligious and interfaith issues, fostering a stronger understanding of pluralistic societies while contributing to the public good.
DR. AMY-JILL
LEVINE’S
LECTURE TOUR
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, has had an extraordinary 2024, delivering more than 30 thought-provoking lectures.
She traveled across Australia, the United States, Germany, England, and New Zealand, while also reaching audiences in Poland and South Africa via Zoom. From discussing The WomenWhoWalkedwithJesusin Sydney to presenting Jesus forEveryone,NotJustChristians , via Zoom in South Africa and exploring Hearing the Parables of Jesus as Jewish Stories in Connecticut, Dr. Levine continues to critically question the historical and cultural contexts of sacred texts to foster interfaith understanding worldwide.
DR. BILAL ANSARI TO SPEAK ON MUSLIM CHAPLAINCY IN SWITZERLAND
From June 24 to 26, 2025, Dr. Bilal Ansari, HIU’s Director of Islamic Chaplaincy, will speak at a conference on “Muslim Chaplaincy: Practice, Research, and Recognition" in Fribourg, Switzerland. The University of Fribourg is organizing the event in collaboration with Cardiff University.
The growing involvement of Muslims in chaplaincy roles worldwide has given rise to an emerging field of study: Muslim Chaplaincy. While the specific challenges faced by Muslim chaplains may vary depending on their individual contexts, they often encounter shared issues in the process of building and advancing their careers.
This event aims to convene leading practitioners and researchers in Muslim Chaplaincy Studies, fostering dialogue at the interface of research and reflective practice. This gathering offers a platform to discuss current topics and develop perspectives for advancing the field of Muslim Chaplaincy while building on the foundational work of scholars such as Dr. Ansari, a distinguished scholar-practitioner in the field of Prison Ministry who highlights the critical role of chaplaincy in fostering spiritual care, interreligious dialogue, and social justice.
HIU HOSTS FIRST INTERNATIONAL GHADIR CONFERENCE
On June 23 and 24, 2024, Hartford International University welcomed Muslim Shi'a scholars and artists from around the world to Connecticut for the first-ever International Ghadir Conference on Shi'a Studies.
The conference provided a venue for discussing state-of-the field research in Islamic studies with a focus on "The Life, Times, and Works of Bahā al-Dīn Muḥammad al-Āmilī: An Early Modern Muslim Polymath."
Dr. Hossein Kamaly, Imam Ali Chair of Shi’a Studies & Dialogue Among Muslim Schools of Thought, organized the conference and gave a welcome address. He described Bahā al-Dīn Muḥammad al-Āmilī: as a "person of great learning" and a "light of his time" who wrote 123 works on topics as wide-ranging as poetry and astronomy.
The conference also featured an art exhibit,Tazhīb, by artist Behnaz Karjoo and a musical performance by Dr. Amirhossein Pourjavady.
"I am grateful to HIU, as well as all our guests -- scholars, artists, and the audience," Dr. Kamaly said.
HIRR AT THE CENTER OF COVID RELIGION RESEARCH AND BEYOND
In 2024 alone, researchers at HIU’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR) were cited by the media 459 times in connection with the institute’s ongoing study titled Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations: Innovation Amidst and Beyond COVID-19 (EPIC).
That same year, EPIC released six full-length research reports and five short-read reports highlighting key areas such as financial resilience, mental health initiatives, and the evolving role of faith communities in social support. Researchers didn’t just publish findings, they actively engaged in conferences, webinars, and public discussions, ensuring their insights reached both religious leaders and the wider public.
Beyond the EPIC project, HIRR expanded its research focus in 2024 with a groundbreaking “attender” survey, collecting 25,000 responses from individuals across the U.S. Unlike previous studies centered on congregational leadership, this survey explores how people engage with worship—whether in person or online, attendance at multiple congregations, and broader trends in religious participation. Analysis of this data is currently underway.
HIRR scholars are also shaping long-term research efforts. Dr. Allison Norton and Dr. Charissa Mikoski are part of a committee organizing the 2030 U.S. Religion Census. Part of their work involves seeking to ensure that underrepresented religious groups, such as storefront churches, are accurately included in national religious data.
HIRR’s commitment to supporting religious leaders continues through its Pastoral Innovation Network of New England (PINNE), which launched its third cohort in January 2025. PINNE serves as a collaborative space where faith leaders share innovative ideas and support each other through the evolving challenges of ministry. It has also become a valuable resource for identifying potential Doctor of Ministry candidates.
DR. ALLISON NORTON ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MIGRATION STUDIES AND CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
DR. CHARISSA MIKOSKI VISITING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF RESEARCH
DR. LISA DAHILL EXPLORES THE LEGACY OF DIETRICH BONHOEFFER IN SYDNEY
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Dahill, Director of the Center for Transformative Spirituality at HIU, was a keynote speaker at the XIV International Bonhoeffer Congress, held in 2024 in Sydney, Australia. Her address was titled “One Reality: Bonhoeffer, Non-Dualism, and Membraned Divine Ecologies.”
The congress brought together scholars, students, Christians, and activists from around the globe to explore the enduring legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Themed “Crisis and Hope: Reading Bonhoeffer for Today,” the congress delved into how Bonhoeffer’s theological insights and resistance to oppressive regimes resonate in addressing contemporary global challenges. Sessions and keynote addresses examined topics such as the ethics of resistance, interfaith dialogue, the role of the church in public life, and the relevance of Bonhoeffer’s work in the face of social, political, and ecological crises.
Participants included renowned Bonhoeffer scholars, emerging theologians, and practitioners deeply engaged with Bonhoeffer’s ideas in ministry and activism. The congress offered a diverse program that featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and opportunities for networking and collaboration.
In addition, it highlighted new research and publications on Bonhoeffer, fostering a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives. The event underscored the ongoing relevance of Bonhoeffer’s thought in inspiring faith-based responses to the crises of our modern world.
NEW FACULTY & STAFF
BEATRICE FEVRY STATHERS
Beatrice Fevry Stathers, HIU’s inaugural Vice President of Business and Finance, has an extensive background in higher education and over 15 years of experience in financial executive positions. She has a Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Connecticut, a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University, and an Associate Degree in Accounting from Tunxis Community College. With a multicultural background that includes speaking seven languages and interacting with diverse populations, Beatrice is a wonderful addition to HIU.
CHARLI KLEIN
Charli Klein is HIU’s new Assistant Director of Admissions. They earned an Associate Degree in English from Northwestern CT Community College. While there, they worked in the Admissions and Enrollment Services office and served as chapter president of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
Kalia Kellogg, Director of Recruitment and Enrollment Management, worked with Charli at Northwestern Community College. “Charli was an exceptional colleague whose dedication and organization was a critical piece in helping us navigate the transition back from fully remote work,” Kalia said. “I know that Charli will bring those skills to HIU and be a wonderful presence on our campus.”
