The installation of Rev. Dr. Lee H. Butler, Jr., as the First African American and 17th President of the Iliff School of Theology, was a momentous occasion. It took place on April 4, 2024, at Denver’s New Hope Baptist Church, a symbolic location for the African American community. The event was hosted by The Rev. Eugene M. Downing, Jr. D. Min., Lead Pastor. This date, April 4, 2024, held a special significance as it marked the 45th Anniversary of the assignation of Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. It was a poignant reminder that although the Dreamer is no longer with us, the Dream continues to live and expand, as many Black people, like Dr. Butler, ascend to previously unimagined heights. 

Dr. Butler’s journey to Iliff is marked by groundbreaking achievements. He holds the esteemed rank of full professor as the Bishop Henry White Warren and Elizabeth Iliff Warren Professor of Africana Pastoral Theology. His tenure at Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a testament to his trailblazing Spirit. He was the first African-American tenured full professor and the first person of color to serve as the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Academic Dean. Since July 1, 2020, he has also held the William Tabbernee Professorship of the History of Religions and Africana Pastoral Theology at Phillips. His leadership was further recognized when he served as the Acting President at Phillips.

Before attending Phillips, Dr. Butler was the Distinguished Service Professor of Theology and Psychology at Chicago Theological Seminary (CTS). In 2006, he became the first African American Full Professor at CTS. In 2017, he was installed in his endowed academic chair. He was a former Director of the CTS Master of Divinity program, former Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean, and the Founder of The Center for the Study of Black Faith and Life at CTS. 

Dignitaries came from near and far to participate in the historic event. The Academic Procession included an ecumenical, interfaith gathering of academies, colleagues, friends, and family. Ms. Paula Redmond, Chair of Iliff Trustees, installed Dr. Butler after his introduction by The Rev. Dr. Nancy Claire Pittman, President of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Rev. Jean Derricotte-Murphy, Ph.D., D. Min., an Associate Minister and the Director of Christian Education, Worship, and Arts Ministry at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, rendered heavenly music. The New Hope Baptist Church Choir also delivered a mighty medley directed by Denver Minister Daryl Walker and New Hope’s Minister of Music, Bro. Rodney Norman. Ms. Adia Robinson Butler recited a poem in honor of her father’s installation.

The installation event was graced by the presence of numerous esteemed religious leaders, a testament to the respect and recognition Dr. Butler commands in the religious community. Among those who gave greetings were Bishop Karen Oliveto for the College of Bishops of The United Methodist Church, Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. Thomas Mayes for the Greater Metro Denver Ministerial Alliance, Rev. Katherine Farley for American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains, Rabbi Richard Rheins for Denver’s Temple Sinai, Imam Abdur Rahim Ali for Masjid Taqwa, and Curtis Zunigha for the Lenape Elders. Their presence and words of support underscored the significance of Dr. Butler’s installation. 

Dr Butler’s presidential address had powerful questions and answers: “Who will stand up and declare that freedom for some results in freedom for none? ILIFF WILL! Who will redefine freedom and defend the dignity and sanctity of everyone, regardless of their bodily form, appearance, or performance? ILIFF WILL! Who will stand and challenge the principalities and powers, the spiritual wickedness in high and low places, and proclaim those who the Spirit makes free are free indeed? ILIFF WILL! Who will break down the walls that isolate, segregate, and prevent us from living life with abundant, unspeakable joy? ILIFF WILL! Yes, Iliff will because “We Advocate Freedom!” The audience stood and chanted in agreement, “ILIFF WILL!”

Other program participants included Professor Dr. Katherine Turpin, Iliff Faculty Marshall; The Rev. Jesse Hawkins, Pastor, St. John A.M.E. Church, Aurora, Illinois; The Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders, Chief Ethics Officer, City & County of Denver; Mr. Raymond Moss, Bucknell University Classmate; The Rev. Arlen Vernava, Seminary Classmate; The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton, McCormick Theological Seminary; The Rev. Dr. Alice Hunt, Chicago Theological Seminary; Dr. Raymond Carr, President, Society for the Study of Black Religion; Dr. Bonnie Miller-McLemore, E. Rhodes and Leona Carpenter, Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture, Emerita, Vanderbilt University; The Rev. Dr. Candace Lewis, President, Gammon Theological Seminary; and The famed Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright. 

D. Butler received his Ph. D. and Master of Philosophy in Psychology and Religion from Drew University. He has 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. He is a past president of the Society for the Study of Black Religion, a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Society for Pastoral Theology, the Institute for Signifying Scriptures, the Society for Process Consulting, the Association of Black Psychologists, and a Board Member of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation.

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