Candler School of Theology embarks on its yearlong centennial celebration with an opening convocation on Thursday, August 28 at 11:05 a.m. in Cannon Chapel.

The program will feature the dedication of Phase II of the school’s building project and the installation of Robert M. Franklin Jr. as the inaugural holder of the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership.

Completed in August, the new building houses the Wesley Teaching Chapel and Pitts Theology Library, one of the top theology libraries in North America. The new library space includes areas for small-group study and seminar rooms for larger groups or classes, an 80-seat lecture hall and 1,000 square feet of exhibit space.

Candler welcomes Robert M. Franklin Jr. back to the faculty in his new role as inaugural holder of the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership. Franklin is president emeritus of Morehouse College, a former Presidential Distinguished Professor of Social Ethics at Emory, and founding director of Candler’s Black Church Studies program.

Carl R. Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament Studies, will give the convocation address.

Watch the convocation via live streaming.