Ultimately, I chose Garrett-Evangelical for several reasons. First, Garrett-Evangelical’s reputation preceded it. At least one of my undergraduate classmates pursued graduate study at Garrett-Evangelical and recommended it highly. One of the things I was seeking was a high level of academic rigor, because it is my lifelong dream to pursue doctoral studies. As I have learned from these first few weeks of “introductory” classes, academic rigor is one thing that Garrett-Evangelical has in spades.
More than just academic rigor, though, I was in search of an experience that would stretch me and expose me to different ways of thinking and seeing both God and the world.
You see, before coming to Garrett-Evangelical – in all my studies, which include three different degrees in religion or ministry related areas – I had never had a professor who didn’t look a lot like me. Eight years of Christian theological education from people that looked and talked like me. Don’t get me wrong, those were good years and I cherish the knowledge I gained from them...but I didn’t want more of the same. Instead, I wanted to hear from professors who didn’t look like me or talk like me or share a similar story with me. Again, Garrett-Evangelical has that in spades. It is obvious from even a quick look at the website.
Here in my first semester, I have two classes on campus. Both are taught by African American professors. It is challenging and exciting to engage learning from a different perspective, and I am grateful to Garrett-Evangelical for providing me the opportunity to do so. Moreover, I eagerly anticipate the years to come when more and more such opportunities will present themselves.
When I began searching for a school at which I could complete my Master of Divinity studies, I had two main standards: academic rigor and a multi-cultural learning environment. Oh, and it had to be close to home. I was concerned initially that I would have to sacrifice one or the other in order to stay close. I needn’t have worried.
Garrett-Evangelical is already proving to be just what I was looking for, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the journey holds.
Joe Boggs is a first year, Master of Divinity student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.
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