The Drew Theological School professor recognized for leadership in religion and ecological studies
February 2025 – Drew Theological School is pleased to announce the appointment of Laurel Kearns as the John Fletcher Hurst Professor of Ecology, Religion and Society.
Kearns, a distinguished scholar in the field of religion and ecology, has been an integral member of Drew’s faculty for 30 years, contributing significantly to the intersection of religions and environmental studies. She recently returned from sabbatical at the University of Cologne in Germany as a fellow at the Erich Auerbach for Advanced Studies.
John Fletcher Hurst was a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the predecessor denominations of The United Methodist Church. He did his postdoctoral work in Germany, later becoming a principal at a German theological school.
In 1870, Hurst was appointed Professor of Historical Theology at Drew Theological Seminary, and became the third president of Drew University in 1873, serving until he was elected a Methodist bishop in 1880. He was one of the founders of and the first Chancellor of American University in Washington, DC.
“We in the Theological School are absolutely thrilled that Dr. Laurel Kearns was appointed as the John Fletcher Hurst Professor of Ecology, Religion and Society,” said Drew Theological School Dean Edwin David Aponte. “Like past Drew President Bishop Hurst for whom this honor is named, Dr. Kearns is an innovator and leader in her scholarship and teaching, as well as being highly influential in her service to the church, society, and the world.”
“It was an honor to return from my sabbatical to be named the John Hurst Fletcher Professor of Ecology, Religion and Society,” said Kearns. “I was delighted to learn that he too had a connection to Germany. Those are ‘big shoes’ that go with being a named professor in his honor, and I am indeed grateful to have been chosen. I learned that he was a voracious reader, and I like to think that he would have loved my office, lined with bookshelves, and even a rolling ladder to access them all.”
Kearns earned her MA and PhD from the Institute of Liberal Arts at Emory University.
She is a prolific author, writing numerous articles, chapters, and editing two volumes; the recently-published Religion and Nature in North America, co-edited with Whitney Bauman; and Eco-Spirit: Religion, Philosophy and the Earth, co-edited with George T. Cobb Professor of Constructive Theology Catherine Keller.
The Drew community congratulates Professor Kearns on this well-deserved recognition and looks forward to her continued contributions to theological education and environmental advocacy.
