Common Thread_Fall 2013

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The Common Thread for Moravian Theological Seminary Alumni bethlehem, pennsylvania

Welcoming New Leadership Over the past year, the Moravian community has welcomed new leadership across numerous campus offices. These individuals bring new ideas, initiatives, and skill sets that will help enrich the mission and values of the institution in valuable ways. Most notably, in July, Bryon L. Grigsby ’90 began his tenure as the 16th president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1

Academics and Innovation Bryon has published a monograph, Pestilence in Medieval and Renaissance English Literature, and co-edited a collection of essays, Misconceptions of the Middle Ages. He also served as the general editor for the online journal Medica and was one of the founding members and inaugural president of Medica: The Society for the Study of Health and Healing in the Middle Ages.

Faith and Education President Grigsby’s faith journey has been informed by the Moravians since his early adulthood. When looking for a college, Bryon, an active Methodist, was sold by Moravian’s small class size and the opportunity to play first string soccer in his freshman year. As he learned about Moravians, he came to value their commitment to learning exemplified by Comenius, the father of modern education. He also loved their openness or “liberty” in non-essentials. As he was discerning between graduate schools, Bryon visited two campuses. He trekked to Boston College, where he navigated city blocks in the midst of a snow storm. Then, he visited Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, NC, on what turned out to be a glorious spring day. In discussing his inclination towards Wake Forest with his mentor, Dr. Robert Burcaw, he was told, “You have managed to find the only two Moravian hot spots in all of America!” After earning an M.A. from Wake Forest, Bryon went on to earn his Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago, specializing in medieval literature, early modern literature, and the history of medicine. Now, his career path has brought him full circle to Bethlehem as he serves his alma mater. In Bethlehem, Central Moravian Church has been happy to welcome Bryon into membership. Bryon loves worship and attending an adult class taught by MTS Dean and VP Frank Crouch and Professor Craig Atwood.

Immediately prior to Moravian, Bryon served as senior vice president and vice president for academic affairs at Shenandoah University. Under his leadership, Shenandoah became the first environmentally friendly laptop campus, distributing MacBook Pros and iPod Touches to all incoming students. Bryon also shepherded a new first-year seminar program which provided the starting point for undergraduates to become good global citizens, and he worked on a successful $65 million capital campaign. Photo: John Kish IV

Campus Initatives and Community Involvement One of Bryon’s first initiatives is to convert Moravian to an all Mac and iPad campus. In January, Seminary faculty will be the first on campus to receive specialized training to use this technology to enhance the classroom experience. Always active in local organizations, Bryon joined the Bethlehem Rotary. The community is blessed to have this father of three children and his rescue greyhound, named Mo, adding dynamic energy to campus life.


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