FTE Announces Recipients of 2017 Fellowship for Doctoral Students

The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) has selected 16 students across 13 institutions to receive a fellowship to support their PhD or ThD program in religion, theological studies or biblical studies.

The students within this class of FTE Fellows will either receive the Fellowship for Doctoral Students of African Descent or the Fellowship for Latino/a, Asian and First Nations Doctoral Students. Each recipient will be awarded a living stipend of up to $25,000 to support her or his studies past the coursework stage. Fellowship recipients will also attend the 2017 FTE Christian Leadership Forum, held May 31 - June 3, in Atlanta, GA, as a part of the award. The Forum provides opportunities to develop a community of peer support, explore issues important to leadership formation, engage in professional development and establish mentoring relationships to lead change for good within communities.

FTE is pleased to announce the following fellowship recipients:

FTE Fellowship for Doctoral Students of African Descent

  • Amaryah Shaye Armstrong, Vanderbilt University, Theological Studies
  • Brandon Thomas Crowley, Boston University School of Theology, Practical and Queer Theology
  • Earle J. Fisher, University of Memphis, African American (Religious) Rhetoric
  • Marie Green, University of St. Michael’s College, Christian Education
  • Nicole Hoskins, Drew University, Christian Social Ethics
  • Itohan Idumwonyi, Rice University, African Religions, Pentecostalism, Women and Gender Studies
  • Malith Jongkuch Kur, McGill University, Religious Studies
  • Vivian A. Laughlin, Andrews University, Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology
  • Toni Bond Leonard, Claremont School of Theology, Religion, Ethics, & Society
  • Marvin E. Wickware, Jr., Duke University, Christian Theological Studies

FTE Fellowship for Latino/a, Asian and First Nations Doctoral Student

  • Lisa Ann Dellinger, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Theology, Ethics, and History
  • Marlene M. Ferreras, Claremont School of Theology, Practical Theology and Psychology of Religion
  • Sheng-Ping Guo, Emmanuel College, University of Toronto, Global Christianity
  • Lydia Hernández-Marcial, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Hebrew Bible
  • Ekaputra Tupamahu, Vanderbilt University, New Testament and Early Christianity
  • Lis Valle-Ruiz, Vanderbilt University, Homiletics and Liturgics

“The 2017 class of FTE Fellows represent rising scholars who are making an impact in theological and religious studies and in their local communities. These Fellows are leading change for good through scholarship, advocacy and social change,” said Director of Strategic Partnerships for Doctoral Initiatives Patrick B. Reyes. “We are honored to support and walk alongside these leaders that the church, academy and world need now.”

FTE is committed to supporting rising theological educators from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups who are committed to making an impact through their teaching and scholarship. Since 1999, FTE has awarded over 550 fellowships to students of color and has maintained a 98 percent retention rate among its Doctoral Fellows. In addition to its current fellowships for dissertation stage doctoral students, FTE provides professional development opportunities for PhD or ThD students in the first two years of their studies. According to the Association for Theological Schools, in North American theological schools less than 20 percent of faculties are people of color.

FTE’s doctoral initiatives foster diversity in the academy by accelerating the successful completion of doctoral degrees among students of African, Latino/a, Asian and First Nations descent by providing financial support, a community of peers and mentors and professional development opportunities.

The Forum for Theological Exploration is committed to cultivating diverse young adults to be faithful, wise and courageous leaders for the church and the academy. FTE provides resources and a forum for young adults and students to explore their purpose and call to pastoral ministry and teaching. For more information, visit fteleaders.org/about.

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