FACULTY BOOKS
MUHAMMAD IN THE SEMINARY: PROTESTANT TEACHING ABOUT ISLAM IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations
Providing an in-depth look at the information about Islam that was available in seminaries throughout the nineteenth century, Muhammad in the Seminary examines what Protestant seminaries were teaching about this tradition in the formative years of pastoral education. In charting how American Christian leaders’ ideas about Islam were shaped by their seminary experiences, this volume offers new insight into American religious history and the study of Christian-Muslim relations.
— NYU Press
BLESSINGS FOR YOUR STUDENTS: PRAYERS FOR INTERFAITH COMMUNITIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Rev. Dr. Janet E. Fuller Faculty Associate
Resourcing 40 years as a university chaplain, Dr. Fuller wrote a collection of prayers that address the diverse spiritual needs of interfaith communities. It is a resource for chaplains to find support for all the essential student struggles, including new beginnings, athletics, loneliness, and the search for hope.
Besides academic communities, the book can be adapted for chaplain use in hospitals, prisons, continuous care retirement communities, military gatherings, and many others.
— Church Publishing
TAWĀTUR IN ISLAMIC THOUGHT: TRANSMISSION, CERTITUDE AND ORTHODOXY
By Dr. Suheil Laher Faculty Associate in Qur’anic Studies
The book traces the development of tawatur theories and explores their role in defining Islamic orthodoxy. Tawatur is the concept that information yields certainty if acquired through a sufficient number of independent channels. Tawatur in Islamic Thought is an attempt to unravel the twisted historical threads of the conception and usage of tawatur across diverse Islamic disciplines, in light of both Western academia and debates within Muslim scholarship.
— Edinburgh University Press
FALLING IN LOVE WITH EARTH: ECOLOGICAL INITIATIVES AT HIU
BY DR. LISA DAHILL
From its roots as a Christian seminary, Hartford International University has, over time, opened its doors to students of other traditions and backgrounds, creating an atmosphere that encourages interreligious interaction and peacebuilding. This creative and forward-thinking spirit remains as Hartford International University for Religion and Peace again sees a profound need in the world – this time for deepening human connection with the more-than-human world – and is introducing a series of new programs in religion and ecology.
It's hard to deny the need for such programs. Human wellbeing depends on sustained connection with the natural world, and study after study shows the range of deleterious effects on children and adults – from distraction, anxiety, and mental illness to eruptions of violence and rage – when such connection is absent. When buildings, cars, phones, and screens of all kinds replace meadows, creeks, trees, and the seasons as the “holders” of our psychic and emotional lives, humans suffer profoundly.
At the same time, the world itself suffers from this neglect, bulldozed and paved over, strip-mined and chopped down to create our human-dominant world in which the wildness of creatures and waters dies, mostly outside our view. We are coming to recognize the ways this destruction parallels the social and human problems our extractive economy also produces – and to realize that the healing our world, our societies, and our psyches need is all of a piece. We need to re-knit our relational and spiritual connections to place and its creatures and elements, as central dimensions of the religious traditions that orient our lives and our place in the cosmos, as part of these religions’ calls to love and justice.
We are coming to see that peace, justice, and the flourishing of creation are utterly inseparable from one another; we are
expanding the “inter-” nature of HIU’s identity to include interspecies as well.
How shall chaplains minister to young people carrying devastating levels of climate anxiety for their future – or elders numb with grief or guilt at the world they are passing on to their grandchildren? How shall any of us learn to transmute the ecological dread we all carry, consciously or unconsciously, into creative new forms of religious practice and community that cultivate listening and care for creatures of all kinds? How can we learn to experience such care of the world within a profound reciprocity of love and gratitude that nourishes and mends our own hearts in turn? What forms of advocacy, presence, and ritual – indeed, new forms of religious leadership as yet unvisioned – does the living world most need? And what better place than HIU to allow these questions to germinate?
In 2023, HIU initiated a Graduate Certificate in Eco-Spirituality, a twelve-credit program; its first graduate completed the program in December 2024. In Fall 2024, our revitalized Doctor of Ministry program began, including a specialization in Religion and Ecology: Leadership for Life on Earth. And in Fall 2025, we are initiating new ecological specializations on the master’s level. HIU’s Master of Arts in Chaplaincy (MAC) will now include a specialization in Ecological Leadership for Chaplains, and the Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies (MAIRS) will have a specialization in Ecology and Religion. Both of these tracks will include coursework in ecological spirituality, eco-chaplaincy, and environmental ethics, and they will also feature fieldwork in ecological contexts (MAC) and a capstone project in ecological study (MAIRS).
These programs meet a growing need for theologically rich and scientifically grounded interreligious training in the ecological/spiritual needs of our time, in relation to radically destabilizing climate systems and uncertain prospects for the human future. We urgently need religious leaders trained in addressing these impacts and inviting humans of all ages and backgrounds into restorative forms of renewed kinship and love with Earth’s creatures, lands, and waters, toward creative new ways of being human on Earth: the newest phase of HIU’s transformative vision.
Dr. Lisa Dahill is the Miriam Therese Winter Chair for Transformative Leadership and Spirituality and Director of the Center for Transformative Spirituality.
FOR MORE
ON HIU'S ECOLOGICAL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES SCAN THE QR CODE
MAP CLASS ’24-’25
Students from a variety of countries are spending 2024-25 on campus in our one-year, residential MA in International Peacebuilding (MAP) led by Phoebe Milliken. While here, the students develop interreligious literacy and acquire constructive conflict intervention skills through a combination of service-learning, traditional courses, experiential courses, and project-based learning.
ABDULLAHI JALLOH
Country of origin: Sierra Leone
Religious identity: Muslim
DEREJE EFFA
Country of origin: Ethiopia
Religious identity: Christian
THEOPHILUS TETTEY
Country of origin: Ghana
Religious identity: Christian
JUSTINE AUMA
Country of origin: Uganda
Religious identity: Christian
HINA KHAN
Country of origin: Pakistan
Religious identity: Muslim
GETU GEBETO
Country of origin: Ethiopia
Religious identity: Christian
MASRIANY SIHITE
Country of origin: Indonesia
Religious identity: Christian
HANNAH BELSKY
Country of origin: USA
Religious identity: Jewish
BALQIS MOUSSA
Country of origin: Tunisia
Religious identity: Muslim
JANET QUANSAH
Country of origin: Ghana
Religious identity: Muslim
DR. JANET FULLER RECIEVES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Rev. Dr. Janet Fuller, Co-Director of HIU's MA in Chaplaincy, was honored in February with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Chaplaincy and Spiritual Life in Higher Education (ACSLHE - pronounced "axle").
The award is given to an ACSLHE institutional member with 15+ years of significant leadership and contributions on college/university campuses. It was presented at a conference in Washington, DC.
