Friar Becomes Professor Emeritus

at Washington Theological Union

Friar John Burkhard

The Conventual Franciscan friars recognize that God gives each and every one of us special gifts with which we enrich the world. Friar John Burkhard’s talent lies in academics. In almost 20 years, Friar John has been both a highly respected scholar in theology as well as an administrator at the Washington Theological Union (WTU). He has written several books and articles and fulfilled the role of academic dean, interim president and president at the WTU.

In May 2010, as young men and women picked up their diplomas at the WTU’s graduation ceremony in the chapel of Trinity University, Friar John received the Union’s title of Professor Emeritus. Commemorated by an official diploma, the title honours Friar John’s many accomplishments at the Union.

The Washington Theological Union

Friar John has spent nearly four decades as a theologian. In 1971, he began teaching at St. Anthony-on-Hudson Seminary, where he stayed until 1988. Further academic assignments at St. Peter’s Regional Seminary in Cape Coast, Ghana, Catholic University of America (which is located in Washington, D.C.) and several other institutions have made Friar John the excellent scholar and teacher that he is today.

The Minister Provincial of Friar John’s Conventual Franciscan Province – Friar Justin Biase – attended the ceremony during which Friar John became Professor Emeritus. In the photos of the two men taken after the ceremony, one cannot help but notice how content they look – like two persons who have heard God’s call in their lives and responded to it.

(Source of all related pictures on homepage and webpage: Conventual Franciscan Friars Immaculate Conception Province Provincialgram and www.wtu.edu.)