Iliff School of Theology

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. An average of 300–350 students attend the school each year [2]

Iliff School of Theology
TypePrivate
Established1892
AffiliationUnited Methodist Church
Location
Denver
,
Colorado
,
United States
CampusUrban
Adjoins the University of Denver’s 125 acre campus[1]
ColorsBlue
Websitewww.iliff.edu

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 forty faith traditions.[3]

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.[4]

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 Hall, built in 1892, houses part of the school

Iliff was founded in 1889 by as a seminary and school of religious studies of the University of Denver.[5] In 1892, it was named the Iliff School of Theology after John Wesley Iliff (1831–1878)[6] 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.[7] The cornerstone of Iliff Hall was laid on June 8, 1892 and construction was completed in 1893.[8] While the construction was taking place, the first classes began on September 23, 1892.[9]

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

"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." [13]

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.[14]

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."[15][16][17]

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 slated recipient of this award is Judy Shepard for her work in telling the story of her son, Matthew Shepard.

Presidents

Presidents of the Iliff School of Theology have included:[18][19]

  • 1910–1915, Harris Franklin Rall
  • 1916–1920, James Albert Beebe
  • 1921–1924, Edwin Wesley Dunlavy
  • 1925–1932, Elmer Guy Cutshall
  • 1934–1942, Charles Edwin Schofield
  • 1942–1946, Harry T. Morris
  • 1947–1952, Edward Randolph Bartlett
  • 1953–1961, Harold Ford Carr
  • 1962–1969, Lowell Benjamin Swan
  • 1969–1981, Smith Jameson Jones, Jr.
  • 1981–2000, Donald E. Messer
  • 2000–2004, David Maldonado, Jr.
  • 2004–2006, J. Philip Wogaman
  • 2006–2012, David G. Trickett
  • 2012–2013, Albert Hernandez
  • 2013–present, Thomas V. Wolfe

Notable people

Alumni

Faculty

Former faculty

References
  1. University of Denver (August 1, 2008). "University of Denver - The Look of Campus". Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2008.
  2. "About Iliff". Archived from the original on September 23, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  3. Iliff Information(November 21, 2008)."Iliff Denominations". Archived from the original on June 17, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  4. "Library Facilities". Archived from the original on May 12, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  5. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  6. Rocky Mountain News(March 1, 2008)."John Wesley Iliff Crafted Kingdom From Cattle". Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  7. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008)."Bishop Henry White Warren". Archived from the original on May 29, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  8. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (December 3, 2008)."Bishop Henry W. Warren Chronology". Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  9. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  10. Templin, J. Alton (1992). An Intellectual History of the Iliff School of Theology, 1992 Edition, Colorado: Iliff School of Theology.
  11. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (December 3, 2008)."Bishop Henry W. Warren Chronology". Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved December 3, 2008.
  12. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008)."Brief History of Iliff". Archived from the original on December 1, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  13. "Redskin". Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  14. Iliff and DU Joint Ph.D. Program (December 3, 2008)."The Joint Ph.D Program". Retrieved October 14, 2010.
  15. Rocky Mountain News (February 25, 2008)."Little Rock Nine Reunite for Iliff Events Honoring Their Historic Courage". Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  16. The Denver Post (February 23, 2008).Sherry, Allison (February 24, 2008). "In A Class By Itself". Denver Post. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  17. The Denver Post (February 18, 2008)."Fifty Years After Little Rock". Denver Post. February 18, 2008. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  18. Ira J. Taylor Library Archives (November 21, 2008)."List of Iliff Presidents". Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2008.
  19. Denver Post (May 23, 2012)."Iliff School of Theology in Denver parts ways with seminary president". Retrieved May 25, 2012.
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