From the President‘s Desk

Dear Friends: 

Summer often invites us into rhythms of rest—of long days, lingering sunlight, and the blessed reprieve from our usual routines. Yet even as many find restoration in summer travels and moments of rest, Princeton Seminary remains teeming with energy and activity. Whether intensive language and travel courses, summer conferences, evening dinners at the Farminary, or the joyous huddles of campus planning sessions, this is a season of renewal in every sense of the word. 

At Princeton Seminary, we are continually renewing our approach to living out our mission to meet the needs of the church and the world. This means attending to our theological commitments while embracing fresh voices and new ideas.  

For instance, I am pleased to announce that, upon the recommendation of the faculty, the Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of three exceptional scholars who will join our faculty this fall. 

• Dr. Brennan Breed, MDiv ’06, appointed as Associate Professor of Old Testament (with tenure), joins us from Columbia Theological Seminary. A celebrated teacher and scholar of reception history, Dr. Breed is completing a two-volume work on sapiential literature in early Hellenistic Judea and Egypt—research that bridges ancient wisdom and contemporary witness.  
• Dr. Mahri Leonard-Fleckman, appointed as Associate Professor of Old Testament (with tenure), joins us from the College of the Holy Cross. A specialist in the languages, religions, and histories of first-millennium BCE Israel, Syria, and Iraq, her work offers critical insight into the social and political world of the Hebrew Bible.  
• Dr. Simon Unger-Alvi, appointed as Assistant Professor of Modern European Christianity, arrives from the German Historical Institute in Rome. A scholar of twentieth-century theology and politics, Dr. Unger-Alvi brings global acumen and Lutheran sensibility to our study of modern Christianity’s turbulent and transformative years.  

With these appointments, Princeton Seminary continues to extend its longstanding commitment as an intellectual leader in theological research, scholarship, and teaching.  

As our faculty grows, so too does the strength of our governance. The Board of Trustees has elected new officers who officially begin their terms on July 1, 2025: 

• The Reverend Dr. Camille Cook Howe,  MDiv ’06, Pastor-Elect of Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, will serve as Chair of the Board. 
• Mr. Gordon Fowler, retired CEO of Glenmede and a nationally respected voice in faith-based investment governance, will serve as Vice-Chair. 
• Ms. Michele Minter, Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Princeton University and current Chair of the Seminary’s Advancement Committee, will serve as Secretary. 

Each brings theological conviction, strategic vision, and a deep commitment to this learning community in service of Christ’s church. I am grateful for their willingness to lead during such a critical and challenging moment in higher education. Their combined wisdom and vision will help steward this institution as we seek to affirm our rich Reformed tradition while navigating this season of faithful innovation.   

Please join me in welcoming our new faculty colleagues and congratulating our newly elected Board officers. I am deeply grateful for their presence among us, and I look forward to the year ahead with great hope and holy anticipation. 

As we approach the holiday weekend, I pray for safe travels and joyful reunions for all who are on the move. May this season of sun and sabbath restore your soul and strengthen your spirit for all that lies ahead. 

One Luv,

Jonathan Lee Walton, President

“The love of God and the love of humanity are one love”—Benjamin Elijah Mays