THE CAMPAIGN FOR HARVARD DIVINITY SCHOOL
Toward a Third Century of Leadership in the Study of Religion HDS is poised to have an even larger impact on scholars and
RENEWING THE HEART OF THE HDS CAMPUS
leaders in the years to come. The establishment last year of the
Harvard Divinity School has enormous capacity to bring
Hackett Family Fund for One Harvard (see preceding story) will
scholars, leaders, and students together for critical discussions
strengthen the teaching of religion at Harvard College. This year,
of global religion and its influence on virtually every area of
the Campaign for HDS looks to extend the School’s ability to
human activity. But just as the School’s mission has expanded
bring religious knowledge to future leaders in all fields with the
over 200 years beyond its original ambition to investigate
establishment of new professorships and the revitalization of its
“Christian truth,” it has also exceeded the limitations of its
campus.
beloved but aging campus. In a word, the School’s teaching,
DEEPENING SCHOLARSHIP AND CURRICULUM
learning, and meeting spaces must evolve.
Harvard Divinity School seeks to add world-class scholars who
For the last 100 years, Andover Hall has been the heart of
will teach undergraduate- and master’s-level courses and provide
the School’s campus. Today, Andover must be reimagined to
leadership for our doctoral programs, which produce many of
emphasize its importance as a convening place for faculty,
the leading scholars and teachers in the study of religion. They
students, and global citizens who advance knowledge of all major
will also inform and enrich numerous academic fields across the
religious traditions and work for a better world. This means a
University, conveying the significance of the subjects to future
facility with modern conference spaces; technology that enables
generations of students, scholars, and religious leaders in the
collaboration with scholars and leaders around the world; and
following fields:
communal spaces that encourage people of all faiths to meet,
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African American Religions: Race is a charged and often
study, worship, and bridge the divides of religion and culture.
divisive issue in the United States—perhaps more so today
Additionally, if the School is to educate ethical leaders to
than at any time in the last 50 years. It is critical for HDS
address the moral imperative of our time—environmental
to add a scholar who can analyze its impact not only on
sustainability—HDS must demonstrate its own commitment
religion, but also on politics, culture, and social power. To
to the issue. The renewal of Andover Hall would dramatically
explore black life and intellectual traditions through the lenses
enhance programming and the student experience without
of theology, philosophy, history, literature, and the social
building new space or enlarging the School’s environmental
sciences, the School seeks to establish the Professorship in
footprint. And the School’s ambitious vision includes
African American Religions.
transforming the campus’s center for teaching and learning
Hebrew Bible: The texts we know today as the Hebrew Bible
into a “net zero” energy consumer by creating a building that
were written over nearly a millennium and have profoundly
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would generate more energy than it consumes.
shaped the religious life of faith communities for 2,500
Andover Hall’s renewal would improve the building, but more
years or more. They have served as a foundation not only
importantly, it would improve the quality of the experience of
for the Judeo-Christian tradition, but also for much of
those who rely on it. Its revitalization would enrich the process
Western civilization’s philosophy, ethics, art, literature, and
of learning, broaden the range of resources that support that
music. To formally recognize the significance of the study,
learning, and transform the ways the people of Harvard Divinity
interpretation, and legacy of the Hebrew Bible, secure its
School engage the world and each other. For this critical
lasting prominence at Harvard Divinity School (HDS), and
project—and to ensure a third century as the nation’s leading
augment existing resources in Jewish and Christian studies,
divinity school—HDS needs all the support, energy, and ideas
HDS seeks to establish the Professorship in Hebrew Bible.
of our alumni, friends, and advocates.
