Praxis Spring 2023

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Peace greetings! Welcome to an issue of Praxis that celebrates the outstanding achievements and the 40th anniversary of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at HIU.

HIRR, as it’s known, has a stellar reputation around the country for the depth and breadth of its research on religion and religious institutions in the U.S. But the story of religion research at Hartford International is quite complex and goes back much farther than 40 years. As you’ll see in the Q&A with former Dean Rev. Dr. Bill McKinney, ’70, ’71 (pg. 12), sociological inquiry stands at the very heart of this institution. As McKinney makes clear, it’s in our DNA.

You’ll also learn about the recent HIRR initiatives spearheaded by Dr. Scott Thumma, Dr. Allison Norton, and their highly competent team. We are at the forefront of research through our Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) project. We’re also bringing innovative pastors and ministers together to share their ideas and network with each other as part of the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England (PINNE) initiative, started by the HIRR.

In addition, the HIRR leads the Faith Communities Today (FACT) research partnership, which brings together nearly 30 denominations and faith traditions to offer a detailed portrait of faith and congregational life in America today.

Another program celebrated in this issue is our MA in International Peacebuilding (MAP). The profiles of the 10 ambitious students who have joined us this year are must reads. And, these students are here because many of you have supported them with donations to the program. For that, I say thank you.

On that note, in the final pages of this issue you’ll find the many names of donors and foundations that have contributed to HIU between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. We are so grateful to you, our donors and supporters, as we navigate an ever-changing religious landscape and live into our role as the nation’s leading resource for interreligious education, religion research, and peace studies. Again, thank you.

In your service, for religion and peace,

HARTFORD INSTITUTE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS

IN DECEMBER we celebrated 40 years of Hartford Institute’s glorious past accomplishments: the research, reports, grants, books, and faculty members that have made the Institute one of the most prominent congregational research centers in the country. We don’t intend to rest on our laurels, however. The Institute’s staff continues this legacy of activity daily. Currently, we have a full agenda, too full most days, that strives to continue to grow the Institute in the coming 40 years and beyond. Our present activities range from the practical and programmatic to applied research and cutting-edge academic pursuits. Integrated with a robust communications strategy, our current work is both timely and also seen by thousands of religious leaders and the public in major news and religious outlets every week. In the following paragraphs, we share the insider’s view of our ongoing efforts as we continue the research and educational legacy of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

Church Inventory Service

For over 30 years, we have offered our Parish Inventory, church planning and pastoral search surveys for congregations to better understand their internal dynamics. These fully customizable member surveys are available at a reasonable flat rate with quick turnaround time and DIY interpretation guide. Used by thousands of churches since inception, 30 to 50 churches currently use these inventory surveys each year. Most recently, Dr. Scott Thumma and Dr. Allison Norton consulted with 10 congregations in the Practicing Resurrection Children’s Defense Fund initiative, helping these church leaders interpret the results of the inventories taken by their members. The Pastoral Search survey is highly valued by churches, especially interim ministers in the midst of pastoral transitions. We have a good many Intentional-Interim Ministry clergy who regularly use our instrument at each church they serve. The service has also been employed by research colleagues to measure growth and change in their projects, dissertation efforts, and denominational judicatory programs.

Pastoral Innovation Network of New England (PINNE)

In 2017, we received a $1-million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. for a 5-year Thriving in Ministry program to create a hub of clergy innovation in the New England region. This grant has grown into the Pastoral Innovation Network of New England (PINNE), directed by Allison Norton. The program fosters and sustains clergy excellence by enhancing the creativity and leadership skills of newer, innovative Mainline Protestant clergy across the region. This program is unique as a cross-denominational space — a network that crosses artificial boundaries of denomination to enable pastors to work collaboratively toward nurturing creative approaches to ministry. Nearly 40 participants have been accepted into the program, and they have brought life to the HIU campus at their regular gatherings. PINNE further supports development of ministry creativity through peer-coaching groups and sharing the wealth of data and insights from the Institute’s research initiatives. The PINNE participants have also strengthened the work of the Institute, through multiple years of rich conversation that provides insight into how pastors are interpreting and

responding to our data. Right now, we are planning a day-long public conference in early summer where PINNE participants will share workshops on their vital approaches to thriving with other pastors throughout the region.

