Graduate Theological Union

2025-09-29T18:29:38Z

2600:1702:3AD0:5110:F49D:8EAD:7178:1DEA: /* Academic deans */

{{Short description|Group of private American theological schools}}
{{Primary sources|date=October 2017}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2025}}
{{Infobox university
| name = Graduate Theological Union
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| image = Graduate Theological Union seal.svg
| image_upright = 0.8
| image_alt =
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| motto = "Abundant Pathways. Intersecting Perspectives. Transformative Impact."
| motto_lang =
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| established = {{start date and age|1962}} 
| closed = 
| type = [[Private School|Private]]
| parent =
| affiliation =
| religious_affiliation = Ecumenical and Multireligious
| academic_affiliation = [[Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada]]
| endowment = $48.7 million (2020)<ref>As of June 30, 2020. {{cite report |url=https://www.nacubo.org/-/media/Documents/Research/2020-NTSE-Public-Tables--Endowment-Market-Values--FINAL-FEBRUARY-19-2021.ashx |title=U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 |publisher=National Association of College and University Business Officers and [[TIAA]] |date=February 19, 2021 |access-date=February 21, 2021}}</ref>
| budget =
| officer_in_charge =
| chairman = William Glenn
| chairperson =
| chancellor =
| president = [[Uriah Y. Kim]]
| rector =
| dean = Christopher Ocker (interim)
| academic_staff = 8<ref name=ATC-accred/>
| administrative_staff =
| students = 245<ref name=ATC-accred>{{cite web|title=Graduate Theological Union|url=http://www.ats.edu/member-schools/graduate-theological-union|website=Ats.edu|publisher=The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada The Commission on Accrediting|access-date=30 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527003437/http://www.ats.edu/member-schools/graduate-theological-union|archive-date=27 May 2015}}</ref>
| undergrad =
| postgrad =
| doctoral =
| other =
| city = [[Berkeley, California|Berkeley]]
| state = [[California]]
| country = U.S.
| coor = {{coord|37.875524|-122.262079|display=title,inline}}
| campus =
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| website = {{URL|www.gtu.edu}}
| logo = Graduate Theological Union logo.svg
}}

The '''Graduate Theological Union''' ('''GTU''') is a consortium of eight private independent American [[Seminary|theological schools]] and eleven centers and affiliates. Seven of the theological schools are located in [[Berkeley, California]]. The GTU was founded in 1962 and their students can take courses at the [[University of California, Berkeley]]. Additionally, some of the GTU consortial schools are part of other California universities such as [[Santa Clara University]] (Jesuit School of Theology) and [[California Lutheran University]] (Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary). Most of the GTU consortial schools are located in the Berkeley area with the majority north of the campus in a neighborhood known as "Holy Hill" due to the cluster of GTU seminaries and centers located there.

==History and administration==
Many of the GTU's constituent seminaries were established at various locations throughout the Bay Area in the early 20th or even the late 19th centuries. Because of the foundation of the University of California, several of them relocated to Berkeley and established cooperative relationships with the university. In the wake of the formation of the [[World Council of Churches]] and the [[Second Vatican Council]], Bay Area seminaries began negotiations to form a cooperative degree program. In 1962, agreement between the Berkeley Baptist Divinity School (now [[Berkeley School of Theology]]), Episcopalian [[Church Divinity School of the Pacific]], [[Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary]] and [[San Francisco Theological Seminary]] enabled for the incorporation of the Graduate Theological Union in 1962. In 1964, the [[Pacific School of Religion]], St. Albert's College (now the [[Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology]]) and [[Starr King School for the Ministry]] joined the GTU consortium. In 1966, Alma College relocated to Berkeley and was renamed the [[Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley]]. In 1968, the [[Franciscan School of Theology]] moved to Berkeley from Santa Barbara and joined the GTU consortium, although in 2013 it merged with the [[University of San Diego]], leaving the consortium and relocating to Oceanside, California. By 1971, the GTU was fully accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtu.edu/about/history|title=History of the GTU|work=Graduate Theological Union|date=7 August 2017|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>

In 1969, the GTU common library was established and the individual libraries of the seminaries were merged into one collection. In the 1970s, construction began on a [[Louis I. Kahn]]-designed building to house the GTU library. The main library building was completed in 1987 and was named the [[Flora Lamson Hewlett Library]] in honor of the Hewlett Foundation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtu.edu/library/information/library-history|title=Library History|work=Graduate Theological Union|date=9 May 2012|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>

