Upcoming Retirement of Dean Kelly Brown Douglas

Upcoming Retirement of Dean Kelly Brown Douglas

Categories: EDS at Union

Union announced today that the Very Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas will retire from her roles as both the inaugural dean of Episcopal Divinity School at Union (EDS at Union) and from The Bill and Judith Moyers Chair in Theology at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Union President Serene Jones shared, “Dean Kelly Brown Douglas as Dean of EDS at Union and as part of Union’s core leadership team has been instrumental in ensuring that our seminary continues its mission of providing academically excellent and socially engaged theological education. She has been a strong voice in the public square working to advance social justice and has been a mentor, spiritual guide, scholar, theologian, and teacher to a whole new generation of faith leaders seeking to advance justice. We are grateful, beyond measure, for six years of her devoted and world-transforming leadership. She will be sorely missed by all.”

Dean Douglas stated, “It has been my honor to serve in this role and to work with our incredible students and the Union community. I am proud of the work that the EDS team has accomplished over the past five years and look forward to seeing EDS at Union’s growth and development. EDS at Union plays an important role in the Episcopal Church and its witness is more needed than ever.”

“The Episcopal Divinity School has been blessed beyond measure to have had the visionary leadership of Dean Kelly Brown Douglas for last five years. She and her team have developed and executed a new and exciting vision and mission for this EDS at Union,” shared Kay Kramer, EDS at Union Board Chair. “Dean Douglas’ commitment to racial and social justice is unsurpassed. She is, and will continue to be, an inspiration to me, our board, and the wider Church. We look forward with excitement to seeing how her next chapter in life unfolds as we know she will continue to lead the Church forward in building the Beloved Community.”

The Episcopal Divinity School Board of Trustees passed a resolution celebrating Dean Douglas’ leadership and thanking her for her service. The resolution states, “Dean Douglas is a visionary and dynamic leader in and beyond The Episcopal Church, serving as a celebrated author, professor, and well-respected speaker in today’s print, broadcast, and virtual public square, speaking on racial and social justice, and other pressing theological matters,” and “the Board of Trustees of Episcopal Divinity School extends deep gratitude to Dean Kelly Brown Douglas for her scholarship, expertise, life-long passion, extraordinary leadership, faithful service, and generous contributions to advancing the quality of theological education at EDS at Union.” The full text of the resolution can be read here.

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