Illinois Great Rivers Conference 2025 Journal-Yearbook
population serving the worldwide church. In Fall 2024 Drew Theological School welcomed 94 new students in all degree programs, with total student enrollment (by headcount) in Fall 2024 semester being 388. Enrollment of international students at Drew increased from 120 students in Fall 2021 to 157 students in Fall 2024. This number includes students who are studying full- time in the U.S.A. on a student Visa, students who are studying online from their home country, and students in the South Korean Cohort of the Doctor of Ministry program. Drew’s interdisciplinary degree programs provide real-world apprenticeships, promote adaptive leadership skills, and encourage innovation through team-taught core courses as well as a variety of electives that integrate theological disciplines and faith practices. The Drew faculty’s shared values are infused across all aspects of the teaching, learning, and the formation of students: 1) a commitment to anti-racism; 2) gender and sexual-identity equality; 3) eco-sustainability and environmental justice; and 4) interfaith understanding and cooperation. Drew Theological School has an increase in United Methodist students, additionally, Drew has many United Methodist Global Fellows pursuing further education for ministry. UMC graduates are serving in conferences across the United States, and especially within nearby regional episcopal areas of The United Methodist Church in the annual conferences of Greater New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania, Susquehanna, Upper New York, New York, and New England. Rev. Edwin David Aponte, PhD, ThD (honorary) Dean and Professor of Religion & Culture January 10, 2025 Duke Divinity School In the fall of 2024, Duke Divinity School celebrated its 98th Opening Convocation with these words from Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric: “There are potential pulpits across this university and throughout this land. … If you are here studying how to become a pastor or a chaplain, you are a Pentecost preacher. If you are here studying to be a theologically formed social worker or health care provider, you are a Pentecost preacher. If you are here as an aspiring scholar or merely as a Christian, you are a Pentecost preacher.” Through God’s sustaining grace and faithfulness, we continue to welcome students from across the nation and around the world to be trained for ministries ranging from rural church pastorates to hospital and prison chaplains to community service leaders to theological educators. In 2024, we were joined by 224 students from 41 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as well as new students who hold either primary or secondary citizenship in 11 other countries. The Master of Divinity program gained 108 new students, including 62 residential students (up from 54 the year before) and 46 in the hybrid program. The Master of Arts in Christian Practice enrolled eight new students; the Doctor of Ministry, 39 (up from 22 last year); Master of Theology, 10; Master of Theological Studies, 27; the Doctor of Theology welcomed five new students to campus. The Certificate in Theology and Health Care welcomed five residential students to campus and 21 to the hybrid program. We are grateful that God continues to bring people with a diversity of backgrounds and gifts to Duke Divinity School. Of the new residential M.Div. students, 42 percent
234 Ministry Reports
Powered by FlippingBook