معرفی
Heather Murray Elkins is the Frederick Watson Hannan Professor of Worship, Preaching, and the Arts at Drew Theological School, part of Drew University. With 32 years of service, she has served as a faculty member since 1989 and previously as university chaplain. Her academic journey began when she earned a PhD from Drew University, inspired by Dr. Bard Thompson’s work in liturgical studies.
Her teaching focuses on worship traditions, cross-cultural theology, and eco-theological integration. Notable courses include Native American Peoples and Place, which honors Indigenous heritage, and Appalachia-focused studies. She emphasizes student-centered learning, encouraging them to articulate personal worship experiences through reflective exercises like completing the sentence, “For me, worship happens when ___.”
Elkins’ symbolic use of acorns in her classes represents growth and interconnectedness, embodying her eco-theological ethos. Beyond academia, she and her husband plan to address drug prevention in Delaware through her son’s work. Her contributions include the book Holy Stuff of Life and visual essay compilations reflecting her pedagogical and spiritual journey.
Her legacy at Drew includes shaping generations of students through diverse theological perspectives, fostering a unifying academic and spiritual environment rooted in ecological and cultural awareness.
