Congratulations to Jonathan Stockdale (1992), who recently received tenure at the University of Puget Sound. He is editing a volume, Imagining Exile in the History of Religions, and contemplating work on a cultural history of whaling in Japan---what's the Japanese Moby Dick?, he wonders. Still up in the air is whether or not to head to Japan for his sabbatical this fall; spouse Zoe, a curator at the Tacoma Art Museum, was in Japan when the earthquakes and tsunami hit.

Congratulations to Jonathan Stockdale (1992), who recently received tenure at the University of Puget Sound. He is editing a volume, Imagining Exile in the History of Religions, and contemplating work on a cultural history of whaling in Japan---what's the Japanese Moby Dick?, he wonders. Still up in the air is whether or not to head to Japan for his sabbatical this fall; spouse Zoe, a curator at the Tacoma Art Museum, was in Japan when the earthquakes and tsunami hit.

Bob (1950) and Sue Bates presented “Remembering the Nanjing Massacre,” at DDH on May 2. In 1937, Bob’s father, Miner Searle Bates, and another 14 foreigners protected Chinese civilians against the atrocities of Japanese soldiers. Sue, Bob, who is the former Global Ministries Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific, and family returned to Nanjing to mark the 70th anniversary of the massacre.

Congratulations to House Scholar Garry Sparks, who been appointed Visiting Assistant Professor in Theology and the Humanities in Christ College (the honors college) at Valparaiso University, starting in August. He anticipates receiving his PhD from the Divinity School in June.

Laura Jean Torgerson (2002) has written "I Did Learn that in Seminary" for Fidelia's Sisters, a publication of the Young Clergy Women Project. Writing from Nicaragua where she is developing a program of popular education in theology for ministers and leaders of the church, Laura Jean reflects how her experience there "makes me appreciate even more the gift of theological education I have received."

House Scholar Santiago Piñón has been named to a tenure-track position in the Department of Religion at Texas Christian University, beginning in July. He anticipates completion of his PhD dissertation later this year. Congratulations!

Matt Rosen (2003) became Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at The Arc of DC on April 18. The organization is celebrating its 60th year of working with and for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Congratulations to Michael Swartzentruber (2007) who was called as Associate Minister, First Christian Church, Richmond, Kentucky. He began ministry there in April 2011. Michael and Rebecca Swartzentruber were in Chicago the first weekend in April so that she could take her optometry board examinations; she hopes to practice in Richmond.

Sandhya Jha (2001) gave the keynote for the 7th Annual Divinity School Ministry Conference, "Ministry: Left, Right, and In-Between," on April 15. She is the author of Room at the Table: The Struggle for Dignity and Unity in Disciples History (Chalice Press, 2009), pastor of First Christian Church of Oakland, California, and the Missional and Reconciliation Minister of the Christian Church of Northern California-Nevada. James Hoke (Head Resident) and Michael Le Chevallier (former resident) were co-chairs of the Ministry Conference. 

Joe Blosser (2005) is author of "Christian Freedom in Political Economy: The Legacy of John Calvin in the Thought of Adam Smith," a chapter in a new book, Adam Smith as Theologian, published in February by Routledge. Joe, who is a Visiting Assistant Professor at DePaul University, will receive his PhD in Religious Ethics from the Divinity School in June 2011. Congratulations!