Dr. Fuller has served as a chaplain at higher education institutions for 40 years, one of the longest serving higher ed chaplains in the nation.
"She has been described as an icon in the field of chaplaincy," said Nathan Albert, University Chaplain and Vice President of the University of Lynchberg, who presented the award. "She is revered, deeply respected, and understood to be a true pioneer in multifaith chaplaincy."
In accepting the award, Dr. Fuller said, "I've only ever wanted to be a university chaplain. I love students. I love the developmental moment they are in. I love teaching chaplains at Hartford International University now."
DR. WALTER EARL FLUKER AWARDED HONORARY DEGREE FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY
The Rev. Dr. Walter Earl Fluker, Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Boston University in 2024.
Dr. Fluker is a BU graduate (1988) and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership at Boston University, as well as the editor of the Howard Thurman Papers Project.
In its tribute to Dr. Fluker, Boston University called him “a well-known figure in the theory and practice of ethical leadership” as well as “a sought-after consultant, speaker, and workshop leader.”
DR. LUCINDA MOSHER BOOK WINS 1ST PLACE AWARD IN INTERFAITH RELATIONS
With the Best of Intentions: Interreligious Misteps and Mistakes, co-edited by The Rev. Dr. Lucinda Mosher, Director of HIU’s Master of Arts in Interreligious Studies program, along with Elinor J. Pierce and Dr. Or N. Rose, received a First Place Award in the category of Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations from the Catholic Media Association (CMA).
The CMA Book Awards “recognizes and rewards outstanding works that resonate with Catholic values, promote faith, and inspire reflection and understanding.”
With the Best of Intentions is a collection of stories by thirty-four scholars and activists about slip-ups and outright failures of interfaith encounters. The book includes a critical analysis of why the interactions went wrong. Among the contributors are three members of the HIU faculty, Dr. David D. Grafton, Aida Mansoor, and Dr. Bilal Ansari, and two HIU alums, Dr. Nisa Muhammad and Dr. Preeta M. Banerjee.
STEVEN HAVIRA NAMED HARTFORD BUSINESS JOURNAL'S CHIEF
CREATIVE OFFICER OF THE
YEAR
As HIU's Chief Creative Officer, Steven Havira has won dozens of awards for his design and video work, but this latest accolade is for his excellence in "creating branding and marketing strategies that amplify the university's mission globally."
Steve is one of 15 leaders in the Greater Hartford area recognized by a panel of independent judges. The winners were honored during an event on Oct. 10, 2024, in Farmington, CT.
Leaders were selected because they "stood out for their commitment to excellence to various stakeholders, including investors, employees, and the broader community."
In an article in HBJ's Sept. 2 edition, Steve is celebrated for ensuring "consistent brand messaging across all platforms, designing print publications and marketing materials, and working across university departments to develop cohesive communication strategies."
ALUM ELECTED PRESIDENT OF NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION USA (NBCUSA)
The Rev. Dr. Boise Kimber, a prominent figure in the National Baptist Convention USA (NBCUSA), was elected in fall 2024 as its President, a role that positions him at the head of the largest Black Protestant denomination in the world. A 1997 graduate of Hartford Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Kimber also serves as the senior pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church in New Haven, CT.
The convention has played a leading role on issues such as civil rights, criminal justice, and housing, and has contributed significantly to voter rights efforts.
Reflecting on his journey, the Rev. Dr. Kimber shared his deep roots in the ministry, which began at age 15 when he started preaching in Opelika, AL.
“None of my parents have ever preached. I’m the only preacher in the family on both sides,” he said, adding that he has been a member of the NBCUSA since 1977 and has held various leadership positions within the convention.
The Rev. Dr. Kimber ran for president once before, in 2014, where he finished second, but this time, he secured the posi-
tion with 69 percent of the vote. “The largest percentage of anyone running for president,” he said.
He emphasized the significance of Christian education as a key part of his platform.
“Our convention was started in 1895, on mission and evangelism,” he said. “You cannot do mission and evangelism unless you are doing Christian education.”
Rev. Dr. Kimber believes it is important to teach and train members in the church’s doctrines and traditions, reflecting his vision for the future of the NBCUSA under his leadership.
One of the Rev. Dr. Kimber’s immediate priorities is to go on a national “listening tour” as he aims to unify the convention and ensure that each congregation can thrive.
For aspiring leaders, he offered advice rooted in perseverance: “Be faithful, become a student of your own environment. It took me almost 40 years to become president, but I stayed with it.”
UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD, HIU PARTNER ON PROGRAM ABOUT ISRAEL/ PALESTINE
Students and staff pose with President Joel N. Lohr after the final session of a University of Hartford Presidents’ College series developed in partnership with HIU. Students, staff, alums, and faculty members attended four sessions on the topic “Pathways to Peace? Palestine and Israel.” This challenging and well-attended program involved several HIU faculty members, and President Lohr moderated the final session on “The Future: Can We Hold Open a Space for Peace?”
PEACEBUILDING ALUM FIGHTS POVERTY IN NIGERIA
The non-profit Muna-Tare Empowerment Center, founded by MA in international Peacebuilding alum Dogara Simon Danbaba ‘22, has significantly impacted communities in Kaduna, Nigeria, since its founding in 2023. The center distributes motorbikes under a “lease-to-own” program to people in need, enabling employment and educational opportunities for the youth in the community.
Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023, Muna-Tare Empowerment Center formed a strategic partnership with TeamUP, a U.S.-based non-profit dedicated to helping humanitarian projects in Africa.
The organization has benefitted from $75,000 from a group of American donors. To show gratitude, Dogara made sure each motorbike carried the name of a donor.
In the first quarter of 2024, the center officially launched in Kaduna, purchasing and renovating a 10,000-square-foot building between a Muslim and Christian community in northeast Kaduna. This strategic location leads the beneficiaries to cultivate interfaith relations.
The organization expanded by hiring four staff members, raising an additional $2,500, and purchasing one additional motorbike weekly. This growth was made
possible by a weekly revenue collection program, paired with a record of very low delinquencies in payment. Media outlets have approached Dogara, which has brought much-needed visibility to the cause.
Building on the initiative’s success in the second quarter of 2024, Dogara launched a Woman Empowerment Program that provided four grain grinders on a lease-to-own basis. This effort aims at helping women generate income by producing and selling flour.
In the agricultural sector, the center launched a Fertilizer and Grains Exchange Program, “To date, we have empowered over 30 farmers in the last seven months, helping them increase crop yields and improve their livelihoods,” Dogara said.
So far, the center has positively impacted over 120 lives, leased out 86 motorbikes, and, despite the current challenges in the Nigerian economy, achieved a 95 percent payment collection rate.
Looking forward, the Muna-Tare Empowerment Center aims to expand its motorbike program, develop new initiatives such as micro-lending, and explore the possibility of using vacant space for a bakery.
