Iliff School of Theology
Encyclopedia
Iliff School of Theology is a graduate
theological
school adjoining the University of Denver
in Denver, Colorado
.
An average of 300-350 students attend the school each year in the following degree programs:
The school also offers graduate certificates in the following areas:
Iliff is one of thirteen United Methodist Church
seminaries
in the United States. It also has close connections with the United Church of Christ
, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Unitarian Universalist Association
, the Episcopal Church
, the Presbyterian Church, the Metropolitan Community Church
, and others. Iliff’s student body represents more than forty faith traditions.
The school library contains the largest theological collection in the Rocky Mountain area with approximately 205,800 volumes, 60,600 microforms, and over 900 current periodical and serial subscriptions.
Iliff School of Theology is accredited by Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
-Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
. In 1892, it was named the Iliff School of Theology after John Wesley Iliff
(1831–1878) who had wanted to establish a school for training ministers in the territory of Colorado. After he died, his wife Elizabeth Iliff Warren and her second husband, Bishop Henry White Warren
, succeeded in starting the Iliff School of Theology. The cornerstone of Iliff Hall was laid on June 8, 1892 and construction was completed in 1893. While the construction was taking place, the first classes began on September 23, 1892.
In the summer of 1900, Iliff closed for various financial and organizational reasons. On August 27, 1903, Iliff School of Theology was incorporated as an independent institution, separate from the University of Denver. It reopened on September 10, 1910 as a freestanding school of theology and Methodist seminary.
In September, 1981, Iliff and the University of Denver
inaugurated a joint Ph.D.
program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy
in Religious and Theological Studies.
Iliff has hosted a number of important leaders for special events, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Little Rock Nine, and others. From February 24–27, 2008, Iliff honored the Little Rock Nine
in a series of events called "A Celebration of Courage."
In 2011, Iliff established "The Courage Award." The http://www.iliff.edu/index/the-latest/iliff-to-honor-judy-shepard-with-courage-award is given out as a means "to acknowledge and celebrate individuals or organizations whose courage, persistence, and determination has changed an unjust situation in the world." The first slated recipient of this award is Judy Shepard for her work in telling the story of her son, Matthew Shepard
, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime. Mrs. Shepard has sense dedicated her life to replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance through education and advocacy.
Graduate school
A graduate school is a school that awards advanced academic degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned a previous undergraduate degree...
theological
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
school adjoining the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
in Denver, Colorado
Denver, Colorado
The City and County of Denver is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Denver is a consolidated city-county, located in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains...
.
An average of 300-350 students attend the school each year in the following degree programs:
- Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Master of Arts in Social Change (M.A.S.C)
- Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.)
- Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) from the University of Denver can be combined with the M.Div., M.A.S.M., and M.T.S. degrees.
- Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
- Ph.D. in Religious and Theological Studies (offered jointly with the University of Denver).
The school also offers graduate certificates in the following areas:
- Anglican Studies
- Biblical Studies
- General Theological Studies
- Pastoral & Spiritual Care
- Religion & Social Change
- United Methodist Studies
- Women & Religion
Iliff is one of thirteen United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
seminaries
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
in the United States. It also has close connections with the United Church of Christ
United Church of Christ
The United Church of Christ is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination primarily in the Reformed tradition but also historically influenced by Lutheranism. The Evangelical and Reformed Church and the Congregational Christian Churches united in 1957 to form the UCC...
, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Association , in full the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America, is a liberal religious association of Unitarian Universalist congregations formed by the consolidation in 1961 of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of...
, the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
, the Presbyterian Church, the Metropolitan Community Church
Metropolitan Community Church
The Metropolitan Community Church or The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is an international Protestant Christian denomination...
, and others. Iliff’s student body represents more than forty faith traditions.
The school library contains the largest theological collection in the Rocky Mountain area with approximately 205,800 volumes, 60,600 microforms, and over 900 current periodical and serial subscriptions.
Iliff School of Theology is accredited by Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada
The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...
and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
-Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.
