As the 2022-2023 academic year approaches, Candler School of Theology welcomes new and visiting faculty to its ranks and celebrates promotions of current faculty.

Jonathan Calvillo joins the faculty as inaugural assistant professor of Latinx communities. Calvillo comes to Candler from Boston University School of Theology. Read more.

Geoffrey Goodman joins the faculty as associate professor.

Lahronda Little 18T 22G joins the faculty as assistant professor in the practice of spirituality and health. Little will also serve as director of the Women, Theology, and Ministry program, which she directed in an interim capacity last year.

Brett Opalinski 98T joins the faculty as assistant dean of Methodist studies and assistant professor in the practice of spiritual formation and church leadership. Opalinski comes to Candler from Christ Church United Methodist in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he served as senior pastor. Read more.

Rex D. Matthews returns to the active faculty in a yearlong appointment as the inaugural Russell E. Richey and Merle Umstead Richey Visiting Professor in Methodist and Wesleyan Studies. In this new role, Matthews will teach courses on Methodist doctrine and history, as well as upper-level electives in Wesleyan studies. Read more.

Keith Menhinick joins the faculty as visiting assistant professor of pastoral care and pastoral theology.

Ryan Nicholas Peterson joins the faculty as visiting instructor of preaching.

Candler will also welcome Christian Smith, William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, as the 2022-2023 Alonzo L. McDonald Family Chair on The Life and Teachings of Jesus and Their Impact on Culture. In this role, Smith will present public lectures on Oct. 6 and Oct. 12 and will teach the fall course “Sociology of Religion.”

Three postdoctoral fellows also join the ranks:

  • Jennifer Carlier, Louisville postdoctoral fellow
  • Collin Cornell, Provost-Candler postdoctoral teaching fellow
  • Ishmael Ruiz, Provost-Candler postdoctoral teaching fellow in Catholic Studies

Along with these new faculty members, Dean Jan Love has announced that the following faculty have received promotions:

  • Elizabeth W. Corrie has been promoted to Professor in the Practice of Youth Education and Peacebuilding
  • Musa W. Dube has been appointed William Ragsdale Cannon Distinguished Professor of New Testament
  • Susan E. Hylen has been promoted to Professor of New Testament
  • Ted A. Smith has been appointed Charles Howard Candler Professor of Divinity
  • Khalia J. Williams has been promoted to Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation

Candler will open the new academic year with Fall Convocation on Thursday, August 25 at 11:05 a.m. EDT in Cannon Chapel. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens will give the convocation address. Musa Dube and Ted A. Smith will be installed in their new chaired professorships. The event will be livestreamed on the Candler website and available for later viewing on Candler’s Vimeo channel.