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Wake Forest University School of Divinity. Office of the Dean. Bill J. Leonard Records

Finding Aid & Inventory

The Wake Forest University School of Divinity admitted its first students in 1999. This collection documents the planning and development of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and its development under its inaugural dean, Bill J. Leonard. Materials include correspondence, Implementation Committee materials, the first Board of Advisors and Board of Visitors, subject files, and audiovisual materials of speaking and School events.

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Biographical and Historical Note

Founded in 1999, the Wake Forest University School of Divinity is intentionally ecumenical and open to a variety of viewpoints. In 2011, the School offered one degree, the Master of Divinity, with dual degree offerings in law, bioethics, and counseling in conjunction with other schools of the University. It also offers a certificate in Spirituality and Health in association with the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. Graduates of the School of Divinity serve in many types of Christian ministry in addition to being pastors, in chaplaincy as well as social justice and advocacy ministries. The faculty and staff encourage a culture of learning that nurtures critical inquiry, theological reflection, and the integration of theory with hands-on impact in ministry.

The core of the Master of Divinity curriculum includes study of the Bible, pastoral care, systematic theology, church history, ethics, and spirituality. Through the Art of Ministry curriculum and multicultural immersion courses, students engage the world outside the academia as part of their theological reflection.

Bill J. Leonard is the founding dean of WFU's Divinity School. He holds a B.A. from Texas Wesleyan College, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Boston University. In 1996, he joined Wake Forest University with appointments at the School of Divinity and the Department of Religion. Leonard retired as the school's dean in 2010 but continued to teach full-time as a professor. In 2011, he was named the first James and Marilyn Dunn Chair of Baptist Studies at the School of Divinity. He continued to teach both at the school and the department of religion before retiring in 2018.

Source: http://divinity.wfu.edu/about, 2011 December 22.

Collection Overview

This collection documents the planning and development of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and its first 10 years under the leadership of William (Bill) J. Leonard. It includes background documents related to the development of the Divinity School such as those related to the School's Implementation Committee, its first Board of Advisors, the first Board of Visitors, and the Dean Search Committee. Newspaper articles, press releases, and other media materials related to the early days of the Divinity School as well as special events materials are also included. There are also some course and curriculum files and an Association of Theological Schools self-study report.

Collection Arrangement

The files have been organized into three series: Series 1. School of Divinity Study Committee materials, Series 2. Sermons and event audiovisual materials; and Series 3. Subject files.

