Following approval by the Emory Board of Trustees in December, two Candler faculty members were appointed to named professorships, academia’s highest recognition for scholarly achievement and distinction. Jennifer Ayres and Kendall Soulen were installed in their new roles at Candler’s Spring Convocation on January 16 by Emory President Gregory L. Fenves and Provost Ravi V. Bellamkonda.
Jennifer Ayres following her faculty installation at Candler Spring Convocation. Photo: Becky Stein
Jennifer R. Ayres 07G was installed as the L. Bevel Jones III Professor of Religious Education, which honors L. Bevel Jones III 46C 49T. Jones served as a United Methodist pastor in the North Georgia Annual Conference for decades, where his pastorates were epitomized by intentional community and ecumenical engagement. He was elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 1984, serving the Charlotte, North Carolina Area until his retirement in 1996. The L. Bevel Jones III Chair in the Practice of Ministry was established in recognition of Jones’ outstanding leadership in the church and community and his unstinting support of Candler.
Ayres was heralded for her globally-recognized research, exemplary pedagogy and award-winning teaching, extraordinary and creative leadership and transformational service to Candler and Emory, and her steadfast commitment to colleagues, church, and community. She has served on Candler’s faculty since 2011, and won Emory’s Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award in 2022.
Kendall Soulen following his faculty installation at Candler Spring Convocation. Photo: Becky Stein
R. Kendall Soulen 86T was installed as the Bishop Mack B. and Rose Y. Stokes Professor of Systematic Theology. Established in 2008 and named for longtime Candler faculty member and associate dean of faculty Mack Stokes and his wife Rose, the professorship honors the couple’s outstanding leadership at Candler; deep dedication to Candler, Emory University, and the church; and their determination in the Wesleyan spirit to join religion and reason. Stokes served as Candler’s first Parker Professor of Systematic Theology, associate dean of faculty for 18 years, and acting dean. In addition, he directed Emory’s Graduate Division of Religion and helped inaugurate the university’s PhD programs in theological studies in 1958. Stokes was elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church in 1972 and served the Jackson, Mississippi Episcopal Area until his retirement in 1980.
Soulen was recognized for his distinguished and field-transforming scholarship; his dedication to vibrant interfaith relations, particularly Christian-Jewish relations; his scholarship on the enduring significance of Judaism and the problem of Christian supersessionism; his devotion to teaching and mentoring master’s and PhD students; and his abundant service and commitment to The United Methodist Church and Candler.