Faith Communities Today Research Partnership (FACT)

What originated as a series of conversations about church member surveys at the 1995 Religious Research Association annual gathering has grown into what is now a multi-faith coalition of nearly 30 denominations and faith traditions. The Faith Communities Today survey is a cooperative partnership of diverse faith groups that strive to present an accurate picture of not just their tradition’s faith communities but also jointly a representative picture of the rich diversity of the American religious landscape. In 2020, Faith Communities Today conducted the largest national survey of American congregations ever undertaken, with over 15,000 responses. FACT’s rich history and wealth of data spanning more than 20 years is a key resource for congregational development. The multi-faith group of FACT partners work together with Institute staff to issue timely reports on a variety of topics relevant to religious leaders, such as engaging young adults, spiritual vitality, interfaith cooperation, and bi-vocational ministry leadership. The US Mosque Survey reports, Megachurch reports, and many other partner reports are also generated from this study, as FACT partners create specific resources for their own religious communities. If your faith tradition is not yet a part of this faithful collective, we encourage you to connect with us to learn how to join our ongoing research efforts (faithcommunitiestoday.org).

Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC)

In 2021, we received a $5.3-million-dollar grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc. in support of an extensive, multi-faceted research effort that seeks to identify and document the creativity and resilience of America’s congregations, church members, and leaders as they have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. For the overall project, three primary questions guide our work over the 5-year grant period:

How did congregations respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?

What does congregational life in the United States look like in the wake of COVID-19?

What are the long-term consequences of COVID-19 on congregational life in the United States?

Throughout the initial 18 months of this study, we concentrated on the first two of these questions. Through our early historical and literature searches, followed by the first three national key-informant surveys and case studies in nearly 100 congregations located across the country, we have focused our efforts on recording how over 3,000 churches responded to the pandemic. With another survey currently in the field, we expect to have an additional 5,000 responses that will describe the latest realities. Since our surveys are spaced roughly 6 months apart, we can capture initial activities such as closure rates, and actions around masking and vaccine testing, alongside levels of congregational conflict. These surveys also allow us to identify shifting trends such as participation rates, volunteering, and giving dynamics for distinct periods of time. Furthermore, our nearly 100 case studies with observations, interviews, attender surveys, and key informant surveys allow our team to dig deeper into the patterns seen in the national surveys and explore the nuances and variations in churches over the past three years. The EPIC project has also breathed new life into the Institute, with a rotating staff of three postdoctoral fellows who bring energy, commitment, and new insights into quantitative and qualitative research. Thus far, Andrew Gardner (a scholar of American religious history) worked the first year of the project. He is currently serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Baylor University and as the Director of Development for the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion. Patricia Tevington then joined the team as a sociologist of religion with previous experience as a postdoctoral researcher at Montclair State University. She currently works at Pew Research Center as a research associate focusing on religion. We are presently working with three additional postdoctoral fellows, including Hannah Evans, Charissa Mikoski, and Amidu Elabo.

The communication and dissemination of this applied work has been a key emphasis that has strengthened the public presence of the Institute. We did not originally anticipate the overwhelming interest in the project’s results. While we had proposed and created a robust communications strategy with the goal of reaching a broad base of clergy, lay leaders, denominational leaders, academic researchers, journalists, and the

public, we have been surprised by the considerable attention paid to our work. Having pursued a wide range of research dissemination and audience engagement strategies over the past two years, we have had nearly 18,000 visitors to the project website, had our work cited in 1,100+ articles published by media outlets, generated 23 blog posts, and eight Creative Congregations vignettes, and have shared this work with thousands of audience members in the 40+ talks and presentations held. We invite you to explore our EPIC website (www. covidreligionresearch.org) to view our reports and engage with our research findings. Also, sign up for our newsletter and follow our social media to learn more as we continue this work over the next three years.

U.S. Religion Census

The work leading up to the decadal U.S. Religion Census has also kept Scott Thumma busy the past few years. Begun in 1952, this census has been conducted by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies since 1990 and the 2020 data was released in Fall 2022. The coverages includes both Christian and non-Christian groups, providing the

only source for religious membership data for congregations at the county level. The 2020 census includes more than 370 religious bodies, over 350,000 congregations, and over 160 million adherents, making it the most extensive count of congregations ever conducted. Because the study has been ongoing since the 1950s, it helps researchers and those interested in the changing American religious landscape to identify trends and track religious change over time. To engage further, go to the website (www.usreligionscensus.org).

Contract Initiatives

Given the Institute’s involvement in the functioning of many denominational and academic departments, it isn’t surprising that these entities turn to us when they need additional services and support with research projects they have undertaken.

As denominations across the country have faced budget cuts that have limited their ability to conduct in-house research, the Institute is increasingly providing expertise in data collection and analysis to help religious leaders have adequate data to make informed decisions as they lead in turbulent times.

Faculty Research and Writing Efforts

Our individual research efforts often tackle subjects overlooked by our colleagues. Scott Thumma’s 30-year research on U.S. megachurches is one of a kind and the most comprehensive examination of this important trend that exists. Allison Norton has continued this effort with her current research globally into African megachurches as part of the Global South Megachurch Project. Scott is also engaged in research to better understand a growing trend in the American religious landscape, that of the rise in nondenominational churches. Both his survey research and census efforts to track this major shift have garnered considerable interest in the past year. Additionally, throughout all our institutional and personal projects we are beginning to focus more intently on research regarding congregations of color and new immigrant religious communities.

