Hamilton, NY — Rebecca S. Chopp, dean of the Yale University Divinity School, former provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University and a well-known scholar of religion and American culture, has been named the 15th president of Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y. She takes up her new duties on July 1.
‘We are thrilled that a scholar and administrative leader of Rebecca Chopp’s stature will lead Colgate at this important moment in our history,’ said John Golden, chair of the Colgate board of trustees. ‘She has proven herself a leader of unique wisdom and vision, and I and the other members of the Colgate board are looking forward to working with her to shape the university’s future.’
Colgate Trustee Howard Ellins chaired the 18-person search committee of trustees, faculty, students and staff that recommended Chopp’s appointment unanimously. Chopp, he said, ‘impressed our committee on every level. She is committed to seeing to it that Colgate students continue to receive world-class educations and that Colgate faculty thrive as teachers and researchers. She also should be a welcome presence in the national dialogue about the importance of private higher education.’
While at Emory University, Chopp oversaw two colleges of liberal arts and seven professional schools and led strategic planning in areas such as teaching and research, international affairs, university/community relations and information technology. More than 20 vice presidents, deans and vice provosts reported to Chopp, who established three priorities for their work together: strengthening the schools and establishing cross-disciplinary programs, identifying new intellectual initiatives and identifying and supporting colleagues with leadership potential.
She joined the Emory faculty in 1986 as an assistant professor in the Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion, after four years on the faculty of the University of Chicago Divinity School. She held several posts during her 15-year tenure at Emory, including director of graduate studies for the Institute of Women’s Studies, dean of faculty and academic affairs at the Candler School and Charles Howard Candler Professor of Theology.
Chopp is currently serving as dean of Yale Divinity School and Titus Street Professor of Theology and Culture. While at Yale, Chopp has led a planning effort focusing on the curriculum and on community life, expanded efforts in development and alumni affairs and reorganized the areas of finance, facilities and human resources while being active on the university budget committee.
Golden said Chopp’s accomplishments as an administrator make her an excellent choice for Colgate. ‘As a former provost and dean, she is thoroughly versed in every aspect of university operations, including curriculum and academic affairs, student life, governance, strategic planning and the role of a university in the community,’ he said.
Chopp says it would be premature to map out any strategy for her presidency, but she is looking forward to the challenge. ‘When Colgate contacted me, leaving Yale at this time was the furthest thing from my mind. Colgate is so impressive and dynamic, however, that I am compelled to accept the invitation to become president. Colgate is a leadership school in the liberal arts,’ she said. ‘Colgate provides the best of both worlds for students, with broad academic choices intertwined with a vibrant core curriculum and a host of extracurricular opportunities, Division I athletics and a beautiful setting. If you look at the alumni body’s track record of achievement, you quickly realize that Colgate creates leaders. The excellence of the faculty translates into an education that is focused on the world yet attentive to the needs of the individual student.’
Chopp follows former Colgate Provost and Dean of the Faculty Jane L. Pinchin, who served as interim president during the 2001-2002 academic year.
Chopp received her B.A. from Kansas Wesleyan University, her M.Div. from St. Paul School of Theology and her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. In recent years her research and publication has focused on changing structures and cultures of higher education, on the role of liberal arts in democratic society and on supporting faculty in teaching and research. Chopp has written numerous books and articles in the areas of women’s studies, Christian theology and the role of religion in American public life.
She has received the Alumna of the Year award from the University of Chicago Divinity School, an honorary doctorate in divinity from Lehigh University, the Alumni Achievement Award from Kansas Wesleyan University, the Distinguished Alumna Award from Saint Paul School of Theology and the Founder’s Day Award from Baker University.
Chopp has been editor of The Quarterly Review, Religious Studies Review and The Christian Century and has been a member of the editorial boards of six other journals of religious and theological studies. She was president of the American Academy of Religion and chair of Women in Leadership in Theological Education of the Association of Theological Schools. Among her many memberships in community and professional groups and associations, she is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Carnegie Foundation and has served on the Council of Information and Library Resources.
Chopp is married to Frederick H. Thibodeau. They have three sons.
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(Eds.: A digital photo is available. Please e-mail sbaker@mail.colgate.edu to request.)
REBECCA S. CHOPP
Yale University Divinity School:
Dean, 2001-
Titus Street Professor of Theology and Culture, 2001-
Emory University:
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, 1998-01
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, 1997-98
Charles Howard Candler Professor of Theology, 1996
Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, Candler School of Theology, 1993-1997
Professor of Theology, Candler School and the Graduate Division of Religion, 1993
Director of Graduate Studies, Institute of Women’s Studies, 1991-93
Associate Professor, Candler School and Graduate Division of Religion, 1989-1993
Associate Faculty, Institute for Women’s Studies, 1987
Associate Faculty, Institute for Liberal Arts, 1987
Assistant Professor, Candler School and Graduate Division of Religion, 1986-89
University of Chicago Divinity School:
Assistant Professor of Theology, 1982-86
Ph.D., University of Chicago Divinity School, 1983 (Alumna of the Year Award, 1997)
M.Div., St. Paul School of Theology, 1977 (Distinguished Alumna Award, 1991)
B.A., Kansas Wesleyan University, 1974 (Alumni Achievement Award, 1990)
Books:
Saving Work: Feminist Practices of Theological Education (1995)
The Power to Speak: Feminism, Language, God (1989)
The Praxis of Suffering: An Interpretation of Liberation and Political Theologies (1986)
Differing Horizons: Feminist Theory and Theology (co-editor, 1997)
Reconstructing Christian Theology (co-editor, 1999)
Key editorial positions:
Editor, Quarterly Review, 1998-
Theology editor, Religious Studies Review, 1989-1993
Editor-at-large, The Christian Century, 1989-1995
Key professional service:
President, American Academy of Religion
Trustee, Carnegie Foundation
Board of Directors, Scholars Press
Personal:
Married to Frederick H. Thibodeau. Three sons.