Inaugural cohort welcomed into new Dean’s Emeriti Circle

Nine distinguished members of YDS Dean’s Advisory Council were celebrated recently as inaugural members of the new Dean’s Emeriti Circle (DEC). Established by Dean Greg Sterling in April, the DEC supports the development of YDS as the world’s foremost center for preparing responsible leaders for churches, the academy, and the world, and promoting Yale University as a leading site for research and debate on religion and human well-being.

Four of the new DEC members were present at the Dean’s Advisory Council meeting April 23-24: William Bell, Chris Sawyer, Sam Croll, and Ron Evans.

DEC Membership is composed of exiting members of the Dean’s Advisory Council (DAC) who served for a minimum of nine years and distinguished themselves through their service to YDS. The DEC is an honorific recognition of DAC members who have made outstanding contributions and a means to maintain a connection with them. 

Also at the April DAC meeting, four new members were welcomed to the Advisory Council: Olga Hartwell ’85 B.A.’19 M.Div., Jeffrey Small, Jr. ’89 B.A., John Oden, and Samuel Candler ’82 M.Div. 

The DAC supports the Dean’s initiatives and is composed of diverse and distinguished members, including national and international faith leaders as well as leaders from the business, professional, academic, and non-governmental sectors, including YDS alumni, Yale alumni, and friends of the University.

===

The inaugural members of the Dean’s Emeriti Circle are:

William R. Bell, Jr. ’07 M.Div.
Tim Collins ’82 M.B.A. 
Samuel W. Croll, III ’75 M.A.R., DEC Chair (also DAC Chair Emeritus)
Ronald T. Evans ’70 B.D.
Nora Gallagher
Roberto Goizueta ’76 B.A.
Elizabeth Johnson ’84 M.Div.
Kibbie Laird ’97 M.Div.
Christopher Sawyer ’75 M.Div. (also DAC Chair Emeritus)

A full list of Dean’s Advisory Council members is available here.