Collaborative Connections

However, it is more than our research efforts and programs that occupy Hartford Institute’s present reality. The Institute thrives as a result of its role as a network hub, a collaborative partner, and a convener of connectional relationships. Whether these ties are between academics, denominational

offices, or clusters of congregations and leaders, we continually strive to bring our colleagues together and form collaborative efforts to better understand the role religion plays in our society and ways that faith communities can become more dynamic and vital agents of spiritual growth and societal change. This is a mission that Hartford Institute for Religion Research has pursued in the past, is actively engaged in in the present, and is committed to into the future.

Use the QR code to further discover how the EPIC project’s representative surveys and ethnographic case studies are detailing religious congregational change and adaption in the wake of COVID-19.

Q & A WITH BILL McKINNEY

Q. In a speech you gave at the 40th anniversary of HIRR, you asked: Why would a theological school reinventing itself, as HIU did in 1972 in response to dramatic social and cultural changes, include a program of social and religious research as one of its foundational elements? You offered several clues going back to our founding in 1834 by Calvinists who were also “innovators.” You also highlighted the presidency of Chester Hartranft (1888-1903), who imagined a “university of religion,” opened the school to women in 1889, argued for the dominance of the scientific method, and brought in a faculty member, Graham Taylor, who pioneered the use of sociology in theological education.

A. My clues suggest an answer: that the roots of what is now HIRR were present in this institution’s DNA long before the 1972 Decision. We celebrate 40 years of an important expression with deep roots in the DNA of its host institution.

Q. Your talk also addressed the concern that the school, over its long history, lacked cohesion, operating more as a “loose affiliation of quasi-autonomous entities bound by a shared, inclusive ecumenical Christian vision.” What is your response to that?

A. Over the years critics have argued, fairly, the school has seemed to lack a coherent mission or purpose while missing the fact that it has had a remarkably coherent operating style. I would describe this style as participating as a partner and leader in communities of inquiry and action based outside the institution itself. Those communities have included religious and theological educators, world mission leaders, movements for racial and social justice, interfaith relations, religion researchers, and others. I agree with Peter Drucker and others who argue that nonprofit organizations need to know the business they are in and stick to it.  Without mission clarity, organizations can wander somewhat  aimlessly. Over the years, I think, HIU has also recognized that its direction must be responsive to the changing needs of the communities in which it is an important participant. In my time as Hartford’s dean I participated in conversations with Yale Divinity School in which a senior YDS faculty member commented, “I remember the days when Hartford was a real theological seminary.” By that he meant a school that prepared young men for parish ministry or people who would go on to careers as tenured faculty members in schools like his own. HIU recognized early-on that the needs of its partner communities change over time and that it must adapt to help meet those needs.

Q. How do you see the future of the Hartford Institute?

A. Many of the programs created in the 1960s and 1970s to understand and revitalize religious institutions in the ecumenical Protestant tradition are no longer with us. This one has survived and continues to thrive. I hope some of us will step up and help look for ways the good work of the past forty years can continue long into the future.

Q. What is the importance of long-range funding for the Institute?

A. Past directors have done an extraordinary job of securing grants and contracts to support the Institute’s religious and social research. No doubt that will continue, but as the Institute anticipates future leadership transitions, my hope is it will do so with a more secure financial foundation. The Institute has cherished its independence from external control over the years, which has enhanced the credibility of its work with the scholarly, practitioner, and funding communities. Those who fund research in this area experience financial downturns and can change priorities rather suddenly, making long range planning very difficult. Maintaining a research infrastructure is crucial to be able to respond when new opportunities arise. Looking back on my own career, one of my greatest frustrations is the number of projects that never got completed because funders were unable or unwilling to support research on topics they saw as too risky or controversial.

Q. Any final thoughts?

A. We need to pause to remember those who have brought the Institute to where it is today. Thanks to the directors, faculty and staff who have served here and now do so, to the presidents and deans and board members and faculty and staff colleagues who have worked alongside and supported the research program, to the dozens of scholars who have participated as research partners, and to those who have provided financial support for various projects. We give thanks as well to the thousands of religious leaders and faith communities locally and around the world who have benefitted from this good work and will continue to do so for the next forty years and beyond!

Bill McKinney, M.Div. ’71, is President Emeritus at the Pacific School of Religion and a former dean of Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.

