Citation for Dr. Melissa Harris Lacewell

Presented by
The Rev. Dr. John W. Tolley
Vice President for Enrollment Management, and
Associate Professor of Arts in Ministry

Mr. Barker, I have the honor to present to you, for the award of the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, Melissa Harris Lacewell.   Dr. Harris Lacewell, Melissa, is not a stranger to the halls of Meadville Lombard, and most recently has contributed her scholarship and teaching skills as guest professor of this past quarter's course, "Intersections:  Black Religion and Black Political Thought."  In addition, she was the keynote presenter for this past January's Modified Residency Convocation and our 2005 Catalyst for Change meeting.  So while it is an honor to formally present her to you and to this gathered community, it is also a pleasure to introduce you to a good friend.

Melissa is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a member of this congregation, First Unitarian Society of Chicago.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University, and her Masters Degree and Doctor of Philosophy from Duke University.  She came to national prominence with the publication of her first book, Barbershops, Bibles and BET:  Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought, Princeton University Press, 2004.  The text demonstrated how African Americans develop political ideologies through ordinary conversations in places like barbershops, churches and through popular culture.  The work was awarded the 2005 W. E. B. DeBois book award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists.  The work laid a foundation for her research interests that include experimental research methods and quantitative modeling of public opinion.  She is at work on a new book, For Colored Girls Who've Considered Politics When Being Strong Wasn't Enough.  It is an examination of the connections between shame, sadness, and strength in African American women's political lives.  As if her life were not busy enough, she is also working on a certificate of pastoral studies at Catholic Theological Union in comparative theologies and has articles coming out on "Liberation Theology and Prosperity," and "Religion and the American Presidents," a focus on prophetic voices in the country's history.

But there are other things she would like you to know about her.  She is the mother of three-year-old Parker, who has become the first juvenile Unitarian Universalist evangelist as she asks all the kids in her pre-school class to come to her church.  Melissa is Diana Gray's daughter, former Secretary of the Board of Trustees here at First Church.  She teaches third and fourth grade Religious Education in the Sunday School here - Holidays and Holy Days for the record, and also serves on the Church Council.  She grew up in the Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Universalist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, and since coming to Chicago in 1999, she and her family have found themselves  "at home," both within the walls of this congregation as well as in Hyde Park.

And so consequently, Meadville Lombard Theological School is proud and privileged to recognize the significant life achievements of Dr. Melissa Harris Lacewell by granting her the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa.  Dr. Barker, I present to you, Dr. Melissa Harris Lacewell, scholoar, churchwoman, and friend.

back to 160th Commencement