David Trickett was named today as the 13th president of the Iliff School of Theology in Denver.
Trickett is a senior fellow and chair of George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution at the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He will start at Iliff on July 1, where he will also be a professor of ethics and leadership.
An ordained Methodist elder, Trickett has taught at several theological schools.
“I have a vision for pulling (Iliff) together as a community,” Trickett said. “Iliff is important and we hope to prepare leaders to inspire and give hope.”
The appointment ends the search for a president that began after the controversial departure in May 2004 of its first Latino president, David Maldonado.
Maldonado served for four years, but retired under pressure in May 2004 after complaining that faculty leaders viewed him as too theologically conservative or moderate and “culturally different.”
Maldonado’s departure angered members of the United Methodist Church’s Hispanic/Latino caucus who called for Maldonado’s reinstatement and threatened to discourage Latino students from attending Iliff.
A United Methodist Church probe cited “institutional racism” and “white privilege” as playing a role in his departure and offered recommendations on which the school has taken action.
The findings by the church forced school officials to fix the problems or risk losing church funding.
Iliff’s board of trustees didn’t challenge the findings, but announced reforms for the school that included the hiring of an ombudsman and racial sensitivity training.
Last year, Iliff and Maldonado reached an undisclosed settlement. The agreement also called for Maldonado to serve as a special adviser to interim president Philip Wogaman and a scholarship was established in Maldonado’s and his wife, Charlotte’s name.
Trickett was unanimously elected by the Iliff board of trustees.
“His depth of experience as pastor, faculty member, transformational leader, and administrator will serve the school well,” Iliff board of trustees chairwoman, Suzy Iliff Witzler said in a statement.
Staff writer Annette Espinoza can be reached at 303-820-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com.