INTERNATIONAL PEACEBUILDING CLASS OF 2023

IN FALL 2022 WE WELCOMED OUR SECOND CLASS OF PEACEBUILDERS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE. READ THE BIOS OF THESE REMARKABLE STUDENTS WHO SPENT A YEAR BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

Lena Vallianatou

Greece Orthodox Christian

Lena Vallianatou went to a music high school and studied pedagogy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Now she gives literature lessons and helps students prepare for school. From a young age, she played musical instruments and sang. In high school, she started playing traditional Greek music. She plays the Lyra of Istanbul and sings traditional Greek songs from different Greek areas. Dancing is another passion of hers with her specialty being contemporary dance. She applied to HIU because she believes that peacebuilding through diverse religions needs to be included in educational programs both inside and outside schools. In this way, our understanding of inclusion can be nurtured and our differences celebrated. She would like to work in education in her country to improve the way that Greek society behaves toward refugees. Also, she would like to use peacebuilding as a tool in education programs and work with refugee students and their parents.

Vinoto Hokheto Shohe

After the completion of his degree in Divinity, Vinoto went to pursue his studies in Social Work in Dalit and Tribal Studies and Action. The concentration of his research during this particular study was on the “Eastern Konyak Naga in Indo-Myanmar Border area.” After that, he served as an office assistant at a local church for two years. He also recently earned his Master’s of Sacred Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York; his extended paper was on “Exploring Double Religious Identity in a Naga Christian Context.” Vinoto’s goal both in academia and ministry is to engage with Indigenous communities, primarily those in the border areas. It will be a holistic approach where he intends to concentrate on education, health, politics, socio-economic conditions, along with religious aspects.

Regina Elisa Wijayanti

Indonesia Catholic

Regina earned her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations at the University of Jember. She worked in the Regional Center of Expertise (RCE) Candidate East Java. Previously, she worked at the Center for Human Rights, Multiculturalism and Migration (CHRM2 University of Jember). Through the MAP program at Hartford International University, she wants to better understand human rights, religions, and multiculturalism. She hopes those skills will help her to educate people about peacebuilding. Her previous work nurtured her passion for activities concerning human rights, community outreach, policies, law, sustainable development, and the role of education, religion, and peace.

Fadel Muthana

Yemen Muslim

Fadel (Jacob) Muthana is a community organizer who has served in multiple diversity and inclusion programs in Michigan, Iowa, and Georgia. Most recently, Jacob completed a service term with Americorps that sought to reduce high school truancy rates in Detroit. He also became a Parent Liaison to help a Hamtramck, MI, community characterized by newcomer immigrant parents. As a result, he was able to help the parents better assist their children in enhancing their education. Fadel graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in Criminal Justice and Political Science. As an undergraduate, he was involved with the Muslim Association and was co-founder of a philosophy club where people could freely express their views. Previously a recipient of the Dean’s scholarship at Hartford International for an MA in Interreligious Studies, Jacob will now pursue a degree in International Peacebuilding.

Marina Frish

Ukraine, Germany Jewish

Marina was born in Ukraine and moved to Germany in 1996 as part of a wave of Russian-speaking Jews who were invited to re-establish Judaism in Germany. She moved to the U.S. in 2009. An engineer by training, she has volunteered for years with organizations – both Jewish and Christian – which serve refugees and migrants. She is looking to turn her volunteer work into her main career. A better understanding of the Abrahamic faiths and conflict transformation will allow her to be of greater service to others.

Harriet Ahalo

Kenya Christian (Lutheran)

Harriet is a youth peace advocate working in the Coast region of Kenya. Much of her work involves championing youth and women to take active roles in peacebuilding and preventing violent extremism. Harriet is also a founder of WeRiseAfrica, which challenges young people and women to rise up against the challenges around them and participate in processes that affect their daily lives such as peacebuilding, leadership, and governance. As part her interfaith dialogue work, she targeted religious leaders, security officers, a local peace structures committee, and local youth. This aimed at building partnerships for peace and security through interfaith dialogues, community-police sensitization meetings, and house of worship visits. Harriet is a member of the Mombasa Interfaith Youth network. She was also a fellow of the African Union interfaith dialogue on violent extremism (IDove) 2020 and an International Dialogue fellow 2020 at the International dialogue centre (KAICIID).

Paul Mdumi

Paul holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Divinity and a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication. His main goal in life entails the realization of peace through being firmly committed to reducing violence. He aims to do this by working with other like-minded individuals to encourage dialogue among people, mending relationships, and reforming institutions. Paul’s commitment and love for peace have led him to be the Zanzibar Interfaith Centre Executive Director in Tanzania. The Centre has contributed to regional and global peace by building a resilient society that can survive violent conflicts and fosters peaceful co-existence among diverse religious, political, and cultural divides. In addition, he is committed to contributing to the learning process of his MAP program peers, bringing in his firsthand experience in peacebuilding through interfaith relations and interreligious dialogue work. Paul believes the knowledge he will acquire in the MAP program will benefit many through teaching, sharing, and writing.

