[The University of the South, Sewanee] The School of Theology, at the University of the South, is participating in an extern program for doctoral candidates from Vanderbilt University that allows them to teach in an area of their field while finishing their dissertations. In August, The School of Theology welcomed Brad Daugherty as a visiting instructor for the Advent and Easter semesters of 2012-2013.

“The Vanderbilt externship program for doctoral students is a great gift to The School of Theology,” explained the Rt. Rev. Neil Alexander, dean of The School of Theology. “It is encouraging and stimulating to both faculty and students to welcome fine young scholars into our midst. They bring fresh energy to the work of theological education, well-honed skills from their doctoral studies, and a passion for teaching that our students find enlivening. We hope that we provide a context for these scholars to grow and mature as teachers and leaders in theological education.”

Daugherty is completing a Ph.D. in historical studies in the graduate department of religion at Vanderbilt University. He is also a fellow in the Program in Theology and Practice, of which the externship is part. The program trains scholars across the theological disciplines who not only excel in their scholarly disciplines but are also teachers of people preparing for ministry. As a sort of capstone to the program, fellows are paired with institutions of theological education in an externship, giving fellows a chance to learn the craft of teaching for ministry, including aspects both in the classroom and beyond.

During this Advent term, Daugherty is team teaching with a mentor, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin King, assistant professor of Church history and director of the Advanced Degrees Program. In the Easter term, Daugherty will teach a seminar on Augustine of Hippo and North African Christianity, two topics that feature prominently in his own research.

“The combination of preparation in both an academic discipline and in teaching for ministry is rare in graduate programs; in fact, Vanderbilt was the only school that offered such a combination,” stated Daugherty. “I was attracted to Sewanee because of its clear commitment to preparing people for ministry in and to the church. It was evident that as an institution, The School of Theology had a clear sense both of its vocation and of how it was going to go about preparing people for ministry.”