GTU News

We are devastated to report that a dear member of our community, Vivian Wells, recently passed away after a battle with cancer. Vivian was a PhD student in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion and a co-leader of the GTU’s Black Students’ Caucus.

Throughout its history, the GTU has fostered hope as the cornerstone of its mission. In 2024, this commitment shone through in our efforts to equip scholar-leaders as ‘agents of hope,’ nurture interreligious dialogue, and expand innovative programming. The Agents of Hope Impact Report celebrates the transformative achievements of our faculty, students, and alums who embody hope in addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. Together, we envision a more just and compassionate future, driven by scholarship, creativity, and bold action.

The GTU’s Interreligious Chaplaincy Program recently hosted a group of scholars from the Iraqi Kurdistan Friday Prayer Council for an open discussion about religious minority expression in the US, dismantling anti-Muslim prejudice, and other key issues. The visit was organized by Dr. Kamal Abu-Shamsieh in collaboration with the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program.