Christina Beard-Moose, Ph.D., is Newly-Appointed Chair of Department of Theology & Religious History






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For Immediate Release
Date: July 28, 2018

Columbia, S.C.-- Christina Taylor Beard-Moose, Ph.D., is the newly-appointed Chair of the Department of Theology & Religious History for Cherry Hill Seminary 

Beard-Moose has served as Cherry Hill Seminary faculty in the department since 2013. She h olds her Ph.D. in Feminist Anthropology from the University of Iowa. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Anthropology at the largest community college in the State University of New York [SUNY] system, Suffolk County Community College [SCCC]. Beard-Moose's dissertation fieldwork was in the Southeastern United States with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians during the late 1990s. Recent studies address the question of tourism as pilgrimage and the cultural phenomenon of Goddess-centered spirituality. Among her research expertise and interests are Cultural Anthropology; Cultural and Eco-Tourism; Women's Spirituality Movement; Anthropology of Religion; Thealogy; Qualitative Ethnographic Field Methods; Anthropological Theory: History of Feminist Anthropology and History of American Anthropology; Identity & Performative expressions of identity; American Indians - from peopling of the Americas to contemporary issues, with a specialty in tribes of the Southeastern U.S.

As well as bringing a fresh perspective to the department, Dr. Beard-Moose said, "I will work toward greater student activity and recruitment, which also means building community within the current student body and to new students. "

Dr. Candace Kant, Academic Dean, said, "I am thrilled that Dr. Beard-Moose, has accepted the position of chair of the Theology and Religious History department.  She brings a wonderful depth of academic knowledge, experience and wisdom."
 
Our team of chairs, David Ohringderff, Ph.D. who has been an outstanding chari of the Pastoral Counseling and Chaplaincy department (PCC) for many years, Deirdre Rogers, Ph.D. who  chairs the Ministry, Advocacy and Leadership department (MAL) and Christina Beard-Moose, Ph.D. who will chair the Theology and Religious History department (TRH), all bring outstanding leadership, academic rigor and excellence, experience and great energy to Cherry Hill Seminary. "

Originally founded as a private school in Vermont, the Seminary has operated as a nonprofit since 2007, based in South Carolina since 2008, and began offering graduate degrees in ministry and religious studies in 2009. Three students have earned their Master of Divinity, and several dozen have earned certificates, including two individuals who recently earned their Community Ministry Certificate.

Executive Director Holli Emore said, "We are fortunate to add Dr. Beard-Moose to this vital leadership team, particularly as we continue to work on our application for accreditation."

Beard-Moose assumes her new position August 1.  For more information, contact the office at [email protected] .