The Chronicle
Fall 2012
Page 5
BECOMING A SCHOLAR:
F
ounded after World War II by
HUC-JIR President Rabbi Nelson
Glueck, Ph.D., as an American haven
for training scholars in Judaic sub-
jects, the School of Graduate Studies
(
SGS) was, from its inception, a grad-
uate degree program open to Jews
and non-Jews. Now, more than six
decades later, offering M.A. and
Ph.D. programs in Bible, History of
Biblical Interpretation, Judaism in
the Greco-Roman World, Rabbinic
Literature, Jewish Thought and
Philosophy, and the American
Jewish Experience, it continues that
mission in a 21st-century context.
We pride ourselves on the religious
and ethnic diversity of the student
body. Among our Jewish students
are a number of rabbis from North
America and Israel who aspire to
become scholars in a field of Jewish
Studies. Our Christian students,
representing various Protestant
denominations, come from towns
and cities in every region of the
U.S.; some are international
students from Europe and Asia –
countries such as Italy, Finland,
Russia, and Korea. These students,
who already hold M.A. degrees
from leading universities, colleges,
and seminaries, chose to further
their education at the SGS. This year
we welcomed our first Hindu student,
who is pursuing an M.A. in Rabbinics.
Our Ph.D. alumni, now more than
300,
teach in a variety of venues
that include seminaries, colleges,
and universities worldwide. Recent
graduates hold professorial positions
at institutions such as Xavier Univer-
sity, Boston College, Biola University,
Columbia International University,
and Franklin Marshall College. One
alumna, Kristine Garroway, is on
our Bible faculty in Los Angeles,
continuing the long history of SGS
alumni on our faculty.
Our Ph.D. alumni are prolific scholars,
contributing a wealth of scholarly
writings in the diverse fields of Judaic
and cognate studies. Several new
books in the Eisenbrauns series:
History, Archaeology, and Culture of
the Levant
are authored by recent
doctoral degree graduates, including
Kenneth Way ’06, Angela Roskop
‘08,
and Jeffrey Cooley ‘06. Our
prolific alumni publications are
detailed in the semi-annual SGS
newsletter
Kol Hadash.
As the Book of Proverbs proclaims
in its opening lines:
vbhc hrnht ihcvk rxunu vnfj ,gsk
“
For learning wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of discern-
ment (1:2)”
These precepts have been and
continue to be central to the mission
of our School of Graduate Studies.
C
incinnati-native
Brian Gault, Ph.D. ’12
(
with Dr. Nili S. Fox
on right) came to HUC-JIR because of the school’s strong
reputation for training scholars in Hebrew Bible and Ancient
Near Eastern Studies. He explains, “I cannot overstate the
strength and value of my education here. The philological
focus of my studies at HUC-JIR, as well as various courses
in the history and archaeology of Near East, have provided
a strong base for my future writing and teaching on the He-
brew Bible.” Gault participated in HUC-JIR’s graduate student
summer archaeology seminar in Israel in 2006 and wrote his
dissertation on the metaphoric language employed to describe
the lovers’ bodies in Song of Songs. He reflects, “Throughout
my career at HUC-JIR, my advisors have provided valuable
feedback on my research projects. From course papers and conference presentations to my dissertation research, numerous
faculty members have been willing to read my essays and help sharpen my ideas, which ultimately led to a handful of publi-
cations. The unique opportunity to interact with rabbinical students, both as fellow students and pupils, has provided me
with a deeper understanding of Reform Judaism.” Gault will carry these experiences forward as Assistant Professor of
Hebrew and Old Testament in the Seminary and School of Ministry at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC.
Two of our Ph.D. students, who
received their intermediary Master
of Philosophy in Judaic, Hebraic, and
Cognate Studies at Graduation this
June, showcase student diversity, yet
also similarity. Born in the same year,
Reverend Vanessa Ward
and
Rabbi
Audrey Korotkin ’99,
are of distinct
backgrounds – Vanessa is African-
American and a Baptist minister; Audrey is of European descent and a rabbi
ordained at HUC-JIR. Both are currently serving congregations as clergy.
What inspired these women to pursue a Ph.D. at HUC-JIR?
Ward:
“
My aspiration is to attain scholarly competencies that allow me
to dialogue with those who wrote the scholarship I refer to in my teaching
and preaching. The College-Institute has a rigorous scholarly tradition.”
Korotkin:
“
I want to be part of the centuries old rabbinical conversation,
a Reform scholarly voice. Where are Reform Jewish scholars going to come
from if not from HUC-JIR?”
Reverend Vanessa Ward
and Rabbi Audrey Korotkin ‘99
Diversity at the 21st-Century School
of Graduate Studies, HUC-JIR/Cincinnati
Dr. Nili S. Fox,
Director, School of Graduate Studies, HUC-JIR/Cincinnati