History
Iliff was originally founded in 1889 by as a seminary and school of religious studies of the University of DenverUniversity of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
. In 1892, it was named the Iliff School of Theology after John Wesley Iliff
John Wesley Iliff
John Wesley Iliff, Sr. was a cattle rancher and is the namesake of the Iliff School of Theology.-Biography:He was born on December 18, 1831 in McLuney, Ohio to Salome Reed and Thomas Iliff....
(1831–1878) who had wanted to establish a school for training ministers in the territory of Colorado. After he died, his wife Elizabeth Iliff Warren and her second husband, Bishop Henry White Warren
Henry White Warren
Henry White Warren was an American Methodist Episcopal bishop and author, brother of William Fairfield Warren. He was born at Williamsburg, Mass., and graduated in 1853 at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. He taught ancient languages at Wesleyan Academy, Wilbraham, Mass. , and then entered...
, succeeded in starting the Iliff School of Theology. The cornerstone of Iliff Hall was laid on June 8, 1892 and construction was completed in 1893. While the construction was taking place, the first classes began on September 23, 1892.
In the summer of 1900, Iliff closed for various financial and organizational reasons. On August 27, 1903, Iliff School of Theology was incorporated as an independent institution, separate from the University of Denver. It reopened on September 10, 1910 as a freestanding school of theology and Methodist seminary.
In September, 1981, Iliff and the University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
inaugurated a joint Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in Religious and Theological Studies.
Iliff has hosted a number of important leaders for special events, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Little Rock Nine, and others. From February 24–27, 2008, Iliff honored the Little Rock Nine
Little Rock Nine
The Little Rock Nine was a group of African-American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. The ensuing Little Rock Crisis, in which the students were initially prevented from entering the racially segregated school by Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus, and then...
in a series of events called "A Celebration of Courage."
In 2011, Iliff established "The Courage Award." The http://www.iliff.edu/index/the-latest/iliff-to-honor-judy-shepard-with-courage-award is given out as a means "to acknowledge and celebrate individuals or organizations whose courage, persistence, and determination has changed an unjust situation in the world." The first slated recipient of this award is Judy Shepard for her work in telling the story of her son, Matthew Shepard
Matthew Shepard
Matthew Wayne Shepard was a student at the University of Wyoming who was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming, in October 1998...
, who was murdered in an anti-gay hate crime. Mrs. Shepard has sense dedicated her life to replacing hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance through education and advocacy.
Presidents
Presidents of the Iliff School of Theology have included:- 1910-1915, Harris Franklin Rall
- 1916-1920, James Albert Beebe
- 1921-1924, Edwin Wesley Dunlavy
- 1925-1932, Elmer Guy Cutshall
- 1934-1942, Charles Edwin Schofield
- 1942-1946, Harry T. Morris
- 1947-1952, Edward Randolph Bartlett
- 1953-1961, Harold Ford Carr
- 1962-1969, Lowell Benjamin Swan
- 1969-1981, Smith Jameson Jones, Jr.
- 1981-2000, Donald E. MesserDonald E. MesserDonald E. Messer is an American United Methodist theologian and author, and former college and seminary president. He is known for his work to combat world hunger and HIV/AIDS....
- 2000-2004, David Maldonado, Jr.
- 2004-2006, J. Philip WogamanJ. Philip WogamanJ. Philip Wogaman is former Senior Minister at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. , and former Professor of Christian Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary Washington, D.C. , serving as dean of that institution from 1972-83. He was a professor of Bible and social ethics at...
- 2006–Present, David G. Trickett
Notable faculty
- Miguel A. De La TorreMiguel A. De La TorreMiguel A. De La Torre is a professor of Social Ethics and Latino/a Studies at Iliff School of Theology, a religious scholar, author, and an ordained minister.-Biography:...
, Professor of Social Ethics - George TinkerGeorge TinkerGeorge E. "Tink" Tinker is a prominent American Indian theologian and scholar who is the author of many articles, the books Spirit and Resistance: Political Theology and American Indian Liberation, Missionary Conquest: The Gospel and Native American Theology, and co-author of Native American...