Safiya Rebhi

Safiya is an Anglo-American Literature and Civilization university graduate who is currently pursuing a postgraduate degree to be a university teacher. She is taking a year in the midst of this to complete the MAP program. Safiya is a literature lover at heart and a knowledge seeker by nature. Her experience as a member of IofC (Initiative of Change Tunisia) inspired her to learn more about interreligious studies and its centrality to peacebuilding. Safiya thinks there is no place in the world as dedicated to improving interreligious studies as HIU. She also looks forward to focusing on imagination as a spiritual practice, a practice that she believes is not entirely disassociated from reality. Together with her fellow MAP students, Safiya will be able to foster interreligious dialogue on the international level, address assertions that religions are inherently negative forces (especially in the field of politics), empower those who can make a difference, and build a better future for peaceful coexistence.

Tanzania Christian

Tunisia Muslim

Dogara Simon Danbaba

Nigeria Christian

Dogara Simon Danbaba holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Language and a diploma in journalism from NTA Television College, Jos. As a student, he received three awards from NTA Television College in recognition of his journalistic skills. As a result of his academic prowess, he was offered a job with one of the best media houses in Nigeria, DAAR Communications. However, in 2014, he resigned his appointment from the company to follow God’s calling to become a missionary. Since then, he has been in Kamuku Home Mission Field in Niger, a state of Nigeria. Growing up in Nigeria has made him realize that conflict and lack of connection between people of different religious beliefs can have detrimental consequences. He read stories of HIU transforming lives across the globe, which, along with his need to reconcile the people in his community, compelled him to apply to the MAP program. He dreams of contributing to society in the area of peace and the promotion of harmonious living.

Lyka Mtambo

Born and raised in Malawi, Lyka Mtambo is a dynamic personality who believes in empowering others because she, too, is empowered. She is a lawyer with eight years of experience at the bar. She is a founder of a law firm known as Charlotte Ray and Associates based in Lilongwe, Malawi, which she established in 2017. Lyka chose HIU because she was captivated by its history, its diversity, and its prominent alumni. She further states that the uniqueness of the curriculum of the MAP program speaks to her aspirations and future plans. Lyka is passionate about child rights, women’s rights, and interfaith work. Her passion has seen her serve on a voluntary basis in different organizations in her home country and also internationally. She currently serves as a member of the International Youth Committee of Religions for Peace. Through her volunteer work, she has worked in the areas of faith, religion and diplomacy, child rights and women’s rights, and social cohesion. with religious aspects.

Malawi Muslim

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NEW STAFF & FACULTY

Benjamin Breault is the new Registrar and Associate Director of Financial Aid. Before coming to HIU, Ben started his career in higher education administration at Manchester Community College, Ben has nearly 15 years of experience in enrollment services and academic affairs, most recently serving as the Program Coordinator for GEAR UP East Hartford. Since 2015, he has also served as an adjunct instructor of English and the Humanities at MCC.

Cheryl Winter is our new Business Office Associate. She hails from Glastonbury, CT and has years of experience in the corporate and non-profit arenas. Previously, Cheryl served as a bookkeeper at the Little Theatre of Manchester and had other similar roles at Plan of Connecticut and Hartford Stage Company.

Executive Assistant to the President

Sioux Wilusz is the new Executive Assistant to the President. She will support President Joel Lohr’s work, as well as that of the Senior Leadership Team, and will serve as a liaison to the Board of Trustees, Development Committee, and Personnel Committee. Sioux’s previous work history includes Konica Minolta as a Supervisor, and The Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ, as the Executive Assistant to the Conference Minister.

Dr. Amidu Elabo comes to us from Princeton, NJ. Amidu is an experienced ethnographer, researcher, and data analyst who holds a Ph.D. in Religion and Society from Princeton Theological Seminary, an MSc in Religious Studies from the University of Edinburgh, an MA in the Interaction of Religions from the University of Jos, and a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Jos. Amidu has served as a lecturer, teaching assistant, and research assistant in a variety of capacities in both Nigeria and the U.S. prior to joining the HIRR staff.

Maintenance Supervisor

Angeles brings years of maintenance experience and skills in plumbing, electrical, landscape maintenance, remodeling, and construction. Additionally, Angeles is fluent in English and Spanish, which is beneficial when supervising Spanish-speaking contractors involved in facility projects and providing services. Angeles’s previous work experience includes the Connecticut Renaissance as a Facilities Supervisor/Interim Facilities Director and at Professional Property Services LLC.

4. FRAN FITZGERALD

Francis Fitzgerald is the new Director of Facilities and Campus Operations. Francis comes to us from Plantsville, CT, and has great experience in planning, design, construction, and operations. He served most recently as the Assistant Vice President for Facilities Planning and Operations at Brooklyn College. He also served as Associate Director of Facilities and Capital Project Management at Columbia University.