===Presidents and academic deans===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

====Presidents====
* [[John Dillenberger]] (1967–1971)
* [[Claude Welch (theologian)|Claude Welch]] (1971–1982)
* Michael Blecker (1982–1987)
* Robert Barr (1987–1992)
* Glenn R. Bucher (1992–1999)
* James Donahue (2000–2012)
* Riess Potterveld (2013–2018)
* [[Daniel Lehmann]] (2018–2020)
* Uriah Kim (2020—present)

====Academic deans====
* Sherman E. Johnson (1962–1963)
* [[John Dillenberger]] (1963–1971)
* [[Claude Welch (theologian)|Claude Welch]] (1971–1987)
* Judith Berling (1987–1996; interim, 2016)
* Margaret Miles (1996–2001)
* Arthur Holder (2001–2016)
* [[Uriah Y. Kim]] (2017–2020)
* [[Elizabeth S. Pena]] (interim, 2020–2022)
* Jennifer Davidson (2022–2024)
* Christopher Ocker (2024–present)
{{div col end}}

The dean of the GTU is the chief academic officer. The dean also chairs the GTU's council of deans, which is composed of the academic deans of the member schools. Traditionally, deans have held the John Dillenberger Professorship in their general field of specialization. The fifth dean, Margaret Miles, was the John Dillenberger Professor of Historical Theology while the sixth dean, Arthur Holder, was the John Dillenberger Professor of Christian Spirituality. The current president, [[Uriah Y. Kim]], is the John Dillenberger Professor of Biblical Studies.

==Member seminaries, academic centers, and affiliates==
=== Consortial seminaries ===
* [[Berkeley School of Theology]] ([[American Baptist Churches USA]])
* [[Church Divinity School of the Pacific]] ([[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]])- until 1/31/26 <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://cdsp.edu/2024/01/important-announcement-from-dean-fowl/|title = Important Announcement from Dean Fowl|date = 29 January 2024}}</ref>
* [[Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology]]
* [[Institute of Buddhist Studies]] ([[Buddhist Churches of America]])
* [[Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University]]
* [[Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary]] ([[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America|ELCA]])
* [[Pacific School of Religion]] ([[United Church of Christ]], [[Disciples of Christ]], and [[United Methodist Church]])
* [[San Francisco Theological Seminary]] ([[Presbyterian Church (USA)]])

=== Academic centers ===
* Center for the Arts and Religion<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/care|title = Center for the Arts & Religion (CARe)|date = 11 August 2017}}</ref>
* Center for Islamic Studies<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/cis|title = The Center for Islamic Studies (CIS)|date = 10 August 2017}}</ref>
* Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/ctns|title = The Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences (CTNS)|date = 11 August 2017}}</ref>
* Mira & Ajay Shingal Center for Dharma Studies<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/cds|title = The Mira and Ajay Shingal Center for Dharma Studies (CDS)|date = 11 August 2017}}</ref>
* Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/cjs|title = The Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies (CJS)|date = 10 August 2017}}</ref>

=== Affiliates ===

* Center for Swedenborgian Studies<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.swedenborgianstudies.org/ |title = Center for Swedenborgian Studies at the Graduate Theological Union}}</ref>
* [[New College Berkeley]]
* [[Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/centers/paoi|title = The Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI)|date = 11 August 2017}}</ref>
* Newbigin House of Studies (now Center for Church Innovation)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/news/gtu-welcomes-newbigin-house-studies-fifth-affiliate|title = The GTU Welcomes Newbigin House of Studies as the Fifth Affiliate|date = 24 August 2020}}</ref>
* Wilmette Institute ([[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼí]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/news/gtu-welcomes-wilmette-institute-sixth-affiliate|title=GTU Welcomes Wilmette Institute as Sixth Affiliate|date=20 January 2021}}</ref>
* China Academic Consortium (CAC) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gtu.edu/centers/cac-0|title= China Academic Consortium (CAC)|date=8 June 2025}}</ref>

