August 12, 2025

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Laura Brelsford | hcnews@hawks.huntingdon.edu | (334) 833-4563

Huntingdon Signs Partnership with Duke Divinity School

Montgomery, AL – Huntingdon College President Anthony Leigh and Duke Divinity School Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that recognizes the importance of clear and supportive pathways into theological education and fosters a strong connection between undergraduate studies in religion at Huntingdon College and graduate theological education at Duke Divinity School.

The MOU will facilitate preferred consideration and an early admission decision to any Huntingdon religion student who has earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better and completes an application for admission to Duke Divinity School by the early admission deadline. Both schools are rooted in the Wesleyan tradition and affirm a shared commitment to the formation of thoughtful, faithful leaders for the church and the world. Both institutions seek to contribute to the growth and flourishing of the United Methodist Church by preparing students for lives of faithful Christian service, leadership, and witness.

“For many years Huntingdon College has been an important pipeline for leaders for the church. Many of our graduates have continued their theological education at Duke Divinity School,” noted President Leigh. “Huntingdon continues to be recognized as one of the South’s premier pre-professional colleges. Each year, our seniors are sought after by graduate schools and professional employers.  Creating pipelines of opportunity for our students as they move into their next chapter beyond Huntingdon is important to me and to the College.” 

The partnership seeks to encourage and equip students who are discerning a call to ministry by offering an intentional, streamlined pipeline from Huntingdon’s Religion Department to the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) program at Duke Divinity School. It reaffirms the mutual dedication to nurturing vocations, strengthening the United Methodist tradition, and investing in the next generation of Christian leaders.

“Duke Divinity School has been blessed and strengthened by our long connection with Huntingdon College and the alumni who have joined our M.Div. program,” said Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric. “I am grateful to partner with them in our shared mission to support students in preparation for their ministry callings and to serve the church through robust academic and theological formation.”

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