Karla Fackler Grafton is our new Director of Library Services. Karla is a Theological Librarian with 20-plus years of experience in various national and international libraries. She was the Foreign Languages Librarian from 1999 to 2007 at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt. She also worked as an Archives and Rare Books Librarian at Westminster Theological Seminary. Most recently, she worked as Assistant Librarian at John P. Webster Library at First Church West Hartford.

Eamon Ormseth is our new Student Services & Residential Life Coordinator/Designated School Official. Eamon has worked to combat Islamophobia in Montana and graduated from HIU’s MAP program in 2022. This background and experience will be valuable for this position. Eamon will be providing quality service to all enrolled students through a variety of program initiatives. He will act as a resource and referral source for student questions and information. As coordinator he will care for the well-being of student life.

5. CHERYL WINTER Business Office Associate

6. AMIDU ELABO Postdoctoral Research Fellow

7. KARLA GRAFTON Director of Library Services

8. EAMON ORMSETH

Student Services & Residential Life Coordinator & Designated School Officer

1. BEN BREAULT

Registrar & Associate Director of Financial Aid and Accreditation Liaison Officer

2. SIOUX WILUSZ

3. ANGELES TORRES

Director of Facilities & Campus Operations

9. CLEOTHA ROBERTSON

Director of the Howard Thurman Center and Associate Professor

Dr. Robertson has been named Director of the Howard Thurman Center and Associate Professor. He concurrently serves as Associate Professor of Old Testament at Alliance Theological Seminary’s New York City Campus. Dr. Robertson is also the Senior Pastor of Sound View Presbyterian Church in the Bronx, NY, where has served since July 1994. Dr. Robertson is a native of Brooklyn, NY, where he received his early Christian nurture at Cornerstone Baptist Church. He was licensed and ordained to Christian ministry under the guidance of Dr. Harry Wright and Rev. Henry Scott.

10. CHERYL TOWNSEND GILKES

Distinguished Professor, Community Liaison, and Research Consultant for the Howard Thurman Center

Dr. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes joins Hartford International as Distinguished Professor, Community Liaison, and Research Consultant for the Howard Thurman Center, in partnership with the University’s Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

Dr. Gilkes is the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Professor Emerita of African-American Studies and Sociology at Colby College in Waterville, ME. An ordained Baptist minister, she is an Assistant Pastor for special projects at the Union Baptist Church in Cambridge, MA. She has served as visiting faculty at several seminaries and schools of divinity, most recently Chicago Theological Seminary.

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WALTER FLUKER

Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center

Dr. Walter Earl Fluker has been appointed Distinguished Professor of the Howard Thurman Center. Dr. Fluker is the Martin Luther King, Jr Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership at Boston University and presently serves as Dean’s Professor of Spirituality, Ethics and Leadership at Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He retired from the Boston University School of Theology in June 2020. Dr. Fluker has consulted and provided ethical leadership training in diversity and inclusion for an array of organizations. Among his many publications is the forthcoming, The Unfinished Search for Common Ground: Reimagining Howard Thurman’s Life and Work

12. CHARISSA MIKOSKI

Doctoral Research Fellow

Charissa Mikoski comes to us from Indiana and joined the Hartford Institute for Religion Research (HIRR) team as a Doctoral Research Fellow. She provides quantitative data analysis for the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations (EPIC) project, as well as survey management. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA, and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Currently, Charissa is a Ph.D. candidate at Purdue University focusing on the sociology of religion. Her past research experiences include roles with the Pew Research Center, Presbyterian Church (USA), and The Confirmation Project.

HIU HONOR ROLL OF DONORS

THIS LIST REPRESENTS DONATIONS MADE BETWEEN JULY 1, 2021 AND JUNE 30, 2022

PRESIDENTS CIRCLE

($10,000+)

Anonymous

J. Walton Bissell Foundation

E. Rhodes and Leone B. Carpenter Foundation

David E.A. and Sara Carson

Fellowship in Prayer

Francis Asbury Palmer Fund

Lynn and John Fulkerson

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving

International Institute of Islamic Thought

Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Louisville Institute

Prior Family Foundation

James and JoAnn Robertson

Nancy and Stephen Roberts

The State of Connecticut

Andrew and Carolyn Young

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

($2,500-$9,999)