, Clifford Baldridge Professor of American Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions
Faculty emeriti
- Vincent HardingVincent HardingVincent Gordon Harding is an African American historian and a scholar of religion and society. An activist as well, he is best known for his work with and writings about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.-Education:...
, Professor Emeritus of Religion and Social Transformation, 1981–2004 - Dennis MacDonaldDennis MacDonaldDennis Ronald MacDonald is a professor of theology at the Claremont School of Theology in California. MacDonald is known for his controversial theories wherein the Homeric Epics are the foundation of various Christian works including the Gospel of Mark and the Acts of the Apostles...
, Theology and Biblical Studies, 1980-1998. - Donald E. MesserDonald E. MesserDonald E. Messer is an American United Methodist theologian and author, and former college and seminary president. He is known for his work to combat world hunger and HIV/AIDS....
, Henry White Warren Professor of Practical Theology, 1981–2000
Notable alumni
- Daniel A. ArnoldDaniel A. ArnoldDaniel A. Arnold is an American scholar and philosopher. He is Assistant Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at the Divinity School of the University of Chicago....
, Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at the Divinity SchoolUniversity of Chicago Divinity SchoolThe University of Chicago Divinity School is a graduate institution at the University of Chicago dedicated to the training of academics and clergy across religious boundaries...
of the University of ChicagoUniversity of ChicagoThe University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. - Terrance CarrollTerrance CarrollTerrance Carroll is an American lawyer, minister, former Colorado legislator and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, the first African American ever to hold that office in Colorado...
, SpeakerSpeaker (politics)The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
, Colorado House of Representatives. - Charles S. Milligan, (Th.M.) Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at Iliff School of TheologyIliff School of TheologyIliff School of Theology is a graduate theological school adjoining the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.An average of 300-350 students attend the school each year in the following degree programs:* Master of Divinity...
- Otis Moss IIIOtis Moss IIIOtis Moss III is an African American pastor of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ who espouses black liberation theology and emphasizes reaching inner city black youth. He is married and has two children.-Youth and Education:...
, PastorPastorThe word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
of ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
's Trinity United Church of ChristTrinity United Church of ChristTrinity United Church of Christ is a predominantly black church with more than 8,500 members, located on the southwest side of Chicago. It is the largest church affiliated with the United Church of Christ, a predominantly white Christian denomination with roots in Congregationalism, which branched...
. - Andrew S. ParkAndrew S. ParkAndrew Sung Park is a Korean American Methodist theologian. Park teaches at United Theological Seminary in Trotwood, Ohio. He specializes in systematic theology, global theology, cross-cultural theology, Asian American liberation theology, Christian mysticism, and the relationship between religion...
, Korean AmericanKorean AmericanKorean Americans are Americans of Korean descent, mostly from South Korea, with a small minority from North Korea...
Methodist theologian who teaches at United Theological SeminaryUnited Theological SeminaryUnited Theological Seminary is a United Methodist seminary in Trotwood, Ohio, United States, in the Dayton metropolitan area. Founded in 1869 by Milton Wright, it was originally sponsored by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ...
in Trotwood, OhioTrotwood, OhioTrotwood is a city in Montgomery County, Ohio, United States. The population was 27,431 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is served by the Trotwood-Madison City School District...
. - Mary Ann SwensonMary Ann SwensonMary Ann Swenson is an American bishop of the United Methodist Church, elected in 1992.-Birth and Family:Mary Ann Swenson was born 8 June 1947 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She was raised and educated in Jackson, Mississippi, where she was active in Sunday School, church youth group and choir at the...
, American bishopBishopA bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the United Methodist ChurchUnited Methodist ChurchThe United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
, elected in 1992. - Carol VoisinCarol VoisinCarol Voisin is a member of the faculty at Southern Oregon University, where she teaches ethics, critical thinking, and writing. A peace activist in the Vietnam War era, she has long been active in Democratic Party politics....
, member of the faculty at Southern Oregon UniversitySouthern Oregon Universityis a public liberal arts college located in Ashland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1926, it was formerly known as Southern Oregon College and Southern Oregon State College . SOU offers criminology, natural sciences, including environmental science, Shakespearean studies and theatre arts programs...
.