I graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor¿s degree in religion, a commitment to human rights advocacy, and a burgeoning interest in legal education. A year later, when I made the decision to attend graduate school, I knew that I was looking for dual degree programs in law and religion. On the advice of my college mentor, I investigated the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory, and it quickly became the standard bearer as I looked at other schools.

Silas W. Allard and T. Brian Green graduated from Emory University's Center for the Study of Law and Religion May 9. Each received a Doctorate of Law from Emory Law and a Master of Theological Studies from Candler School of Theology.

Silas W. Allard, Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, presented his research on immigration at two fall conferences.

Terri Y. Montague has won the 2014 Eliza Ellison Prize for Leadership in Law and Religion from the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University. The award is named for the center's former associate director and director of publications and recognizes a graduate who has shown special initiative in leading law and religion studies within and beyond the classroom.

New leadership is energizing the Center. Silas Allard (JD/MTS `11) joins CSLR as Harold J. Berman Senior Fellow in Law and Religion in addition to his role as associate director. Silas also serves as managing editor of the Journal of Law and Religion, working with five co-editors to build a keystone, peer-review international publication.

Silas W. Allard joins the Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) as Associate Director and Harold J. Berman Senior Fellow in Law and Religion as CSLR seeks to broaden its global reach by engaging religious traditions such as Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Sikhism, Taoism, and Indigenous Religions, while continuing to pursue groundbreaking scholarship around the Abrahamic religions.

Congratulations to this year¿s Law and Religion graduates. During May 13 commencement ceremonies, Jennifer Heald Kidwell received the Doctor of Law and Master of Divinity Degree, Mark Goldfeder received the Doctor of Juridical Science Degree, and Shlomo Pill received the Master of Laws in Law and Religion degree.

Congratulations to Jennifer Heald Kidwell, who graduates May 13 with a Doctor of Law/Master of Divinity joint degree. Pursuing ordination in the United Methodist Church, Kidwell was drawn to a dual degree as a way to connect her passion for ministry with her desire to work for structural change.

The Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) at Emory University has named Silas Allard, a distinguished alumnus of its joint degree program in law and religion, as Associate Director, to begin in August 2013.

Joel Nichols (JD/MDiv ¿00), professor of law at University of St. Thomas Law (Minneapolis, MN) has been promoted to full professor. Sharon Tan (JD/MTS ¿91; PhD ¿00), McVay Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at United Theological Seminary (Twin Cities), was recently awarded tenure.

Silas W. Allard (JD/MTS ¿11) recently published an article entitled ¿In the Shade of the Oaks of Mamre: Hospitality as a Framework for Political Engagement between Christians and Muslims¿ in the journal Political Theology.

Roslyn M. Satchel (JD/MDiv '01) recently co-authored an article entitled, 'Religion, Race, and the Fourth Estate: Xenophobia in the Media Ten Years after 9/11¿ published in the Spring 2012 issue of The Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice. A mass communication PhD candidate at Louisiana State University, Satchel examines the role of the media, often referred to as the 'Fourth Branch of Government,' in fueling stereotypes and capitalizing on fear, as a way to increase ratings and revenue.

Senior Fellow M. Christian Green recently published an article entitled `There but for the Grace¿: The Ethics of Bystanders to Divorce' in Propositions, a newsletter produced by the Center for Public Conversation of the Institute for American Values.

Sarah Gerwig-Moore (JD/MTS `02), associate professor of law at Mercer Law, has been awarded tenure. Her teaching and scholarship interests center around constitutional criminal law, appellate and post-conviction practice and procedure, prisoners¿ rights, and other practical matters relating to serving the public interest.

Congratulations to this year¿s Law and Religion graduates! During May 14 commencement ceremonies, Jenny Hernandez, Andy Mayo, and Jennifer Williams will receive Doctor of Law and Master of Theological Studies degrees. Mark Goldfeder and Anita Hayward will receive Master of Laws in Law and Religion degrees.