Shakeeb Alam and Aida Arain

Fatma and Dr. Ali A. Antar

Martin and Aviva Budd

Sanford and Diane Cloud

The Ruth Conant Trust Fund

Clare and Barry Feldman

Peter and Susan Kelly

Joel and Teresa Lohr

Ann Marino

Bill and Linda McKinney

Frank and Judith Resnick

Linda Beher and Vito Salvato*

Ted and Ellen See Naseem and Ramla Shaikh

Ali and Hajar Shakibai

Rev. Linda M. Spiers

Beverly and Travis Tatum

United Church of Christ

Susan and Eliot* Williams

The Eric and Jessica Zachs Family Foundation

VISIONARY

($1,000-$2,499)

Dean and Jennifer Ahlberg

Ralph and Beverly* Ahlberg

Colleen Keyes and Bilal Ansari

Mohammad and Kaneez Bajwa

Robert Bazyk

Sheryll Bedingfield

B’Nai Tikvoh-Sholom

David and Ann Brandwein

Marilyn and Thomas Breckenridge

Noora G. Brown and Khamis

Abu-Hasaballah

Robinson+Cole

William and Ann Cronin

Perry Davis Associates, Inc.

Bettina Del Sesto

Edward and Lynne Duffy

Imran Eba and Hena Kazmi

James Emrich

First Church of Christ, Congregational

Harriet and Phillip Gardner

Wendy Haller

Richard M. Howe

Georgette Huie

Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts

Islamic Council of New England

Hossein Kamaly

Lynne. S. Kramer

The Rev. Dr. Molly Mazey

O’Neill Louden

Michael and Nancy Rion

Susan Schoenberger and Kevin Wyman

Scott Schooley and Giuliana Musilli

Dr. Bruce Stewart

Margaret and Kenneth Thomas

Garry Trudeau

Sherry L. Turner

Barbara and Joseph Zikmund

PACESETTER ($500-$999)

Karen Bailey-Francois

John and Laura Berman

Stuart and Laura Brush

Allison Chisolm and Peter Hansen

John Cordani

Shirley Dudley

David and Karla Grafton

Arnold and Beverly Greenberg

Rev. Donald L. Hamer, M.Div.

Rashid Hamid and Ester Sanches-Naek

Dr. Heidi Hadsell

Karen and Donald Helm

Rev. David. S. Hill

Robert B. Hoffman Sr.

Thomas C. Hofstetter

Samira Hussain

Rose Lezak and Marvin Janow

Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford

Ilona W. Kwiecien

Louise Loomis

Ian and Lesley Markham

Carolyn Stevenson and Cynthia Morse

National Association of Congregational Christian Churches

Evan and Leah Odden

Katy O’Leary and Jim Bannister

Arthur Rulnick

Lorraine Ryan

Golnar Raissi Sadeghi

Susan Sames

Robert and Anne Schmalz

Donna E. Schaper

Evelyn Sealand

The Honorable Alvin Thompson and Lesley Morgan-Thompson

Joanne T. White

Don and Ellen Williams

INVESTOR ($250-$499)

Elizabeth and Kenneth Allen

Courtney and Anne Bourns

James Kowalski and Anne Brewer

Margaret Capen

Dr. Ann Carlson

Sajjad B. Chowdhry

Brian and Amy Clark

Ann and James Crawford

Alice and Peter Cruikshank

Lillian F. Daniel

Rev. Michael Drake

Linda and John Eaton

Mary Louise Ertel

William Farley

Michelle Federer

Julie Fewster

Timothy Fisher

Shawn Fisher

Kenneth L. Gentili

Lisa Gordon

Ernest and Millie Harris

Alyce and David Hild

Rita Jepsen

Kathleen Kellogg

Dr. Faroque Ahmad Khan

Daniel R. Kingman

Charles Kuchenbrod and Rebecca Sielman

Janice Lautier

Rev. Dr. Robert Kendrick Loesch

Campbell Lovett

Victoria T. Murphy

Martha Rhine

Ezra and Christina Ripple

Sherrie and Keith Roberts

June C. Roy

Terry and Judy Schmitt

The Whittemore Family Fund

Roberta Witty

Jean Young

PARTNER

($100-$249)

