Written by Dr. Aaron Hollander
In 2022, Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute piloted a new program in collaboration with the Ecclesiological Investigations International Research Network, selecting and supporting a cohort of promising graduate students in theology, ecclesiology, and ecumenical/interreligious studies, by sponsoring their participation in the 14th international Ecclesiological Investigations conference (in San Juan, Puerto Rico).
With the success of that pilot, GEII leadership are delighted to announce the selection of four new Graymoor Scholars for 2024: our second cohort of graduate students who will meet for discussion and present their original research at the 15th international Ecclesiological Investigations conference this June 26-28 (“Embodying Ecclesial Diversity,” in Chicago, IL), publish their work in Ecumenical Trends, and consult with GEII staff on the shape and future of ecumenical conversations in their institutions of theological education. This year’s Graymoor Scholars include:
David de la Fuente is currently a Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) in Systematic Theology at Fordham University. Godwilling, he will have defended his dissertation, titled “A Catholic Reception of Azusa Street’s Pentecostal Fire,” by May 2024. Dave’s research interests are in pneumatology, ecclesiology, theologies of racial justice, and the Pentecostal movement. Dave has contributed to academic journals and edited volumes on pneumatology and medicine, scripture and racial justice, and theological aesthetics. Dave is also active as a lay ecclesial minister at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, and as an Ignatian spiritual director.
Noël Grisanti is a Masters of Divinity student at Harvard Divinity School. Her work centers broadly on social justice ministry through the lens of ecclesiology. In particular, she is interested in exploring the church’s role at the intersection of economic, racial, and climate justice. She is currently pursuing ordination in the United Church of Christ.
Tom McLean is a doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven (Belgium), preparing a thesis on the sacramental theology of Edward Schillebeeckx. His research interests also include liturgical history and theology, critical and ritual theories, ecumenism, and the work of Marie-Dominique Chenu. He has published articles in Louvain Studies, Studia Liturgica and Theology.
Sam Zhai was born and raised in China, then came to the United States in 2010 for undergraduate studies at University of Southern California and earned a bachelor’s degree in physics/computer science. He then attended Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and earned two master’s degrees before joining Boston College Theology Department’s doctoral studies program, with a particular focus on Comparative Theology and Christian-Jewish Relations. He is currently working on his dissertation, which delves into Jewish and Catholic understandings of the concept of Covenant through the lens of important figures such as Joseph Soloveitchik and David Tracy.