Drew Theological School Celebrates the upcoming 100th birthday of the Rev. Dr. Julia Shank Dawson T’96,’08
June 2026 — Two-time Drew Theological School alum Rev. Dr. Julia Shank Dawson T’96,’08 is approaching yet another milestone in her remarkable life. On July 9, she will celebrate her 100th birthday.
Dawson’s journey to Drew was anything but traditional. By the time she was 60-years-old, Dawson had endured unimaginable loss. All three of her children died from cystic fibrosis, and shortly thereafter her husband, Chet, died from a brain tumor. Struggling to make sense of her grief, she prayed that God would somehow use her experiences to help others.
Several years later, she felt called to ministry.
Seeking guidance, Dawson turned to the Rev. Ed Clydesdale, a hospital chaplain who had become a trusted spiritual mentor. When she shared her desire to attend seminary later in life, he responded, “If you feel God calling you to use the rest of your life that way, you had better answer His call.”
At age 65, Dawson enrolled at Drew Theological School as a Master of Divinity (MDiv) student. Five years later, she graduated and began a new chapter in her life.
Following her ordination, Dawson accepted a position as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Verona, New Jersey, while also volunteering as a hospital chaplain. Soon after, an anonymous grant enabled her to join St. Joseph’s Health in Paterson, New Jersey, as a chaplain in the Pastoral Care department.
Several years into her ministry, Dawson once again called Rev. Clydesdale. This time she asked whether she would be “crazy” to return to Drew to pursue a Doctor of Ministry (DMin).
“Everything you’ve done so far has been wonderfully crazy, so why not?” he responded.
At 82, Dawson earned her DMin from Drew. Her thesis, later published as Hope and Healing: A Spiritual Treasury for Parents, offers spiritual resources for parents from diverse faith traditions.
Dawson has referred to Drew as the training ground for her future.
Retiring in 2020, Dawson provided ministerial guidance and spiritual support to seriously ill children and their families in the hospital’s pediatric unit for 23 years. Reflecting on her service upon retirement, she wrote, “I have done my best to comfort and counsel children, their parents, and the staff of the hospital. When we give, we receive, and I have received great blessings.”
Following her retirement, Dawson bid farewell to New Jersey, where she had lived and served for much of her adult life. She returned to her hometown of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, to reconnect with the mountains, farms, and landscapes of her childhood.
Drew Theological School is proud to call the Rev. Dr. Julia Dawson an alum. Her storied life embodies the shared values the University instills in their students. May her legacy live on in the people she has and will continue to heal through her profound gift of ministry.