Nancy and Jonathan Albright

Anonymous

Ivan Backer

Bettsey L. Barhorst

Reathie and LeRoy Bailey

Wanda B. Bates

Judith A. Benton

Rev. Dr. Shirlee M. Bromley

Sarah Brown

Dorothy Lovett Buckley

Rev. Hazel Anne Burnett

G. Scott Cady

Stephen and Patricia Camp

Anne* and Jackson Carroll

Mark Caruana & Paula Baggaley

Carolyn H. Cary

Caterpillar Foundation

Polly U. Champ

Richard Chun and Thelma Tau Chun

Hyon Chol Chung-To

Shannon Clarkson

Rev. J. Michael and Shannon Cobb

Malcolm and Sandy Cochran

Columbia Congregational Church

Richard and Judith Crocker

Linda A. Demikat

Maribel and Nafi Donat

The Rev. Dr. Eileen L. Epperson

Robert and Jean Ertl

Catherine Field

Karen Finn

Karl A. Fransson

James and Dianne Friedman

Richard and Ann Gallion

Walter and May-Wo Giger

Andree and Joel Grafstein

Jeanne and Peter Grandy

Anne Hardy

Paul John Hartung

Paul and Wendy Hayes

James and Faye Humphrey

Shadia Igram

Molly and Reade James

Edward and Michael Jeter

Brianna Janine Johnston

Dr. Muhammed Zubair Kareem

Linda Kelly

Gail Kinney

Robert C. Knox III

Dr. Yehezkel Landau

James Latimer

Gary and Elizabeth Lewis

Rev. Marisa Brown Ludwig

Adair Lummis

Jean Amos Lys

Samsiah Abdul Majid

John and Elizabeth Martiner

Gary and Lori Mongillo

Meliani Endang Murtiningsih

James and Sharon Nelson

Ann Gail B. Nichols

Rev. Dr. Marjorie E. Nunes

John and Darlene Oblak

John J. O’Neill, Jr.

Rev. Joseph L. Pace

Snehlata Patel

Rev. Dr. Anna Pearson

Shyamala and Krishnan Raman

Winona Lotz Ramsay

Arthur Riihimaki

Robert and Susan Rock

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Valiyaveetil and Susie Samuel

Jennifer Schimmel

Pilar R. Schmidt

Lisa Sheble

Anne and Noa Conger Simons

Jean and Paul Simpson

Jaye Starr and Mustafa Boz

Thomas Swain

Kristen Provost Switzer

Andrew Deane Taylor

Jo Anne Y. Taylor

Sally and Allan Taylor

Scott L. Thumma

Donald S. Tingle

Union Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Ann Van Cleef

Barbara and Frank Vietze

Richard and Shirley Waddell

Gregory and Amy Welin

Nancy A. Wood

Timur Yuskaev

Andrew and Joyce Zeman

Elaine Sandler and Larry Zemel

William and Janet Zito

*Deceased

HIU BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rev. Dr. Dean Ahlberg

Senior Minister, First Church of Christ, Congregational, Redding, CT

Mr. Shakeeb Alam Co-Founder and President of East Bridge Capital Management, L.P.

Rev. Dr. Karen Bailey-Francois Minister, Second Congregational Church of Cohasset, MA

Ms. Noora Brown

Chairwoman of Interfaith and Outreach, Farmington Valley American Muslim Center Inc.; Coldwell Banker Realty

Mr. Martin L. Budd, Esq., Treasurer Retired Partner, Day Pitney, Stamford, CT

Rabbi Debra Cantor Congregation B’nai Tikvoh-Sholom, Bloomfield, CT

Ms. Allison Chisolm Principal, Choice Words/Chisolm & Co.; Wesley United Methodist Church, Worcester, MA

Mr. John Cordani Intellectual property attorney, Robinson & Cole, Hartford, CT

Mr. Thomas C. Hofstetter

Managing Director – Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors

Dr. Hossein Kamaly (Faculty Trustee) Associate Professor of Islamic Studies

Mr. Frank R.A. Resnick, Secretary

Retired Chief Financial Officer, Mandell Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center Beth El Temple, West Hartford, CT

Mr. Peter Kelly

Senior Principal, Updike, Kelly & Spellacy, PC

Ms. Nancy P. Roberts, 2nd Vice Chair

Retired President, Connecticut Council for Philanthropy, Hartford, CT; St. John’s Episcopal Church, West Hartford, CT

Mr. James K. Robertson Jr., Esq., Chair Emeritus Alumnus and Partner, Carmody & Torrance, Waterbury, CT; First Congregational Church of Watertown, Watertown, CT

Mr. Imran Eba Partner at Action Potential Venture Capital in Cambridge, MA; Principal of Ahlulbayt School for Knowledge

Dr. Joel N. Lohr President, Hartford International University

Mr. Edmund (Ted) See Retired Partner, Day Pitney LLP; St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, Hartford, CT

Ms. Clare R. Feldman, Chair

Retired Senior Vice President Citizens Bank

The Rev. Jean Amos Lys Alumni representative; Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist

Mr. Naseem Shaikh, 1st Vice Chair

Retired Vice President and CFO for a division of United Technologies; The Islamic Association of Greater Hartford, Berlin, CT

Ms. Gertrude “Trudie” Prior President and General Manager, Coral World Ocean Park; Member of the Board, Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas USVI

Dr. Ali Shakibai Cardiologist

Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton (Faculty Trustee) Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations

Rev. Dr. Sheila Harvey Pastor, Union Congregational United Church of Christ, West Palm Beach, FL

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

77 Sherman Street Hartford, CT 06105-2260

www.hartfordinternational.edu

Address Service Requested