Currents presents the news, people, and progress of the Graduate Theological Union. Currents is distributed to alumni, faculty, students, staff, and friends of the GTU.

We Heard You!

We’ve made some changes to Currents based on what you, our readers, told us in a November 2007 survey.

Our new format will feature a more colorful 8-12 pages, printed in mid-April and mid-October. Because of technological improvements, the cost to print full color is now about the same as it was for our previous two-color Currents. You asked for and we’re going to give you stories — about alumni, current students, faculty, cutting-edge scholarship, research, and new books written by GTU faculty and alumni. Along with these offerings, we’ll share news of the GTU, and feature a Q&A column with President James A. Donahue. We’ll be sending an e-mail version of Currents to you as well as a mail version. The mail and email versions will point you to even more information, accessible at www.gtu.edu.

In this issue:

Learning to Teach to the "Big Ideas"
Journey with Danté Quick as he shares how the Preparing Future Faculty Project has impacted his teaching style and his future students.

Alumni Then and Now
Bernard Adeney-Risakotta (Ph.D. 1982) recounts his journey from rebellious agnosticism to interreligious education in Indonesia.

Torah Lishma: Study for Its Own Sake
Jhos Singer reflects on how studying for self-improvement has rejuvenated him as a religious school educator.

Student Learns the Power of Activist Filmmaking
Ryan Parker explores the far reaching possibilities of the film medium for religious institutions, especially as a catalyst for dialogue.

GTU Alum Shares $100k Grant to Research Nature and Meaning of Ultimate Reality
Kirk Wegter-McNelly (Ph.D. 2003) probes the universe for physical signs of the universe's origins and contingencies.

Planning a Legacy is a Statement of Gratitude for GTU Retiree
Winifred Barber finds way to sustain the educational institution which inspired her to reach for dreams unseen.

Bernard Osher Foundation gives $1 million to GTU Scholarship Endowment

New Books by Faculty and Alumni

In Memory, John Dillenberger (1918-2008)

Questions about the GTU, religion in the world, or ethics?

Founded by ecumenical pioneers in 1962, the Graduate Theological Union is the largest and most diverse partnership of seminaries and graduate schools in the United States. Our interfaith approach attracts leading theologians, scholars of religion, and students from around the world who are pursuing new models for interreligious collaboration in teaching, research, ministry, and service.

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We welcome your feedback! Please send comments or story suggestions to Joanne Brown and address changes to currents@gtu.edu.