Collection Inventory

  • School of Divinity Study Committee materials (1988-1993)
    • Divinity School Study Committee materials (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 1
    • Budget estimates (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 2
    • Correspondence (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 3
    • Drafts of Divinity School Study Committee final report (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 4
    • Establishment of the Divinity School proposal (1991-1993) Box 1 Folder 1
    • Faculty and Student Forum letters (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 5
    • Feasibility Report on establishing a Divinity School (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 6
    • Divinity School Study Committee Meeting Minutes (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 7
    • Divinity School Newspaper Articles (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 8
    • Purpose of a Divinity School article (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 9
    • Overview of Space Needs for new Divinity School (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 10
    • Student Enrollment Trends at Theological Schools (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 11
    • Divinity School Study Survey (1988-1989) Box 6 Folder 12
  • Sermons and event audiovisual materials
    • Art for Video (1 CD-R) Box 7 Item 12
    • Briars in the Cottonpatch: The Story of Koinonia Farm (VHS videocassette) (2003) Box 7
    • Bridges to Community, Inc. (1 VHS videocassette) (1996) Box 7
    • Chacour, Elias, audio recordings (2005 January) Box 7
    • "Denominational Relations" news conference, Dallas, Texas (1 VHS videocassette) (1992 October 8) Box 7
    • Divinity School video clips: Convocation, 8/31/2004, WFMY; Charles Kimball, 11/11/2004, WXII; Student Service Trips, 1/13/2005, WFMY; Leonard interview, 4/1/2005, WGHP (1VHS videocassette) (2004-2005) Box 7
    • Dunn, James M., at American Baptist Biennial (1 VHS videocassettes) (1991 June) Box 7
    • Fiddes, Paul, Ash Wednesday worship service (1 audiocassette) (2006) Box 7
    • MSNBC Hardball with Bill Moyers, WNET (1VHS videocassette) (2005 June 10) Box 7
    • New Baptist Covenant worship service recordings (7 compact discs) (2009 April) Box 7
    • North Carolina People with William Friday, Episode #3116 with Bill J. Leonard, UNC-TV (1 VHS videocassette) (2001 October 21) Box 7
    • Proceedings: The Science and Spirituality of Healing, featuring: Jonas, Wayne B.; Schlitz, Marlyn; Krucoff, Mitchell W. Edited by Chez, Ronald A. Home Moravian Church, Old Salem, N.C. (2000 October 26-29) Box 7
    • Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly Show 410 (VHS videocassette) (2000 November 3) Box 7
    • "Separation of Church and State Lecture Series," Bill J. Leonard (4 audiocassettes) (2001 January) Box 7
    • Wingate Hall proposed changes blueprints (circa 1997-1999) Folder 1
  • Subject files
    • AMERC (2000) Box 1 Folder 6
    • AMERC (2001) Box 1 Folder 7
    • AMERC (2002) Box 1 Folder 8
    • AMERC expenses (2003) Box 1 Folder 9
    • AMERC expenses (2004) Box 1 Folder 10
    • AMERC expenses (2005) Box 1 Folder 11
    • AMERC (2006) Box 1 Folder 12
    • AMERC (2007) Box 1 Folder 13
    • Articles and miscellaneous (1989-1995) Box 1 Folder 15
    • Articles about the Divinity School (1990-2002) Box 1 Folder 14
    • ATS Conference, with transcript of presentation by Leonard and Clyde Crews (2000 June) Box 2 Folder 1
    • Background documents (1996) Box 2 Folder 2-4
    • Baptist Peace Fellowship (2000 July) Box 2 Folder 5
    • Best Practices Conference (1989 October 9-10) Box 2 Folder 6
    • Blending Innovation and Tradition Conference (2001 September) Box 2 Folder 7
    • Board of Advisors: Correspondence (1991-1993) Box 2 Folder 9
    • Board of Advisors: Development (1989-1991) Box 2 Folder 8
    • Board of Advisors: Meeting (1991 September 6-7) Box 2 Folder 11
    • Board of Advisors: Meeting (1992 September) Box 2 Folder 12
    • Board of Advisors: Rosters (1990-1992) Box 2 Folder 10
    • Board of Visitors Meeting (1998 October) Box 2 Folder 13
    • Board of Visitors meeting materials (Spring 1999) Box 1 Folder 5
    • Board of Visitors meeting (1999) Box 2 Folder 14
    • Board of Visitors Initial Panel (1992) Box 2 Folder 15
    • Brochures Box 2 Folder 16
    • Brochures, mailout (1998) Box 6 Folder 17
    • Carter, Jimmy, correspondence (1997-2000) Box 2 Folder 17
    • Community Prayer Breakfast (2005 October 18) Box 2 Folder 18
    • Accreditation recommendations (1999) Box 2 Folder 19
    • Accreditation materials (2005-2006) Box 3 Folder 10-11
    • "Dunn Deals" article (2015) Box 2 Folder 20
    • Photographs (circa 1999) Box 2 Folder 21
    • Coordinating Committee (1995-2001) Box 1 Folder 16
    • Coordinating Committee materials (1995) Box 3 Folder 8
    • Proposal and related materials (1976-1989) Box 3 Folder 9
    • Courses (2001-2002) Box 1 Folder 17
    • Cuba Travel Course (2000) Box 3 Folder 1
