Harvard Divinity School
Divinity School Student Government Calls On Harvard to Divest from ‘Illegal Occupation of Palestine’
The Harvard Divinity School Student Association passed a resolution Friday morning calling on the University to divest from entities involved in “violations of international law and human rights against Palestinians.”
Lowell Panel on Islamophobia and Antisemitism Canceled After Panelists Withdraw
The organizer of a Lowell House panel on Islamophobia and antisemitism canceled the event Wednesday afternoon after two of the panelists withdrew due to backlash and a lack of institutional support for the event.
Divinity School Harambee Group Hosts Screening of Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s New Docuseries
Faculty and staff from across Harvard gathered Tuesday night for a screening of Gospel, a new docuseries produced and hosted by University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Ten Stories That Shaped 2023
In 2023, Harvard had a tumultuous year. Claudine Gay’s first semester ended amid a leadership crisis as she came under fire for her response to tensions on a campus divided by the Israel-Hamas war and faced allegations of plagiarism. Harvard’s legacy and donor preferences in admissions also faced national scrutiny following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling striking down the University’s affirmative action policy. Across campus, scandal after scandal hit parts of the University. Here, The Crimson looks back at the 10 stories that shaped 2023 at Harvard.
Rabbi Wolpe Steps Down from Harvard Antisemitism Advisory Group After President Gay’s Congress Testimony
Prominent Rabbi David J. Wolpe announced that he had stepped down from Harvard’s antisemitism advisory group in a Thursday post on X, citing University President Claudine Gay’s Tuesday testimony before Congress and an ideology that “places Jews as oppressors” at Harvard.
Author Mike Jay Talks Religious and Scientific Perspectives on Psychedelics at Div School Webinar
Author and cultural historian Mike Jay discussed the role of psychedelics as a bridge between science and spirituality at a Monday webinar hosted by the Harvard Divinity School’s Center for the Study of World Religions.
NYU Philosopher Juliana Bidadanure Discusses Demonization at Harvard Divinity School Lecture
Juliana U. Bidadanure, professor of philosophy at New York University, presented her theory of demonization during a talk at the Harvard Divinity School Thursday, assessing its prevalence and impact on society.
Tennessee Representative Justin Jones Talks ‘Leading with Love’ in Harvard Divinity School Event
Tennessee State Rep. Justin Jones discussed his experiences as an activist, legislator, and minister at a Harvard Divinity School event Thursday.
Harvard Announces Study of Psychedelics in Society and Culture Following $16M Donation
Harvard will be launching a new interdisciplinary program focusing on psychedelic drugs, the University announced last week.
Harvard Divinity School Panel Provides ‘Theological Perspective’ on War in Israel and Palestine
Religious scholars called for peace in Israel and Palestine and discussed the religious context behind the war during a Harvard Divinity School panel on Wednesday.
Dean Distances Harvard Divinity School From Israel Statement Issued by Religion and Public Life Program Leaders
Harvard Divinity School Interim Dean David F. Holland distanced the institution from a statement on the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza issued by leaders of the HDS Religion and Public Life program.
Two Years Into Tenure as Pusey Minister, Potts Says ‘The Biggest Delight’ Has Been Connecting With Undergrads
For Pusey Minister Matthew Ichihashi Potts, creating a “space of belonging” in Memorial Church has remained a priority during his time as minister.
‘A Busy Season of Searching’: Beginning of Gay’s Tenure Marked by Dean Searches
Claudine Gay had not started her first day as president of Harvard when she selected Hopi E. Hoekstra to serve as the next Faculty of Arts and Sciences dean, the first in a series of consequential appointments that will allow Gay to shape the future of the University for years to come.
African American Religion Scholar Marla Frederick Returns to Harvard, Will Be First Woman to Lead Divinity School
Marla F. Frederick, a professor of religion and culture at Emory University, will serve as the next dean of the Harvard Divinity School, becoming the first woman to lead the school in its 207-year history, University President Claudine Gay announced Thursday afternoon.
Outgoing Harvard Divinity School Dean Hempton to Remain Until August as Search for Successor Continues
Harvard Divinity School Dean David N. Hempton will continue his tenure through Aug. 31 as the search for his successor continues, University President-elect Claudine Gay announced in an email to affiliates Tuesday.
Harvard Divinity School Faculty Discuss Teaching the Legacy of Slavery
A panel of Harvard Divinity School faculty reflected on the school’s ties to slavery and its responsibility to educate the next generation of religious scholars and leaders in a webinar Monday evening.
Husband Descended From Slave-Trading Family and Wife Whose Ancestors Were Enslaved Speak at HDS Event
Dain Perry, a descendant of the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history, and Constance R. Perry, whose ancestors were enslaved, discussed reparations and the legacy of slavery at a Monday Harvard Divinity School webinar.
Harvard Divinity School Professor Discusses Religion and the Movement for Reparations at HDS Webinar
Harvard Divinity School professor of African American Religious Studies Terrence L. Johnson discussed changing the conversation around reparations in a virtual lecture Monday evening.
Harvard Divinity School Senior Lecturer Discusses Role of Slavery in School’s Founding
Harvard Divinity School senior lecturer Dan P. McKanan ’89 discussed the role slavery played in the school’s founding in a lecture Monday evening.
First on Claudine Gay’s To-Do List: Picking Four New Deans
As Gay prepares to take over in Massachusetts Hall in July 2023, she is set to face the same challenge as her predecessor of filling a leadership role that oversees a key domain of the University.
Harvard Divinity School Dean David Hempton to Step Down After Decade in Role
Dean of Harvard Divinity School David N. Hempton announced Thursday he step down from the school’s helm at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, though he will continue teaching.
Harvard Graduate Council Elects Nine New Board Members
The Harvard Graduate Council elected nine students from across the University’s 12 graduate schools to fill executive board positions this week.
Harvard Graduate Council Elects New Executive Board
The Harvard Graduate Council elected Carlos A. Gonzalez Sierra, a joint-degree student at the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Law School, as its new president on Monday. Harvard Divinity School student Mayank D. Kumar will serve as vice president of the body.
Harvard Divinity School Names Five Recipients of Peter J. Gomes Honors
The Harvard Divinity School Alumni/Alumnae Council named the five recipients of its Peter J. Gomes Distinguished Alumni Honors earlier this month — a distinction named in honor of Gomes, who taught at Harvard for four decades and served as Pusey Minister of Memorial Church.
Divinity School Student Discusses Religion as a Determinant of Health
Ans Irfan, a public health expert and student at the Divinity School, discussed his project on religion as a structural determinant of health during a virtual presentation on Monday.