The Graduate Theological Union (GTU) is pleased to welcome the Wilmette Institute to its consortium as its latest affiliate.
The Wilmette Institute is a higher educational institution offering courses in Bahá’í history, texts, and the Bahá’í approach to social transformation. Their courses facilitate consultation, action, and reflection leading to personal and collective transformation for the common good. They are committed to a diverse academic community and seek to provide innovative and transformative learning experiences for university students and others who strive to make the world more compassionate, just, and inclusive.
“I am thrilled to be sharing the news about this newly forged partnership,” said GTU President Dr. Uriah Kim. “The values and mission of the Wilmette Institute beautifully mirror the GTU’s own dedication to creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world, and I look forward to the work that our newly expanded consortium will accomplish together.”
Established in 1995, the Wilmette Institute now offers between 65 to 70 online courses per year for about 1,800 students. They intend to offer certificate programs in the coming years in addition to new courses each semester covering Bahá’í history and sacred texts, as well as a wide array of topics on sustainability, environmental ethics, peace education, countering racism, the advancement of women, and establishment of a stable and just global system.
The Wilmette Institute is now the sixth affiliate within the GTU’s consortium, which also includes eight member schools and five academic centers, making it the largest consortium of theological schools and institutes in North America.
"The Wilmette Institute is excited to affiliate with the Graduate Theological Union to offer the perspective of the Bahá'í Faith on the role of religion and spirituality in bringing about lasting social change,” said Director Robert Stockman. “We look forward to participating in the many opportunities for dialogue within the GTU family."
Starting this spring, GTU students will have the opportunity to take courses with the Wilmette Institute, beginning with Anti-Black Racism in the U.S. and Building a Unified Society taught by Drs. Gwendolyn Etter-Lewis and Chitra Golestani. Registration for the course can be found online at http://gtusonis.jenzabarcloud.com