MAP ALUM SPEAKS AT UNITED NATIONS AS AN ARTIST FOR SOCIAL GOOD
Among other engagements at the United Nations, MA in International Peacebuilding alum Amar Al Moussawy '24 spoke at an event titled “Visions for Sustainable and YouthLed Peace Ahead of the Peacebuilding Architecture Review 2025.”
Amar first spoke as an “Artist for the Social Good” and second as a member of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations in the “High-Level Political Forum.”
Focusing on firsthand experiences with local peacebuilders and youth activists, Amar stressed the importance of involving the people of unstable and conflicted areas, such as Lebanon and the Middle East, in decision-making processes instead of bringing pre-established agendas. “I especially focused on funding dilemmas and how sponsors force a certain theme on local youth, whereas their real needs don’t always match,” Amar said.
When the most recent Israel-Palestine conflict began, Amar said she cried all night after watching a video of a Palestinian child trembling in fear. “I asked God to show me how he helps these people because we are trying to call for a permanent ceasefire, but we can’t stop it ourselves,” Amar said.
“The next day, the first thing that came to my screen was this kid happy and playing. I felt God was saying, 'I’m here.' The child had been taken to a shelter where he received humanitarian care.
Amar, a portrait artist, was inspired by the story and drew the child’s “joyful expression.” With the drawing in her hands, Amar spoke at the UN about the importance of art and creativity in calling for peace and justice. Amar said the story resonated with the audience, who wanted to know more about "artivism." Many expressed that she effectively represented the needs of peacebuilders, giving them a voice. This rewarding experience encourages Amar to keep her voice up.
“I would like to thank Marina Kumskova, the Senior UN Policy and Advocacy Advisor, for helping me shape the statement and for her overall incredible support,” Amar said. “And, of course, I would like to thank HIU for the incredible experience and knowledge it gave me in peacebuilding throughout the previous year.”
DR. JOSHUA SALAAM ’20 AND DR. BILAL ANSARI ’10 SPEAK ON ISLAMOPHOBIA AND SUBSTANCE USE
Dr. Joshua Salaam '20, Chaplain and Director of Muslim Life at Duke University, and Dr. Bilal Ansari '10, Director of HIU’s Islamic Chaplaincy Program, presented and responded in 2024 at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, D.C., on “The Impacts of Islamophobia and Substance Use Disorder on Muslim Communities.”
The initiative was organized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships (Partnership Center). It aimed to explore the most effective ways to address the impact of trauma experienced by communities affected by acts of hate and violence, with a focus on substance use disorder (SUD).
The speakers included Muslim scholars, directors of organizations, psychiatrists, imams, chaplains, doctors, psychologists, and social workers.
Dr. Salaam spoke on “Understanding the Experience of Islamophobia and Substance Use Disorders in Muslim Communities.”
Dr. Ansari was in the reactor panel of presentations made on the following questions: How can we effectively incorporate cultural and religious sensitivities when developing strategies to address the effects of Islamophobia on substance use disorders (SUDs) within Muslim communities? What are the unique challenges faced by Muslim communities in accessing mental health and substance use disorder services, and how can these barriers be overcome?
HEATHER BRUBAKER ’25 DISCOVERS THE POWER OF MUSIC IN SPIRITUAL CARE
Chaplaincy alum Heather Brubaker '25 has been a singer and performer most of her life, but at HIU, she explored the role singing played in her spirituality and practice of Judaism. In Dr. Lisa Dahill's Contemplative Prayer Practice class, she studied embodied prayer practices, including music chanting. Reflecting on her experience, she said, "I had a strong sense that music was going to be an important tool for me as an interfaith chaplain." Later, through her field work at Brattleboro Area Hospice, a community-based non-medical hospice that supports the ill, dying, and bereaved, she discovered Hallowell, a choir dedicated to singing for the sick and dying.
This year, she had her first unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, where she integrated singing into her ministry to patients in the MICU and their relatives. “I had to learn early on how to accompany patients who weren't able to talk or sometimes even acknowledge me,” she said. "Music speaks to such deep places in us; it reaches part of us beyond language, moves through our bodies." At the hospital, she hopes the music offers a moment of beauty and respite to anyone nearby, whether it's medical staff, someone cleaning a room, or the patient next door.
Osman Simsek '24, an MA in Islamic Chaplaincy alum, was recently hired as the Director of Muslim Life at Trinity College in Hartford.
His journey toward becoming a Muslim chaplain began with the unsettling images of doctors and nurses fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moved by their determination to help others despite facing death, Osman asked himself how he could contribute to society.
As a devout Muslim, he reflected on a teaching by the Prophet Muhammad: “All creatures are [like] a family of God: and He loves most those who are kindest to His family.” Osman had extensive education in the Islamic tradition but wanted to adapt it to American pluralism. When he became aware of the field of chaplaincy, which provides spiritual care in secular settings, he decided it was the right path. He now blends his traditional Islamic knowledge with a modern understanding of spiritual care.
Osman enrolled at Hartford International University and experienced an in-depth interreligious education.
“I had the privilege of benefiting from very valuable educators, especially Dr. Bilal Ansari, Dr. Lucinda Mosher,
TRINITY COLLEGE HIRES RECENT GRADUATE AS DIRECTOR OF MUSLIM LIFE
Dr. Janet Fuller, Dr. Hooman Keshavarzi, Dr. Timur Yuskaev, and Aida Mansoor. Dr. Bilal, who was my advisor, taught me in three different courses, and I gained significant insights into Islamic Chaplaincy from him. Dr. Mosher’s courses, especially her doctoral thesis ... truly expanded my horizons,” Osman said.
“Dr. Janet Fuller not only enriched my learning through her excellent courses and the distinguished guest speakers she invited, but she also continued to provide guidance after my graduation. Additionally, Aida Mansoor’s Field Education courses offered invaluable hands-on experience in chaplaincy, allowing me to grow both professionally and personally. Throughout the Master’s program, I also formed meaningful friendships and learned a great deal from my classmates.”
His time at the university was transformative. Osman remembers fondly how it felt like a close-knit family. One profound memory was reading Dr. Lucinda Mosher’s dissertation, which explored death prayers in both Christian and Muslim traditions. This unexpected connection moved him deeply, further reinforcing the university’s inclusive and pluralistic environment.
After completing Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) courses, he applied to get board certified. For this, Osman had to write essays that demonstrated his understanding of the 29 core competencies required for professional chaplaincy. His application was accepted. Osman said that the certifying organization members admired how beautifully he reflected on each competency; they asked how he did it. “It’s because of Hartford International University,” Osman answered, grateful for how well-prepared he felt.
As the Muslim chaplain at Trinity College, Osman continues to bridge divides. For Osman, even the simplest interactions, like sharing a meal or exchanging greetings, are opportunities for interfaith connection.
