Missiologist with focus on ecumenical and interfaith work receives combined award
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11/12/09
Williamson, Haney, and Associate VP Mary Given
Alumna Marsha Snulligan Haney has received Fuller Seminary’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Award, as well as being named the School of Intercultural Studies’ Alumna of the Year for 2009-2010. The awards were announced at Fuller’s all-seminary chapel service on Wednesday, November 11, with a luncheon held following the service in honor of Dr. Haney.
The Distinguished Alumni/ae Award, administered by Fuller’s Alumni/ae Council, is given annually to an alumna/us who is actively contributing to God’s work in the world, cycling each year between Fuller’s three schools and Horner Center for Lifelong Learning. The School of Intercultural Studies Alumna/us of the Year Award recognizes the work of an outstanding graduate of the school annually.
Haney, who earned a ThM in 1990 and PhD in 1994 from the School of Intercultural Studies, was recognized for the significant impact of her work and research in mission. She currently serves as Professor of Missiology and Religions of the World at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, and has an interest in mission studies, ecumenism, and world Christianity as well as Islam and Christian-Muslim relations. Haney has taught, preached, lectured, and engaged in theological research and led mission group tours in more than 30 countries.
“All of this work has been a wonderful joy to me,” Haney said at the luncheon. “And I have been able to do it because of the excellent education I received at Fuller.”
At the luncheon, attended by faculty members, alumni/ae, and other members of the Fuller community, Haney was given a Distinguished Alumni/ae plaque and medal by Rick Williamson (PhD ’02), chair-elect of the Alumni/ae Council. “It is encouraging to know,” he said to Haney, “that folks like you are out there on the battlefield doing such good work.”
Christina Accornero (PhD ’99), secretary of the Alumni/ae Council, sent congratulatory comments to Haney via a letter read at the luncheon. “Your continued work to engage an ecumenical community on issues of Islam and Christian-Muslim relations is so important and significant at this time,” she wrote. “I continue to be informed by your writings in the context of urban congregations in African American communities and in the area of spirituality of pastors.”
But “what has stayed with me most over the years, Marsha, is your deep love for God’s people in the toughest parts of the cities of this world,” Accornero also said. “Your heart just embraces and draws people near wherever you go. I have witnessed personally your compassionate connection with strangers, your loving and gentle conversations with students, and your unending passion for helping people move in God’s direction.”
Read an article in Fuller Focus magazine by Dr. Haney here.