Calling Cast Episode 09

This is the third of four episodes from the 2007 FTE Doctoral Conference hosted at Duke Divinity School. Annually, we gather our awarded fellows and distinguished faculty to provide our students with opportunities for professional development, mentoring support, and exploration of issues critical to the work and life of theological educators. In addition to the financial support FTE provides for Ph.D. and Th.D. students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, these gatherings help to provide the relational support and professional networks that students need to flourish in graduate school and beyond. Since 1999, through these programs, we have supported over 300 Ph.D. and Th.D. students from African-American, Latino, Asian-American, and Native American backgrounds, over 100 of which have completed their programs. It is also important to note that while PhD programs in the humanities in the US have a 50% dropout rate, we through our partnership with a committed community of faculty mentors and advisors, we have been able to achieve a 98% retention rate since 1999. The theme of the 2007 Conference was Teaching Religion and Theology in the 21st Century. You’re about to hear from four of our former fellows who are now teaching and, after their first few years in the profession, have some wisdom to share with younger rising scholars. This roundtable discussion on the realities of the first years in the profession is moderated by Dr. Evelyn Parker, Associate Professor of Christian Education at Perkins school of Theology at Southern Methodist University. You’ll hear reflections from: - Jalane Schmidt, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, University of Virginia - J. Kameron Carter, Associate Professor of Theology at Duke University - James Samuel Logan, Assistant Professor of Religion and African and African American Studies at Earlham College - Tammy Williams, assistant professor of theology and black church studies at Duke Divinity School