Student Activities and Interviews

Rachel Mallett is a first-year master of divinity student

Student Explores People, Traditions, and 'Ultimate Concern' at Harvard Divinity

March 1, 2024

“I resonate with Paul Tillich’s conception of religion as dealing with the ‘ultimate concern.’ Religion, for me, is a way of harnessing that which we are all ultimately concerned with, in both a tangible sense and a metaphysical one. In other words, we all have an inclination toward fulfillment, and it is necessary for us to feel meaningfully connected with our own life and community, whether or not we believe one thing over another.”... Read more about Student Explores People, Traditions, and 'Ultimate Concern' at Harvard Divinity

Swami Chidekananda, who joined the Hindu Monastic Fellowship Program sponsored by Harvard Divinity School, stands in front of Swartz Hall. Photo by Swami Sachidananda Saraswati

Hindu Monastic at Harvard Divinity School Lives to Learn

February 14, 2024

In many ways, Swami Chidekananda grew up as an “all-American kid.” Raised in Los Angeles, California, his father was a UCLA microbiology professor for more than 40 years, and Chidekananda made the all-star team as a shortstop in baseball. On the inside, though, he felt tension as a first-generation Indian American still very much immersed in the rich Hindu spirituality with which his mother bestowed him.... Read more about Hindu Monastic at Harvard Divinity School Lives to Learn

Suan Sonna

Former Friar Reflects on Zomi Culture and His Path to Harvard Divinity School

January 22, 2024

“I never thought that I would get into Harvard Divinity School. I still remember the morning I received my online acceptance letter. I had just woken up, unlocked my phone in spite of my blurry vision, and saw that I had an update on my application status. Thinking I had surely been rejected, I quickly checked my application only to see virtual confetti sprinkle across my screen and over my acceptance letter. I immediately told my parents the good news, and we were all thrilled.”

Suan Sonna is a first-year master of theological studies student in New Testament and Early Christianity at Harvard Divinity School.... Read more about Former Friar Reflects on Zomi Culture and His Path to Harvard Divinity School

Taylon Lancaster, MDiv '25

Student and Pastor Taylon Lancaster Creates Pathways for 'Holistic Ministry'

January 2, 2024

“I think that what the Black Church should model and what it is that I'm trying to implement at Third Baptist Church is what Dr. King coined ‘the beloved community’.”

Taylon Lancaster is senior pastor at Third Baptist Church, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a second-year master of divinity degree candidate at Harvard Divinity School. Lancaster is in the unique position of pairing his studies at HDS with lived community. He has been an interlocutor between theory and practice throughout his time at Clark Atlanta University. Currently, he seeks to expand his congregation’s vision of the gospel to include a holistic sense of ministry and inclusivity. ... Read more about Student and Pastor Taylon Lancaster Creates Pathways for 'Holistic Ministry'

Students point at multiple pieces of artwork on display on a ledge

Exploring the Divine through Abstract Art: HDS Course Bridges Spirituality and Expressionism

December 14, 2023

This interview is one in an ongoing series exploring the intersection of art and religion in HDS courses.

The Harvard Divinity School course, “Spiritual Paths to Abstract Art,” is more than just an academic exploration. Led by Ann Braude, Senior Lecturer on American Religious History at HDS, the course is a journey of generational spirituality, connection with the divine, and art-sharing as a profound experience of connection.... Read more about Exploring the Divine through Abstract Art: HDS Course Bridges Spirituality and Expressionism

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A Wicked Meaningful Rhode Island Gift Guide

December 4, 2023
"Local gifts are the best gifts. Rhode Island has so many nonprofits and small businesses which offer meaningful services, experiences, and products. They need our support year-round. And our money does way more good circulating through the local economy than going to big-box, out-of-state corporations,” said Jessica David, MDiv candidate, president of Local Return and principal of Good Worth Working For LLC.
Rajeev Persaud speaking at a microphone

A Hindu Priest on Finding His Path at Harvard Divinity School

November 17, 2023

Rajeev Persaud plans to go to law school but wanted to explore religious studies formally before pursuing a legal career. His faith has been the foundation for his life for as long as he can remember. As a practicing Hindu priest for the Guyanese community in the Greater Toronto area, he values the responsibility of performing sacred rituals, keeping the culture intact, and sharing traditions across generations.... Read more about A Hindu Priest on Finding His Path at Harvard Divinity School

Shariah Anderson standing outside or Swartz Hall

Biblical Scholarship and Kinship: An HDS Student’s Perspective

November 17, 2023

Shariah Anderson remembers being five years old when she “very consciously accepted Jesus Christ” into her life as an “ever-present friend.” As a child, she enjoyed learning more about Jesus with her family and through Scripture, where she saw Jesus as a loving safe haven. As she grew older, Anderson began taking note of how Jesus and religion were talked about in more public settings.... Read more about Biblical Scholarship and Kinship: An HDS Student’s Perspective

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