School Notes: Yale Divinity School
July/August 2022

YDS observes bicentennial in 2022–23

Dean Greg Sterling announced that YDS will celebrate its bicentennial next academic year through events, exhibitions, a new history book, hymn, and portrait, and other activities. The theme, as chosen by a bicentennial planning committee comprising students, faculty, staff, and alumni, is “YDS 200: Reflecting on our Past, Imagining our Future.” In 1822, YDS became a distinct school at a growing Yale, Sterling noted, “setting us on a course toward becoming the school we are today.” Sterling added, “Janus-like, we will look toward the future in addition to looking back. Our conversations about the future are, to me, the most exciting part of next year’s observance. The story of Yale Divinity School is still being written and will continue to be written for generations to come.” The Divinity School has launched a new website to serve as a compendium for all information on the bicentennial observance: divinity.yale.edu/bicentennial. 

Thomas H. Troeger, 1945–2022

Thomas H. Troeger ’67, J. Edward and Ruth Cox Lantz Professor of Christian Communication at the Divinity School, died in April at age 77. A beloved teacher, preacher, minister, author, and hymnist, Troeger taught at YDS from 2005 until his retirement in 2015. Troeger came back to Yale after serving on the faculties of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (1977–1991) and Iliff School of Theology (1991–2005). A prolific author, Troeger published numerous books, essays, and articles on homiletics, liturgy, and spirituality. He was also a poet and hymnist, composing more than 50 poems and hymns. A full obituary is available on the YDS website.