=== Former member seminaries ===
* [[Franciscan School of Theology]]- in 2012, FST affiliated with the [[University of San Diego]] and relocated to [[Mission San Luis Rey de Francia]] in [[Oceanside, California]]. As of 2019, FST is now located at USD in San Diego. <ref>{{Cite web |title=History and Heritage |url=https://www.fst.edu/about/history-and-heritage/#:~:text=In%201896%2C%20it%20began%20a,year%20accredited%20liberal%20arts%20college. |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=About FST |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Starr King School for the Ministry]] ([[Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalist]])- Starr King is independent as of 2020, and located in [[Oakland, California]] as of 2022. <ref>{{cite web |title=New Beginnings FAQs |url=https://www.sksm.edu/about/new-beginnings/new-beginnings-faq/ |website=Star King School for the Ministry |access-date=5 February 2023}}</ref>

==Academics==
The GTU offers the [[Doctor of Philosophy]] (Ph.D.) degree and the [[Master of Arts]] (MA) degree in cooperation with its member seminaries. GTU consortial seminaries variously offer [[Master of Theology|Th.M.]], [[Master of Divinity|M.Div.]], Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.), S.T.B., S.T.L., and S.T.D. degrees. The GTU also offers non-degree certificates in Interreligious [[Chaplain]]cy and [[Interreligious studies|Interreligious Studies]]. Ph.D. students are encouraged not only to take advantage of the academic resources available to them at the [[University of California at Berkeley]], but are also required to include a non-GTU scholar in their exams or dissertation committees. As such, students have collaborated with UCB faculty members in the anthropology, critical theory, ethnic studies, history, philosophy, sociology, etc. departments.

===Departments and certificate programs===
There are four doctoral departments, with more than 30 concentrations, encompassing the breadth of religious and theological scholarship at the GTU. The Sacred Texts and Interpretation department focuses on Hebrew Bible, New Testament, Rabbinic Literature, and studies in the sacred texts of Islamic and Hindu traditions. Historical and Cultural Studies of Religions encompasses studies in history of religions, art and religion, interreligious studies, and sociology of religion. Theology and Ethics focuses on theological and ethical reflections in the Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Hindu traditions. Other concentrations include comparative theology/ethics, philosophical theology, theology and science, and aesthetics. Religion and Practice focuses on homiletics, liturgical studies, missiology, practical theology, and religious education. The GTU also offers certificates in specialized studies.

All degree seeking students at GTU may take any classes offered at the [[University of California, Berkeley]], and have access and borrowing privileges at the [[University of California, Berkeley]] and [[Stanford University]] libraries. Only Ph.D. students have unrestricted access to registering for UCB classes (subject to approval of course instructors). Cross-registration opportunities are also available at [[Dominican University of California]], [[Holy Names University]], and [[Mills College]]. Additionally, students can participate in international exchange programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtu.edu/international-research-opportunities|title=International Research Opportunities|last=T324Admin|date=21 January 2015|website=Gtu.edu|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>

===''Berkeley Journal of Religion and Theology''===
The GTU's in-house academic journal is the ''Berkeley Journal of Religion and Theology''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gtu-bjrt.wix.com/bjrt|title=bjrt|website=Gtu-bjrt.wix.com|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref> The journal is managed by current doctoral students, although peer-reviewers include members of the consortial doctoral faculty. All issues are available free online.

==Campus==
Although the GTU consortium occupies many buildings throughout the Bay Area, only three buildings are owned by the GTU. The largest of the buildings is the [[Flora Lamson Hewlett Library]], one of the largest theological libraries in the world, with around 529,000 volumes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ats.edu/uploads/resources/institutional-data/annual-data-tables/2013-2014-annual-data-tables.pdf |title=2013–2014 Annual Data Tables |publisher=Ats.edu |access-date=2015-08-25}}</ref>

[[File:USA-Berkeley-Graduate Theological Union.jpg|thumb|The GTU's Le Conte Building]]