INTERFAITH ALLIANCE BRINGS ON MAGGIE SIDDIQI '16 TO BROADEN CONNECTIONS
Maggie Siddiqi '16 launched her consultancy practice in January of this year with the Interfaith Alliance as her inaugural client.
Led by the Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, the alliance “is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all.”
Appointed as a Senior Fellow, Maggie will lead a new body of work, deepening and broadening partnerships across the American religious organizational landscape.
Maggie considers her MA in Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations and Graduate Certificate in Islamic Chaplaincy degrees from HIU pivotal in her career and formation as a faith-based advocate for social change. “Many courses helped me learn a lot about faith-based engagement in the public square, including on matters of public policy, and also understanding community dynamics and how to apply that specifically to my community,” she said.
Her call to advocacy is rooted in her Baptist upbringing. “My parents raised me with this idea that all of the policy issues we cared about were an expression of our faith,” she said. “We were taught to care for the poor, that we should advocate for social services for the poor; that because we were taught to wage peace, for example, we should march in the streets when the war in Iraq was starting.”
When Maggie started her BA in Religion at Wesleyan University, she was one of those justice-oriented kids. That expression of her faith remained just as important to her after her conversion to Islam during her sophomore year.
In one of those college years, when she interned on Capitol Hill for a member of Congress, Maggie discovered something important. “There were thousands, if not millions, of people just like me, all across the country, who are also motivated by their faiths to engage in activism to make the world a better place.” She would return to her religion classes and realize she could influence public policy to challenge injustices through a faith-based lens. “That was it for me.”
Later, under the Biden Administration, Maggie served as senior adviser to the U.S. Secretary of Education on religious freedom issues, including antisemitism, Islamophobia, and the separation of church and state. She also implemented the U.S. Department of Education's efforts on these issues and reported to the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Before that, she was Senior Director of the Religion and Faith team at the Center for American Progress, where she designed and implemented its policy agenda on religious freedom, including all related research, policy analysis, advocacy, and communications. She also served as Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives at the El-Hibri Foundation, a $60M private foundation. In this role, she supported the foundation's strategic shift to focus on domestic efforts advancing the inclusion of American Muslim communities.
With an impressive background in political strategy, public relations, strategic planning, and nonprofit management for diverse faith communities, Maggie has positioned herself as a respected leader in the interfaith movement.
IN MEMORIAM
DR. YAHYA MICHOT
Dr. Yahya Michot, 73, served as Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations from 2008 until 2018. Upon his retirement, he was given the title of Emeritus Professor of Islamic Thought and Christian-Muslim Relations. Only a select number of professors hold that distinction.
Dr. Michot also served as a co-editor of The Muslim World journal, which was founded in 1911 and has been Dr. Yahya Michot Faculty Emeritus edited at Hartford Seminary since 1938. The journal, which reaches subscribers in 65 countries, is dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of scholarly research on Islam and Muslim societies and on historical and current aspects of Christian-Muslim relations.
While at HIU, Dr. Michot became interested in two particular aspects of the institution: its special collection of Arabian Nights manuscripts and the pioneering professor, Duncan Black Macdonald, who collected many of them. The Macdonald Center for Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations is named after Duncan Black Macdonald, who taught at then Hartford Theological Seminary from 1892 to 1942. Dr. Michot's lectures on both subjects were universally praised and well-attended.
Many students, alums, and faculty members had the pleasure of visiting Dr. Michot and his wife Louise in their home for meals, conversation, poetry and camaraderie.
HIU President Joel N. Lohr had warm memories of Dr. Michot.
"Professor Michot was not only a model scholar and teacher, who pushed his students to excellence, but he was also someone who made us think, smile, and laugh, as so many did around dinner table and classroom alike," he said. "The world mourns today for a man who gave much to the academy, to the world, and especially to Hartford. May he not be forgotten. And may God uphold his family, especially Louise."
Dr. Michot has published numerous books and articles about Islamic classical thought, drugs in Muslim societies, and Islam in the West. Dr. David D. Grafton, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations, said Dr. Michot was a "gift to us all."
"Yahya was an incredible colleague and a wonderful friend," he said. "I cherish the memories of gathering with students at his and Louise's house for food and fellowship. His home was as much his classroom as his favorite room in the Budd Building, where I often heard him wax eloquent about Islamic coins and calligraphy."
Dr. Michot is survived by his wife Louise, his children, Khalil and Aysha, his son-in-law Johnson and his grandson Malik.
ANNE RAPKIN ‘16
Anne Rapkin, 74, was a lawyer who became a chaplain in later life. Anne graduated in 2016 with a Master of Arts in Religious Studies with a focus in Scriptural Studies and continued to take courses at Hartford International University as an auditor. Anne worked as a chaplain at the Hebrew Home and Hospital in West Hartford, CT. She described her job this way: “Sometimes someone just needs a little companionship. Sometimes someone needs to talk about their relationship with God. Sometimes they want someone to pray with.”
Anne knew and understood suffering and she made it her task to ease the suffering of others in everything she did. Anne practiced environmental law. She then practiced asylum law, helping clients in danger from all over the world, and also trained to be a hospital chaplain. Her main activity
since 2018 was co-chair of the Refugee Resettlement effort at Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford, which attracted team members from other churches, mosques, and synagogues. Anne was enrolled as an auditor in Dr. David D. Grafton’s 2024 class “Interrogating Abraham: Examining Intersections between Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.”
“Anne was an important part of our class community,” Dr. Grafton said. “She was always self-reflective and intuitive in her comments. Our first class together without her was hard and disorienting. One of her classmates, who sat next to her, came in and made sure no one sat in that seat, ‘That is Anne’s place,’ he said. There will always be a place for her. Even in death our students show respect and care for one another.”
THE REV. CHARLES (CHUCK)
BABOIAN, 94, earned his Master of Sacred Theology degree from then Hartford Theological Seminary in 1955. An ordained United Church of Christ pastor for 63-plus years, he served churches in North Pownal and Pownal, VT; Troy, NY; Waterbury, CT; and York, PA. In addition to supply preaching in area churches, Chuck volunteered two days a week, for 25 years, as a liaison in the Surgical Waiting Rooms at York Hospital.
THE REV. DR. ROBERT (BOB)
BERMUDES, 95, graduated with a Master of Divinity from then Hartford
Theological Seminary in 1955. Following his ordination at the First Congregational Church of Woburn, MA, Bob was called to be assistant minister of the First Congregational Church of Lorain, OH, where he met and married Sally Ruth Brown in 1956. In 1993, following 21 years as senior pastor of the Irondequoit United Church of Christ in Rochester, NY, he retired and was elected to be only the second Pastor Emeritus in the 100-year history of the church. In addition, during his Groton tenure, Bob became a Director of the Seaman's Friend Society, and founded the Inter-Faith Housing Corporation of New London, CT, which built 100 units of affordable housing.