    • Cuba Travel Course (2001) Box 3 Folder 2
    • Cuba Travel Course (3.5" computer disk) (2002) Box 3 Folder 3-4
    • Cuba Travel Course (compact disc) (2004) Box 3 Folder 5
    • Divinity newsletter (1997-1999) Box 3 Folder 6
    • Divinity newsletter (2001-2006) Box 6 Folder 18
    • "Scholarship in the Pursuit of Christian Ministry," Religions Life Forum report (2008) Box 3 Folder 7
    • Faculty positions and job descriptions (1999-2002) Box 6 Folder 19
    • First Year Colloquium syllabi (2000-2003) Box 6 Folder 20
    • Financial materials (1993-1999) Box 1 Folder 3
    • Founder's Day Convocation (2002, 2007) Box 6 Folder 21
    • Fundraising: Church donors (1995) Box 4 Folder 2
    • Fundraising: Comprehensive Constituent Development Fundraising Plan (1998-2000) Box 4 Folder 4
    • Fundraising: donor Eric Rust (1989-1992) Box 1 Folder 2
    • Fundraising: Donors (1991) Box 4 Folder 3
    • Fundraising: Feasibility Study (1988) Box 4 Folder 5
    • Fundraising: General (1994-1998) Box 4 Folder 1
    • Fundraising: Needs, Priorities, and Summary (1989-2000) Box 4 Folder 6
    • Harrelson, Walter, biographical information (1994-1995) Box 4 Folder 7
    • Harrelson, Walter, correspondence (1994-1995) Box 4 Folder 8
    • Harrelson, Walter, Divinity School materials (1994-1996) Box 4 Folder 9
    • Harrelson, Walter, service of remembrance (2012) Box 1 Folder 4
    • Hatch, Nathan O., correspondence (2005, 2007) Box 4 Folder 10
    • Hearn, Thomas, speeches (undated) Box 4 Folder 11
    • ICJS Consultation on Seminary Education (2001 May) Box 4 Folder 12
    • Implementation Committee (1989-1999) Box 4 Folder 13
    • Inaugural Convocation (1999) Box 6 Folder 16
    • Leonard, Bill J., publications (undated) Box 4 Folder 14
    • Lilly Grant Materials (2002) Box 4 Folder 15
    • Mainstream Baptist Consultations (1997-2000) Box 4 Folder 16
    • Accreditation report (2005) Box 4 Folder 17
    • National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion (1996-2000) Box 5 Folder 1
    • New Baptist Covenant (2007-2009) Box 5 Folder 2
    • New Baptist Covenant conference, President Jimmy Carter (1 DVD) (2009 April) Box 5 Folder 3
    • North American Reunion event (2000 April) Box 5 Folder 4
    • Pew Forum (2001 October) Box 5 Folder 5
    • Proposal (1989) Box 5 Folder 6
    • Resolution (1989-1993) Box 5 Folder 7
    • School of Divinity Bulletin (2009-2010) Box 5 Folder 8
    • School of Divinity Student Handbook (2004-2005) Box 5 Folder 9
    • Second International Conference on Baptist Studies (2000 July) Box 5 Folder 10
    • Third International Conference on Baptist Studies (2003 July) Box 5 Folder 11
    • University Board of Trustees materials (1977-1989) Box 5 Folder 12
    • University events, surveys, and memos (1996-2002) Box 5 Folder 13
    • University Office of Development materials (1989-1995) Box 5 Folder 14
    • University Year of Ethics and Honor (2000-2001) Box 5 Folder 15
    • Meeting agendas (2000-2002) Box 5 Folder 16
    • WFUDS Self-Study for ATS (2004 November) Box 6 Folder 13
    • Whitsett Baptist Heritage Society (1996) Box 6 Folder 14
    • Year-end reports (1989-1991) Box 6 Folder 15
    • Cooper Family Faculty Fund (2002) Box 8 Folder 1
    • Peacework Development Fund (undated) Box 8 Folder 2
    • Charles H. Revson Foundation (1997) Box 8 Folder 3
    • Wesley Theological Seminary research project (2010) Box 8 Folder 4
    • Luce Foundation publicity and correspondence (2007) Box 8 Folder 5
    • Luce planning grant (1999-2000) Box 8 Folder 6-7
    • Wabash Foundation grant materials (2001-2003) Box 8 Folder 8
    • Wabash Foundation conference (2002 June 12-17) Box 8 Folder 9
    • Wabash Foundation conference materials (2003) Box 8 Folder 10
    • Lilly Endowment Project on Vocation: Institutional environment (2002) Box 8 Folder 11
    • Library resources list (1995) Box 8 Folder 12
    • Library serials list from EBSCO (2002) Box 8 Folder 13

Summary Information

Repository
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
Creator
Wake Forest University School of Divinity.
Title
School of Divinity. Office of the Dean. Bill J. Leonard Records
ID
RG46.0.1
Date [inclusive]
1998-2010
Extent
5.36 linear feet  8 document boxes, 1 oversize folder

Administrative Information

Publication Information
Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives 2012
Revision Description
 Revised by Stephanie Bennett, Anna Hathcock, Sayeda Islam, Finley Turner 2018, 2019
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for researchers. 
Copyright
Copyright for materials resides with Wake Forest University, unless otherwise designated. Users of this collection are responsible for using materials in conformance with U.S. Copyright laws. 
Acquisition Information
A deposit from the Dean's Office, School of Divinity. 
Preferred citation
School of Divinity. Office of the Dean. Bill J. Leonard Records (RG46.0.1), Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collection and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. 

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