The School of Divinity

Research Center  

Several years ago a major grant was received from the Eli Lilly Foundation for the purpose of establishing a Research Center on the Black Church. The Center’s first project is the production of the Directory of African-American Religious Bodies. It includes a listing of all of the black religious organizations in the United States along with brief histories and vital statistics, and it will be updated on a regular basis thereafter by means of an extensive computerized database.  

It is envisioned that, in future years, the Center will support other seminal research projects by members of the faculty as well as scholars throughout the world.

Information and Services Clearinghouse  

With major funding from the Ford Foundation, the School of Divinity created an organization in 1991 to promote church based community development programs. Formally called the International Faith Community Information and Services Clearinghouse and Training Center, it has held numerous national conferences and distributed newsletters and "how to": guidelines on a variety of subjects ranging from alcohol and drug prevention, the organization of credit unions, welfare reform, tutoring, mentoring, and senior citizen care programs.

FaithVision Telecommunications Platform  

Under the aegis of the Information and Services Clearinghouse, the School of Divinity is equipped with the most comprehensive, cost effective, comprehensive telecommunications platform created to date. In collaboration with Hughes Satellite Systems, Inc., MicroAge, Inc., Hewlett Packard, and 8X8, Inc., the School has developed the capacity to do distance conferencing via analog and ISDN phone lines, the internet, and satellite transmission. Global in scope, the platform enables the School to conduct, from any of its classrooms, two way, interactive, on demand, real time, conferences and educational events throughout the world.

Convocation and Special Lectureships  

Each year the School of Divinity conducts a convocation program during the month of November. Over the years these programs have proven to be very popular, especially among the alumni. Many of the world’s most outstanding scholars, preachers, and church leaders have been featured speakers at Convocation, including Martin E. Marty, noted church historian, Howard Thurman, distinguished writer and pulpiteer, and Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa.  

The School of Divinity annually sponsors two named lectureships, the Sterling Nelson Brown Memorial Lecture and the Jesse Herman Holmes Memorial Lecture. Sterling Nelson Brown was professor of Bible Introduction and Bible History and director of Extension Work and Correspondence, Howard School of Religion, from 1892 to 1929. The lectureship is underwritten by a grant from his family. Jesse Herman Holmes was a professor of philosophy, religion, ethics, and psychology at Swarthmore College from 1900 to 1937. Through the cooperation of the Society of Friends (The Longwood Yearly Meeting) and Howard University, a chair was established in 1943 in the School of Religion. Dr. Holmes was an outspoken advocate of social and political reform.

The Feminine in Religious Traditions Lecture Series was inaugurated in 1985 with a grant from the Links, Inc., a national social and service organization. Focusing on the professional dimensions of women in the ministry, the Series has attracted some of the brightest scholars in the country and has become one of the most popular annual events at the School.

Journal of Religious Thought  

The Journal of Religious Thought was established in 1943 by the faculty. It publishes scholarly articles relating to the religious experiences of the human race. The Journal, issued twice a year, has achieved 50 years of continuous publication.

Campus Life  

An integral part of campus life at the school is the weekly worship service held in Howard Thurman Chapel. Led by faculty, students, and guests, these voluntary worship services are sources of inspiration, strength, and fellowship.

The relationship between the School of Divinity and the University’s Rankin Chapel is especially close. Faculty and students are regularly called upon to provide leadership in the Sunday worship service.  

Students are afforded opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities of the School in many ways, but especially through the Student Government Association and the School of Divinity Choir, composed entirely of students. Officers for the Student Government Association are elected during the Spring semester of each year. New members for the choir are chosen by informal auditions.

Continuing Education  

In cooperation with the Howard University School of Continuing Education, the School of Divinity offers opportunities for Continuing Education Units through participation in conferences, seminars, and consultations conducted throughout the academic year. Lay persons as well as ordained ministers are encouraged to participate. Seminars have included such topics as: “Spiritual Growth and Renewal: Can Burn-Out and Stress Be Prevented?”; “Church Construction: What You Don’t Know May Cost You;” “Women and the Synoptic Gospels: An Affirmation for Women in Ministry;” “Biblical Preaching and Critical Issues: Think Before You Preach;” “Called to Be a Deacon;” “Youth Ministry: Come Alive!”  

Gallery of Religious Art  

As part of a religious art gallery, the School of Divinity has on exhibit the André Tweed collection of Ethiopian sacred artifacts and the Constantine Youssis collection of Greek icons. Both collections provide opportunity to study religious symbols and popular piety in diverse cultures.

Office of Special Student Services  

Howard University is committed to compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, including providing special services to its disabled students such that they are able to achieve their academic goals. The Office of the Dean for Special Student Services (ODSSS) has been delegated the responsibility of providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. New students with documented disabilities are asked to complete the Self Identification of Disability (New Entrants) form upon acceptance to the University; those students acquiring documentation of a disability after initial matriculation should contact ODSSS. Students in both categories are required to submit to the ODSSS documentation of their disability and to visit the office to discuss accommodation needs. This is the first step in acquiring services.

All disabled students with documentation on file are required to come to the Office of the Dean for Special Student Services each semester after being validated to access services for that semester. During that discussion a determination will be made about the services that will be required for assistance related to each course and course-related activity.