THE REV. DR. PETER ROLF KALK
BRENNER, 80, earned a Master of Divinity from the then Hartford Seminary Foundation as well as a Doctor of Ministry from Chicago
Theological Seminary. At the age of five, Peter was fortunate to be adopted by an Air Force chaplain, Colonel Arthur E.K. Brenner, and his wife, Trudy, who brought him to America. Peter was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ for 50 years, touching lives across congregations in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Utah, and Michigan. The joy of his ministry could be felt when officiating weddings and offering the gift of being
present to those in need. Peter also faithfully served as a Navy Reserve Chaplain for 21 years, achieving the esteemed rank of Commander.
THE REV. FRANK ALLARD
BROOKS, 96, earned a Master of Divinity degree from then Hartford Seminary, graduating in 1953. In the second year of his program, he studied at Tübingen University in Germany as a World Council of Churches Exchange Student. He also did a year in the study of Philosophical Theology at Yale Divinity School. Ordained a Presbyterian minister at Memorial Presbyterian Church in Oxford, he was active in the ministry of what is now the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for almost 40 years.
THE REV. DAVID G. CHRISTENSEN JR., 82, earned a Master of Divinity from then Hartford Seminary. David was an avid reader and loved history and Native American studies. For many years, David served as a pastor for the United Church of Christ in Shelburne, Sunderland, and Southbridge, MA. He spent the last 15 years of his work as pastor at the First Congregational Church in Berlin, CT. He was very proud of the work he did as a pastor in Southbridge in helping those struggling with food insecurity. David, with the help of his wife, Carol, partnered with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in humanitarian efforts in Takla, in the Volta Region of Ghana, West Africa, for over 20 years.
DONALD ARTHUR GALL, 88, received a Master of Arts in Religious Education and a Master of Divinity from then Hartford Seminary in 1962. He was ordained to the ministry of the United Church of Christ and began serving the First Congregational Church in Whiting, IA, as their pastor and teacher.
F. HERBERT GRUENDEL, 77, studied Middle Eastern religions at then Hartford Seminary. Deeply committed to family law, he served as Chief Administrative Judge for the family division of the CT Superior Court. In 2005, he was appointed to the Appellate Court. Forever a learner, he made a pilgrimage to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, upon his retirement, to stand at the intersection of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths. While he held several graduate degrees, his most cherished was his certificate in theology from Hartford Seminary where he studied Middle Eastern religions. Judge Gruendel believed deeply that, in our turbulent times, we need many more young people who are able to disagree, argue their position, and resolve without anger and hate.
HELEN HAYNES, 84, of Hartford, CT, earned a degree in Theological Studies from then Hartford Seminary following an Associate Degree in Accounting at Hartford Community College. After two decades working as a hairdresser, Helen furthered her studies and worked for the City of Hartford as an accountant and retired in 1993 after many years of service.
S. EDWARD JETER, 87, was a corporator of Hartford Seminary. Ed was involved with both political and non-profit organizations. He served on the Avon Planning and Zoning Commission for seven years and as a Selectman for the Avon Town Council for 20 years. Ed also served in leadership roles with numerous non-profit boards.
CHAPLAIN PAUL KRAMPITZ, 65, received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Hartford Seminary in 2012. The Rev. Dr. Krampitz graduated from Yale Divinity School before attending what was then Hartford Seminary. He served congregations in Connecticut and Rhode Island, was a dean
of the Southern CT and Central CT Conferences, and served on the New England Synod Council and Candidacy Committee. Among other jobs and leadership positions, the Rev. Dr. Krampitz was a Connecticut State Police chaplain.
JOHN EDWARD KREITLE, 78, served as a Hartford Seminary corporator. John was an ensign in the U.S. Navy and a Vietnam War veteran. After his service was completed, he received his juris doctorate from the University of Wisconsin School of Law. John practiced as an attorney for 35 years. In addition, John was a former member of the Connecticut Bar Association and the Hartford County Bar Association and served as a Hartford Seminary corporator. John also served as the Connecticut Venture Group secretary (Hartford Chapter) and was president of the Connecticut Technology Council. He served on the Advisory Board in Hartford for The Entrepreneurship Institute and was an active member of the Glastonbury Historical Society.
REV. J. ALAN MCLEAN, 90, held several positions at Hartford Seminary with a commitment to social justice, compassion, and equality impacting our community and beyond. Alan earned his Master of Arts in Sacred Theology from what was then Hartford Seminary in 1970, and later served as a Trustee and professor at the university. Alan initially pursued a path in medicine, earning acceptance into Tufts University Medical School. However, a pivotal conversation with Amherst College Chaplain Thayer Green led him to enroll at Yale Divinity School instead, graduating in 1959.
THE HONORABLE THIRMAN L. MILNER, 91, was a graduate of the Black Ministries program at then Hartford Seminary. In 1981 Milner became the first popularly elected mayor of African American heritage
within the New England States, serving three terms. His community service began when he became a civil rights and community activist, during the 1950s and 60s, demonstrating and marching with the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Ambassador Andrew Young ’55, Wilber G. Smith, and many others. Before being elected mayor, he served as a State Representative. Several years after leaving the mayor's office he was elected as a State Senator and appointed to serve as an assistant majority leader in both the House and the Senate. Milner received numerous awards, citations, and tributes throughout his years of public, community, and civil rights service.
THOMAS F. MULLANEY, JR., 85, was a board member at then Hartford Seminary. After college he attended Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an ensign. After the Navy, Tom entered Northwestern University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and earned a Masters in economics. In 1977 he and his family moved to West Hartford and Tom where he worked in various positions at different banks. Tom was active in many Hartford area organizations.
SHARLENE PATRICIA MURPHY, 79, was employed with the United States Postal Service as well as the State of Connecticut, retiring after 27 years of collective service. After high school, Sharlene earned an associate's degree from Greater Hartford Community College. Later in life, she attended Hartford Seminary and was a Licensed Missionary. She spent a great deal of time in the local communities helping those with various life challenges. Whenever possible Sharlene enjoyed sewing, quilting and tag sales. She had a green thumb and found exceptional joy in gardening.
THE REV. RAY B. NYCE, 93, studied anthropology at the Hartford Seminary Foundation. Ray was ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran Church in 1956. This brought him to the country of Malaysia as a missionary in 1957, where he filled various roles as an evangelistic pastor, church president, and director of the Institute for the Study of Religions and Society. A man of many languages, Ray performed his missionary work in English, Chinese, and Malay. After returning to the United States in 1961, Ray took the position of the Director of Research in the Lutheran Church.
