Each fall marks the opening of a new academic year, but the fall 2024 semester will bring even more newness than usual to Candler: a new dean, a new professorship, new faculty, and new titles. As the school looks forward to the start of classes at the end of August, we welcome new and visiting faculty to Candler’s ranks and celebrate promotions of current faculty.
Jonathan Strom, professor of church history, has been appointed the Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of Candler. Read more about Strom’s appointment.
Dhruv Raj Nagar joins the faculty as Bhagawan Arnath Post-Doctoral Fellow in Jain Studies.
Geordan Hammond joins the faculty as acting associate professor of Methodist and Wesleyan studies. Learn more about Hammond.
Soren Hessler joins the faculty as assistant professor in the practice of leadership and administration.
Jennifer Quigley joins the faculty as assistant professor of New Testament.
Learn more about Hessler and Quigley.
Mark D. Jordan, Richard Reinhold Niebuhr Research Professor of Divinity, Harvard Divinity School, joins the faculty as Dean’s Professor of Christian Ethics.
Brian Blount, president emeritus of Union Presbyterian Seminary, will serve as the 2024-2025 Alonzo L. McDonald Chair in the Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. In this distinguished visiting professorship, Blount will present public lectures during the spring 2025 semester and teach a May-term course.
Along with these joining the faculty, the following faculty members have received promotions:
- Antonio Alonso has been promoted to Aquinas Associate Professor of Theology and Culture
- Danielle Tumminio Hansen has been promoted to Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Spiritual Care
- Anthony Briggman has been appointed the inaugural Dr. Andrew J. and Georgia L. Ekonomou Distinguished Associate Professor of Patristic Theology, Candler’s newest named professorship.
We look forward to the contributions these new, visiting, and continuing faculty will make to the Candler learning community.