A Celebration of a New Era: The Installation of Rev. Dr. Lee H. Butler, Jr.
Iliff School of Theology celebrates The Rev. Dr. Lee H. Butler, Jr. as Iliff’s 17th President. To commemorate this momentous occasion, Iliff has organized two nights of festive, celebratory fellowship on campus and at New Hope Baptist Church.
On this first night of celebration, Iliff will host a wide range of talented artists, musicians, and performers. Notably, we welcome the Jarrett Rashad Dance Theater, a multimedia and multi discipline performance group, comprising internationally renowned independent artists and movement specialists from diverse backgrounds. Wil Alston & Kool Grooves will provide jazz-infused arrangements of classic negro spirituals and African American hymns while Selasee and the Fafa Family (African Drummers) will inspire us to move and celebrate with their joyous rhythms. Altitude, the most advanced group of the Denver Children’s Choir, conducted by Lisa Cameron, will perform college-level repertoire with precision and musicality. Rev. Dale Frederickson will share his poetry and musicality with the crowd. Of the 6 visual artists featured during this night of art, Iliff’s own and Founder and Creative Director of Savor Soul Productions, Jon Hurst, will share his African-American-inspired fine art alongside Cheryl Edwards Hargrow, a native of Brooklyn, New York, who captures texture, color, and light in her mixed media creations.
Featured Artists
Jarett Rashad Dance Theater
Wil Alston & Kool Grooves
Selasee and the Fafa Family (African Drummers)
Altitude, conducted by Lisa Cameron
Rev. Dale Fredrickson
Jon Hurst
Cheryl Edwards Hargrow
Dr. Butler comes to Iliff School of Theology from Phillips Theological Seminary where he served as the Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, and the William Tabbernee Professor of the History of Religions and Africana Pastoral Theology since July 1, 2020. He is the first African American tenured full professor and the first person of color to hold the office of VPAA and Academic Dean and serve as Acting President at Phillips. As VPAA, his responsibilities included oversight and supervision of the Associate Dean, Registrar, Recruitment, Admissions and Financial Aid, Director of Theological Field Education, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Director of Black Church Traditions Program, Dean of the Chapel, Faculty, and Dean of the Library.
Dr. Butler received his PhD and Master of Philosophy in Psychology and Religion from Drew University. He holds a Master of Theology in Pastoral Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity with a concentration in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary (now Palmer Theological Seminary), and a BA in Religion from Bucknell University.
For President Butler’s full bio, visit The Office of the President.