DANIEL T. PEACE SR., 71, graduated from then Hartford Seminary. In his early career, Daniel was a skilled carpenter, however, his life took a transformative turn when he was licensed to the Gospel Ministry in 1990 and ordained in 1995. Daniel dedicated his life to ministering to others through prison outreach, street ministry, and work with the homeless. Over three decades, he served as a minister, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, embracing many prophetic gifts. A devoted prayer warrior, he founded and maintained "The Prayer of the Day" ministry until his passing. Daniel served as an Associate Minister at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Hartford, CT, and as pastor of Sword of the Spirit Christian Church in East Hartford, CT.
JEROME ANTHONY WALKER, 62, earned an associate’s degree as well as other certificates from then Hartford Seminary. Jerome was an avid student of the Bible. After high school, Jerome attended the University of Connecticut where he studied computer science. He moved to Hartford and attended the Greater Hartford Community College and studied Religion at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Jerome initially worked for several security companies and changed his path to working with people with intellectual disabilities in the early 90s.
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REV. DR. ALVAN JOHNSON AN INHERITANCE THAT INSPIRED A LEGACY
HisretirementandBetty’spassing inspiredhimtopauseand,ashe consideredthelegacyhewanted toleave,hecontactedHIUto expresshisdesireandplansto leavealegacygifttoHIU.
For Rev. Dr. Alvan Johnson, entering the ministry was a calling and an inheritance. Every male member of his family was a minister in the AME Church: his grandfather, all his grandfather’s brothers, his father, and his father’s brothers. As the only male grandchild, young Alvan was very aware of the high expectations placed on him but during his formative years growing up in Boston, Alvan was drawn to everything but ministry. Looking back at his college years, Rev.
Johnson fondly recalls that while attending the University of Massachusetts in Boston for his undergraduate work, he met ministers who inspired and motivated him and helped him visualize the impact a minister can have on the community. The more he listened, the more he felt a renewed and enhanced pride in his family’s history in ministry. Through his conversations with ministers who were not family members, he began to recognize that following in the footsteps of
his father and grandfather was indeed his future – and his calling. Rev. Johnson completed his undergraduate training and then pursued his Master’s degree and Doctor of Ministry at Boston University’s School of Theology. His graduate education was briefly put on hold when his AME Bishop sent him on various missions, but by somehow juggling work and education, he completed his doctoral studies in 1981, as the recipient of BU’s first MLK Jr. Scholarship.
Rev. Johnson’s life was forever altered when his Bishop sent him to Hartford, with the mission to “build a church.” The year was 1978. By that time, Rev. Johnson was married to Betty, who, though from Tennessee, was a frequent visitor to her sister, who lived next door to Rev. Johnson’s mother. Rev. Johnson laughs as he explained, “I married the girl next door!” Together, the couple relocated to Connecticut.
Betty, a professional educator, taught business at a high school level, and ultimately became the Vice Principal at Manchester High School. As she worked to inspire and shepherd generations of young adults into productive lives, Rev. Johnson was busy fulfilling his mission to “build a church” and to nurture the heart and soul of his new community. He is the proud founder of the Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield and is equally proud of his work in helping Bishop Thomas Hoyt, then director of HIU’s Black Ministries Program (BMP) in partnership with MT Winter, who remains his dear and treasured friend, and a revered friend of HIU. Rev. Johnson taught the inaugural class of BMP, and he has remained an instructor every year to the present, some forty-two years later.
Along the way, different AME Bishops directed him to spearhead special missions, including the supervision of 20 churches in Brooklyn, (which required his presence for five years) and heading the Grant AME Church on Washington Street in Boston. Throughout it all, Rev. Johnson remained devoted to HIU, to the Black Ministries Program, and to the church he founded in Bloomfield. Rev. Johnson retired in 2019, and sadly, his adored Betty, his wife and partner for over 52 years, passed away in 2024. His retirement and Betty’s passing inspired him to pause and, as he considered the legacy he wanted to leave, he contacted HIU to express his desire and plans to leave a legacy gift to HIU.
As we spoke about his plans to include HIU in his estate, Rev. Johnson made clear his priority: he wants his bequest to HIU to inspire others to do the same. “We are living in precarious times which,” he explained, “include assaults on education, culture, humanity and Black studies. Now, more than ever, the Black churches and the ministry need qualified and passionate individuals to lead the way. Just as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King led a movement, those in the ministry must be prepared to step up. All ministers — in every religion — must have a place to learn the skills needed to lead, to promote dialogue and to influence change.” Rev. Johnson is worried that the current climate is turning people against one another, saying, “If this way of thinking prevails, we all lose. We should not allow anyone to drive us apart. Our only defense is to rebuild and maintain the precious connections between people, so we can support and defend one another.”
“People add joy and embellish your life,” he added. “Without community, colleagues and precious friendships, we all lose immeasurably.” Rev. Johnson emphasized the meaning and impact that the HIU (and the older Hartford Seminary) have had in his life, and the importance of HIU’s work in preparing the next generation for the ministry. Leaving a legacy gift to HIU is his way of “giving back” and “paying it forward” so that future leaders can benefit, just as he did.
Our recent conversation about his work inspired Rev. Johnson to recall many fond memories, all possible because of his work in ministry. He was an early civil rights activist, who was present when Malcolm X spoke in Boston. He was in Washington D.C. in 1968, and was just steps away from Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. While Rev. Johnson spent most of his life in Boston and Hartford, his early childhood years
were spent in Plains, GA at his grandfather’s farm, next door to the farm owned by former President Jimmy Carter. His grandfather and President Carter’s father were not merely neighbors but good friends. Rev. Johnson’s father cherished his lifelong friendship with President Carter.
Rev. Johnson is a proud member of Omegi Psi Phi, and is extraordinarily proud of his four children, two boys and two girls. One of his daughters is a retired pastor living in Wethersfield, and his other daughter is an education administrator, like her mom, and lives in Atlanta. One of his sons is a pastor in New Jersey and his other son is now teaching at Harvard Law School, having secured his master’s degree at Boston University and his J.D. from Yale School of Law. Rev. Johnson remains active in several local organizations including his fraternity. He remains on staff at the Bethel AME Church and on faculty for HIU’s Black Ministries Program. He is Co-Chair of the CT Council for Interreligious Understanding, is on the Board of Directors for his local condominium association and serves as the CT State Chaplain for the Masons.
Leavingabequestisanexpression ofhopeandabeliefinthefuture andgenerationstocome.Formore informationaboutlegacygiving andhowyoucanmakeadifference, pleasereachouttodevelopment@ hartfordinternational.edu.
