Iliff School of Theology Elects 13th President
The Iliff School of Theology's Board of Trustees has unanimously elected a new president for the United Methodist graduate school, according to a recent announcement released Tuesday.
Serving as the Denver-based school’s 13th president will be the Rev. Dr. David G. Trickett, chairperson of the board and senior fellow at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution, Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Trickett will succeed the Rev. Dr. J. Philip Wogaman, interim president, July 1.
"We are excited to have someone of Dr. Trickett's caliber join the Iliff community," said Suzy Iliff Witzler, chairperson on the Iliff Board of Trustees, in the Apr. 11 announcement. "His depth of experience - as a pastor, faculty member, transformational leader, and administrator - will serve the school well."
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In addition to his work at George Mason University, Trickett is the founder and president of The Jefferson Circle, a Fairfax, Va.-based organization working globally with many for-profit and non-profit institutions, as well as families and their foundations, to develop new models of responsibility and effectiveness in today's changing world. He also serves on the board of the JUSTPEACE Center for Mediation and Conflict Transformation, an agency of the United Methodist Church working with communities of faith seeking to educate clergy and laity in peace transformation processes. Trickett was previously the chief executive officer and a faculty member for the Washington Theological Consortium.
"As an ordained United Methodist elder, Dr. Trickett has worked in congregations from 350 to 10,000 members, and as an interfaith leader involved in global dialogue, he has worked to bring many different faith traditions together on complex issues," added Witzler. "That work has extended into the classroom. As faculty, he has taught at several theological schools, including Perkins School of Theology, Virginia Theological Seminary, Howard University School of Divinity, and the Catholic University of America. Early in his career he also was an assistant academic dean at Southern Methodist University and a campus minister and chaplain at Tulane."
According to Iliff, Trickett’s work with the United Methodist church includes serving on numerous UMC committees at district, annual conference, and jurisdictional levels; participation in the Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies; election to the World Methodist Council; and service on the denominational Genetic Science Task Force. His civic accomplishments are also far-reaching - as chairperson of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF (southeastern region), board member for the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, and as a member of the Fairfax County Public Schools Human Relations Advisory Committee.
"I'm thrilled to join the Iliff community, an extended family with a significant historic witness and a readiness to engage the future with hope and passionate commitment," commented Trickett, according to the school. "Standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, we will work together to provide education and nurture for a world sorely in need of healing and inspiration.
“I'm honored to be joining such a welcoming group of colleagues."
In addition to serving as the Iliff’s 13th president, Trickett will also serve as Professor of Ethics and Leadership.
