University appoints dean of the Divinity School

After serving two years as interim dean of the Duke Divinity School, Richard Hays will serve a full term in the position, the University announced Monday.

Hays, George Washington Ivey Professor of New Testament, is the 12th dean of the Divinity School. He was selected after a six-month national search conducted by a 13-person committee. Ellen Davis, the Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology, chaired the committee, which included Divinity School faculty, administrators and others.

Hays succeeded Gregory Jones, who served as dean from 1997-2010.

"Duke Divinity School combines world-leading scholarly excellence in theological studies with a strong commitment to the training of ministerial leadership for the church. No other theological school in the world so compellingly unites learning, faith and service," Hays said in a news release Tuesday. "It is a great honor to be invited by President Brodhead and Provost Lange to continue to serve as dean. In community with our superb faculty, staff and students, I will do everything I can to lead the Divinity School forward faithfully and imaginatively."

Brodhead said Duke is lucky to have Hays continue his work as dean.

"Richard Hays embodies the union of faith and knowledge that lies at the heart of the Divinity School's mission," Brodhead said in the release. "He has led the school's broad work of scholarship and spiritual training with wisdom, devotion and imagination."

Hays' prior work as dean will help him work to drive the Divinity School forward, Lange added.

"He has already led the Divinity School in exciting directions and has implemented new programs with skill and finesse,” he said in the release. “Richard's leadership of the faculty in a period of change will be particularly welcome, as will his strong and collegial relationships with his fellow deans."