==Notable alumni==
* [[David Batstone]], Professor of business ethics at the [[University of San Francisco]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usfca.edu/management/faculty/david-batstone |title=David Batstone, Professor |date=29 June 2015 |publisher=University of San Francisco School of Management |access-date=13 August 2021}}</ref>
* [[Virginia Burrus]], Bishop W. Earl Ledden Professor of Religion at [[Syracuse University]]
* James Donahue, President of [[Saint Mary's College of California]] and 6th president of the GTU.
* [[Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe]], U.S. Ambassador to the [[United Nations]] Human Rights Council<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/people/eileen%20chamberlain_donahoe|title=FSI - CISAC - Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe|website=Stanford.edu|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>
*[[Heup Young Kim]], President of the Korea Forum for Science and Life, Korean Society of Systematic Theology, and Honorary Professor of Theology at [[Kangnam University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heupkim.com/bbs/view.php?id=profile_eng&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=1 |title=Untitled Document |website=www.heupkim.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711163947/http://www.heupkim.com/bbs/view.php?id=profile_eng&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=1 |archive-date=11 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Kristin Johnston Largen, President of [[Wartburg Theological Seminary]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wartburgseminary.edu/news/largen-president/|title = Announcing the Next Wartburg Seminary President|date = 14 October 2020}}</ref>
* [[Nancey Murphy]], Professor of Christian philosophy at [[Fuller Theological Seminary]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fuller.edu/faculty/nmurphy.aspx|title=Murphy, Nancey :: Faculty :: Fuller|website=Fuller.edu|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>
* [[Mark L. Poorman]], President of the [[University of Portland]].
* [[Robert John Russell]], Ian Barbour Professor of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union and Director of the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences.
* [[Gregory Sterling]], Dean of [[Yale Divinity School]] and The Reverend Henry L. Slack Dean and Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament at [[Yale University]]
* [[George Tinker]], Clifford Baldridge Professor of American Indian Cultures and Religious Traditions at [[Iliff School of Theology]]
* [[Shibley Telhami]], Anwar Sadat Professor for Peace and Development at the [[University of Maryland]]
* [[Wesley Wildman]], Professor of Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics and Founding Member of Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences at Boston University
* [[Laurie Zoloth]], Margaret E. Burton Professor at the [[University of Chicago]] Divinity School and former president of the [[American Academy of Religion]].
* [[Hamza Yusuf]], Co-founder of [[Zaytuna College]].
*Douglas E. Oakman, Professor of New Testament at Pacific Lutheran University.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Douglas E. Oakman {{!}} Division of Humanities|url=https://www.plu.edu/humanities/staff/douglas-e-oakman/|access-date=2022-01-13|website=Pacific Lutheran University|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Faculty==
The GTU draws its consortial faculty from its constituent seminaries and centers. Although faculty members are employed at their respective seminaries and centers, they commit to supervising doctoral and masters students, as well as occasionally teaching advanced GTU-wide courses.

===Notable current faculty===
* [[Christopher Ocker]], Professor of Church History at [[San Francisco Theological Seminary]] and affiliate Professor of History at [[University of California, Berkeley]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sfts.edu/academics/faculty/christopher-ocker/|title=Christopher Ocker {{!}} San Francisco Theological Seminary|website=Sfts.edu|language=en-US|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>
* [[Ted Peters (theologian)|Ted Peters]], Distinguished Research Professor of Systematic Theology at [[Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary]] and Affiliate Professor at the Ayala Center for Theology and Natural Sciences.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://gtu.edu/academics/faculty-directory/m/peters-ted-f-plts|title=Ted F. Peters|date=2012-05-08|work=Graduate Theological Union|access-date=2017-05-03}}</ref>
*[[Robert John Russell]], [[Ian Barbour]] Professor of Theology and Science and Director of the Ayala Center for Theology and Science.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtu.edu/faculty/robert-russell|title=Robert Russell|date=8 August 2017}}</ref>

===Notable former faculty===
Former faculty members include [[Naomi Seidman]], [[Daniel C. Matt]], [[David Alexander (college president)|David Alexander]], [[John Dillenberger]], and [[Roy I. Sano]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hchc.edu/academics/holycross_faculty/|title=Holy Cross Faculty - HCHC|website=Hchc.edu|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.gtu.edu/ Official website]

{{Graduate Theological Union}}
{{Berkeley, California}}
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[[Category:Graduate Theological Union| ]]
[[Category:Education in Berkeley, California]]
[[Category:Seminaries and theological colleges in California]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Alameda County, California]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges in Marin County, California]]
[[Category:Schools accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges]]
[[Category:Universities and colleges established in 1962]]
[[Category:Christian seminaries and theological colleges]]
[[Category:1962 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Affirming Christian seminaries and theological colleges in the United States]]

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Graduate Theological Union