Iliff School of Theology explained

Iliff School of Theology
Established:1892
Endowment:$49.42 million
Students:200
Country:United States
Campus:Urban
Adjoins the University of Denver's 125 acre campus[1]
Colors:Blue

Iliff School of Theology is a graduate Methodist theological school in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1892, the school's campus is adjacent to the University of Denver. Fewer than 200 students attend the school. [2]

Iliff is one of thirteen United Methodist Church seminaries in the United States. It also has close connections with the United Church of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, the Metropolitan Community Church, and others. Iliff's student body represents more than thirty faith traditions,[3] and Iliff aims to recruit, enroll, and retain a student body that is fifty percent Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) by the fall of 2024.[4]

The school library, called the Ira J. Taylor Library, contains the largest theological collection in the Rocky Mountain area with approximately 205,800 volumes, 60,600 microforms, and over 900 current periodical and serial subscriptions.[5]

Iliff School of Theology is accredited by Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools-Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

History

Iliff was founded in 1889 as a seminary and school of religious studies of the University of Denver.[6] In 1892, it was named the Iliff School of Theology after John Wesley Iliff (1831–1878)[7] who had wanted to establish a school for training ministers in the territory of Colorado. After he died, his wife Elizabeth Iliff Warren and her second husband, Bishop Henry White Warren, succeeded in starting the Iliff School of Theology.[8] The cornerstone of Iliff Hall was laid on June 8, 1892 and construction was completed in 1893.[9] While the construction was taking place, the first classes began on September 23, 1892.[10]

In the summer of 1900, Iliff closed for various financial and organizational reasons.[11] On August 27, 1903, Iliff School of Theology was incorporated as an independent institution, separate from the University of Denver.[12] It reopened on September 10, 1910 as a freestanding school of theology and Methodist seminary.[13]

"In 1893, Iliff School of Theology took into its library a book, given as a gift, written in Latin that is a History of Christianity. It was covered by the skin of a murdered Indian man. It was treasured by the institution and displayed for 80 years in a case outside of the Library. In 1974, under pressure from students, the book was taken out of public view and in the presence of a representative of the American Indian Movement, the skin cover was removed and repatriated. Everyone present that day were sworn to secrecy and required to sign non-disclosure agreements."[14]

In September 1981, Iliff and the University of Denver inaugurated a joint Ph.D. program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Religious and Theological Studies.[15]

Iliff has hosted a number of high-profile leaders for special events, including former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the Little Rock Nine, and others. From February 24–27, 2008, Iliff honored the Little Rock Nine in a series of events called "A Celebration of Courage."[16] [17] [18]

In 2011, Iliff established "The Courage Award." The award is given out as a means "to acknowledge and celebrate individuals or organizations whose courage, persistence, and determination has changed an unjust situation in the world." The first recipient of this award was Judy Shepard for her work in telling the story of her son, Matthew Shepard.

Presidents

Presidents of the Iliff School of Theology have included:[19] [20]

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

Former faculty

Notes and References

  1. University of Denver (August 1, 2008). Web site: University of Denver - The Look of Campus . 2008-08-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070703214604/http://www.du.edu/experience/life/look-of-campus/ . 2007-07-03 .
  2. Web site: Accreditation. Iliff School of Theology . 2022-06-11.
  3. Web site: Denominational Requirements . 2022-06-11 . Iliff School of Theology . en-US . June 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220611230041/https://www.iliff.edu/denominations/ . dead .
  4. Web site: 50 in 5 Initiative. Iliff School of Theology. 2020. Denver, CO. June 11, 2022. June 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220611225310/https://www.iliff.edu/report2020/50in5-initiative/. dead.
  5. Web site: Library Facilities . 2008-11-21 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080512074102/http://www.iliff.edu/research/facilities.php . May 12, 2008 .
  6. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  7. Rocky Mountain News(March 1, 2008).Web site: John Wesley Iliff Crafted Kingdom From Cattle. 2008-11-21.
  8. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008).Web site: Bishop Henry White Warren. 2008-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20070529104536/http://www.iliff.edu/research/archives/warren/bio.htm. May 29, 2007. dead.
  9. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (December 3, 2008).Web site: Bishop Henry W. Warren Chronology. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201113538/http://www.iliff.edu/research/archives/warren/index.htm. December 1, 2008. dead.
  10. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  11. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  12. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (December 3, 2008).Web site: Bishop Henry W. Warren Chronology. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201113538/http://www.iliff.edu/research/archives/warren/index.htm. December 1, 2008. dead.
  13. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008).Web site: Brief History of Iliff. 2008-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20081201134635/http://www.iliff.edu/research/archives/presidents/index.htm. December 1, 2008. dead.
  14. Web site: Redskin . 2019-12-11.
  15. Iliff and DU Joint Ph.D. Program (December 3, 2008).Web site: The Joint Ph.D Program. 2010-10-14.
  16. Rocky Mountain News (February 25, 2008).Web site: Little Rock Nine Reunite for Iliff Events Honoring Their Historic Courage. 2008-11-21.
  17. The Denver Post (February 23, 2008).News: In A Class By Itself. 2008-11-21 . Denver Post. Allison. Sherry. February 24, 2008.
  18. The Denver Post (February 18, 2008).News: Fifty Years After Little Rock. 2008-11-21 . Denver Post. February 18, 2008.
  19. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008).Web site: List of Iliff Presidents. 2008-11-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717054435/http://www.iliff.edu/research/archives/presidents/bio.htm. July 17, 2011. dead.
  20. Denver Post (May 23, 2012).Web site: Iliff School of Theology in Denver parts ways with seminary president. May 22, 2012 . 2012-05-25.

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