Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in search for new Dean

Berkeley Divinity School at Yale in search for new Dean

>Position Profile (pdf)

Berkeley Divinity School (BDS), the Episcopal affiliate of Yale Divinity School (YDS), announced that Berkeley is in search for a new Dean to succeed current President and Dean The Very Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Britton, who has served in that capacity since 2003.  BDS is accepting inquiries and applications for the position from now until October 31, 2013, after which date a search committee will begin its applicant review.  The position will be available on July 1, 2014.

The search committee is led by BDS Trustee The Rev. Stephen Carlsen with the close support of YDS Dean Gregory E. Sterling.  In developing a position profile, the committee was guided by Berkeley’s “working statement of vision” and by research into and analysis of the changing needs of today’s church and its congregations. 

The position profile and additional information about Berkeley are available on the web at www.berkeleydivinity.net.  All inquiries and applications (which should include a c.v. and any other supporting information), should be emailed to BDSdeansearch@gmail.com and will be held in strict confidence.

The position carries two titles:  President and Dean of Berkeley and Associate Dean of Yale Divinity School.  As such, states Rev. Carlsen, “We believe this represents an extraordinary ‘both/and’ leadership opportunity.  On the one hand, to lead a highly respected Episcopal divinity school, and on the other, to be part of the leadership of YDS with its ecumenical perspective, superb academic resources, global reach and reputation within one of the word’s finest research universities.”

Carl Anderson, Chair of the Berkeley Board of Trustees, in a letter to the Berkeley community, expressed his gratitude for Dean Britton’s eleven years with the seminary and appreciation for the Dean’s many and important contributions… “to the life of the school, the quality and qualifications of our graduates, and Berkeley’s stature and standing within YDS, Yale University and The Episcopal Church.”

Dean Britton in his announcement that his term as Dean would conclude at the end of the current academic year stated:  “It has been my great privilege to serve as President and Dean of the Berkeley Divinity School, as well as a member of the faculty and administrative team of Yale Divinity School.  To participate in their common mission – so critical to all the churches – of training the next generation of ordained clergy and lay leaders has been a rich blessing.  I give thanks to God for having the opportunity to do so, and pray that God will continue to bless and guide both Berkeley and Yale Divinity Schools in the years to come.” 

Regarding the institutional partnership between BDS and YDS, YDS Dean Gregory E. Sterling commented:  “Berkeley Divinity School is both an independent and interdependent unit of Yale Divinity School.  Its dean is responsible for BDS, but is also an Associate Dean of YDS. The relationship is a model of how a once independent school can be integrated into a large school and university.  I am grateful for the creative dynamic the partnership engenders.”

Contact for more information, press only:

Jared Gilbert
203-436-8379
jared.gilbert@yale.edu
Mail: 409 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511