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Student Net Tuition Revenues
Investment Return Utilized for Operations
Private Gifts, Bequests, and Grants
Research and Grants
Auxiliary Activities
Other Revenue
Investment Income, Beneficial Interest in Perpetual Trusts
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUE
OPERATING EXPENSES
Educational & Institutional Support
Management & General
Fundraising
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS, OPERATIONS
OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
Private Gifts and Pledges
Investment Return, Net
Investment Return, Utilized for Operations
Change in Value of Split Interest Agreement
Depreciation
Other Expenses/Income
TOTAL OTHER CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS
NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR 2024 $945,322 $3,318,836 $791,940 $1,559,563 $43,377 $185,622 $453,903 $6,353,241 $4,386,670 $2,335,812 $366,966 $7,089,448 $209,125 $834,054 $7,305,966 ($3,188,737) $537,000 ($218,898) — $5,269,385 $5,478,510 $71,905,472 $71,383,982 2023 $804,897 $3,461,485 $474,098 $352,708 $73,677 $360,221 $561,493 $6,088,579 $4,469,214 $2,074,040 $324,392 $6,867,646 ($779,067) $58,770 $5,453,584 ($3,347,271) $366,709 ($184,821) ($43,473) $2,303,498 $1,524,431 $70,381,041 $71,905,472
REVENUE
HIU BOARD OF TRUSTEES & AMBASSADORS
Edmund (Ted) See Retired Partner, Day Pitney LLP St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, Hartford, CT
Mr. Naseem Shaikh, 1st Vice Chair Retired VP and CFO of UTAS, a division of United Technologies The Islamic Association of Greater Hartford
HIU Ambassadors
Ralph Edgar Ahlberg
Saud Anwar
Mohammad Saleem Bajwa
Courtney B. Bourns
David Brandwein
Gordon Scott Cady
Sajjad B. Chowdhry
Joseph Colletti
William J. Cronin Jr.
Shirley Dudley
Ms. Mildred McNeill Retired Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, University of Hartford
Dr. Ali Shakibai Cardiologist
Mr. Shakeeb Alam Co-Founder and President of East Bridge Capital Management, L.P.
Imam Dr. Jawad Bayat, (Co-President of the Alumni Council) Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education, Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic
Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey (Co-President of the Alumni Council) Pastor, Union Congregational United
and
Dr. Sherry Turner, 2nd Vice Chair Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Managing Director –Investments at
Julie P. Fewster
Shawn R. Fisher
James P. Friedman
Harriet H. Gardner
Wendy M. Haller
Robert B. Hoffman Sr.
Molly F. James
Molly O’Neill Louden
Hugh McLean
Kate McLean
Priya Morganstern
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Pilar R. Schmidt
John L. Selders Jr.
Joseph M. Tobin Jr.
Mr. Thomas C. Hofstetter
Wells Fargo Advisors
Mr. Peter Kelly Senior Principal, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC
Dr. Joel N. Lohr President, Hartford International
Mr.
Mr. Frank R.A. Resnick, Secretary Retired CFO, Mandell Greater Hartford JCC, Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT
Ms. Gertrude “Trudie” Prior President
General Manager, Coral World Ocean Park Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas USVI
Mr. John Cordani Intellectual property attorney, Robinson+Cole, Hartford, CT
Mr. Martin L. Budd, Esq., Treasurer Retired Partner, Day Pitney, Stamford, CT Temple Emanu-El, New York
Rabbi Debra Cantor Congregation B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, Bloomfield, CT
Ms. Allison Chisolm Principal, Choice Words/Chisolm & Co. Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester, MA
Ms. Noora Brown Chairwoman of Interfaith and Outreach, Farmington Valley American Muslim Center Inc.
Ms. Kathleen Dion Partner, Robinson+Cole, Hartford, CT
Ms. Clare R. Feldman, Chair Retired Senior Vice President Citizens Bank, Congregation Beth Israel
Dr. Lisa Dahill (Faculty Trustee) Director of the Center for Transformative Spirituality
Bishop Dr. Benjamin Watts (Faculty Trustee) Director of the Black Ministries Program, Executive Minister of the Howard Thurman Center for Justice and Transformational Ministry
A TALE OF RICE PUDDING
BY LIZ RYAN
One Sunday in September, Pakistani Canadian MAP student Hina Khan spent an hour and a half tirelessly stirring a pot to ensure her kheer, a traditional rice pudding, didn’t burn. Hina wasn’t satisfying a craving; she was preparing the dish to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), reciting salutations in his honor as she cooked. Kheer holds a special place in Hina’s heart. The recipe was passed down through generations in her family and was a staple at her house in Pakistan during Eid al-Fitr, the festive celebration marking the end of Ramadan’s month-long dawn-to-dusk fasting. Hina offered her kheer to her fellow MA in International Peacebuilding students.
The following day, a group of monastics practicing in the tradition of the renowned Vietnamese Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh visited the campus for a talk. MAP Program Director Phoebe Milliken invited the peacebuilding students to join the monastics for lunch. Hina, eager to share a piece of her culture, brought along the leftover kheer she had prepared the day before and offered it to the monastics. As soon as Hina entered the building, the female monastics noticed what she was carrying and asked with particular interest, “What are you bringing?”
Not expecting them to recognize the dessert by its traditional name, she simply replied, “It’s rice pudding.” To her surprise, they responded, “Is kheer, right?”
Hina, taken aback, asked, “How do you know?” The monastics then explained that kheer holds a significant place in the Buddhist tradition, telling her the story:
Sujata, a milkmaid, had made a vow to the spirit of a banyan tree, praying for a healthy child. When her wish was fulfilled, she felt immense gratitude and decided to express her thanks by preparing a special offering of kheer, a rich and nourishing rice pudding.
On the day she went to make her offering, she encountered Siddhartha Gautama (who would later become the Buddha) sitting beneath the tree. At the time, he was emaciated and weakened from years of extreme ascetic practices —a period during which he detached from worldly pleasures and endured severe fasting in pursuit of enlightenment.
Seeing his frail and gaunt appearance, Sujata mistook him for the tree spirit who had granted her wish. She offered the kheer to him out of reverence and gratitude, believing she was honoring the spirit. In the beginning, Siddhartha rejected the offering, explaining he could not eat or drink anything, to which Sujata responded that one should not give too much pain to himself, nor enjoy life and its comforts too much. One should always follow the Middle Way. Siddhartha looked at Sujata with gratitude and ate all the contents of the bowl offered to him. Six years of self-imposed harsh and extreme asceticism came to an end in favor of the Middle Way, a balanced path that ultimately led to his enlightenment.
The monks loved the parallel — another woman, centuries later, offering them kheer. “It was so special to them,” Hina said.
The moment was also special to Hina. She realized that Sujata’s act of nourishment had been more than mere coincidence. Even though she arrived for unrelated reasons, Sujata was there at the right time – as Hina had been with the monks.
In Hina’s case, the kheer she shared with the monks was what she cooked to celebrate the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), while Sujata’s kheer was prepared to celebrate the birth of her child.
“They ate it so respectfully and so lovingly,” Hina said, remembering that beautiful moment when two traditions intertwined through a simple yet profound act of sharing a comforting bowl of kheer.
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