Adam Ployd appointed Associate Dean for Spiritual Formation

Dean Greg Sterling made the following announcement today to the Yale Divinity School community.

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Adam Ployd headshot

The Rev. Dr. Adam Ployd

I am delighted to announce a significant new addition to our senior administration. The Rev. Dr. Adam Ployd, currently the Dean of Yale’s Davenport College, will join us June 22nd as Associate Dean for Spiritual Formation. He will succeed Bill Goettler, who is retiring after 28 years of distinguished service to the Divinity School and our students.

Many of you are familiar with Dr. Ployd, who in addition to his Davenport College role serves on the YDS faculty as Lecturer in Divinity and Religious Studies. In his new role at the Divinity School, he will report to the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs as he directs YDS initiatives related to student spiritual formation, including denominational programs, worship, and programming intended to develop students’ faith and growth. Among other duties, he will also oversee curricular internship programs and community volunteer opportunities for students, as well as the student portfolio and review process.

Dr. Ployd received his Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Emory University. Prior to coming to Yale, he served as Vice Principal of Wesley House, the Methodist theological college in Cambridge, UK, and as Assistant Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis. He is the author of two books: Augustine, the Trinity, and the Church (Oxford, 2015) and Augustine, Martyrdom, and Classical Rhetoric (Oxford, 2023).

Raised in Virginia, Adam is a United Methodist deacon who has been active in the UMC, including in a local church. It is important to have an ordained individual in this role. Adam brings the sensibilities of a pastor to the role, just as Bill did. Adam has already been teaching the United Methodist History and Doctrine course that is a requirement for UMC students at YDS. He will be a real boon not only for our UMC students, but for all students headed for ministry.

Please join me in congratulating Adam on his new appointment and welcoming him to YDS on a full-time basis!