February 21, 2023
Yale Divinity School Dean Greg Sterling today praised the leadership and contributions of retired U.S. Ambassador James Joseph ’63 B.D., who died February 17 at age 87.
Joseph was adviser to four U.S. presidents and Ambassador to South Africa from 1996 until 2000, the first ambassador in the world to present credentials to Nelson Mandela. Joseph was honored by YDS with its Lux et Veritas alumni award in 2013.
“Ambassador James Joseph embodied the values for which we stand as a school,” Dean Sterling said. “He led a life of service that affected not only many individuals but also structures in our society. We are grateful to call him an alumnus of this school.”
Born in Louisiana, Joseph earned his undergraduate degree from Southern University and his B.D.—the equivalent to today’s M.Div.—at YDS. After positions in private industry and academia, he began his government career in 1977 as Under Secretary of the Department of Interior under President Carter and later served in advisory roles in the administrations of Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush.
In 1995, Joseph was nominated by President Clinton as Ambassador to South Africa, winning confirmation in 1996.
Learn more about James Joseph’s life and career at his Historymakers profile and this interview with Sarasota magazine.