J. Michael Utzinger

J. Michael Utzinger serves as Professor of Religion at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, where he holds the Ewing Professorship and currently chairs the Department of Religion. He has received significant recognition including the 2010 Cabell Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2015 Thomas Edward Crawley Award for distinguished service to the college.

His research focuses on American religious history, particularly American Evangelicalism, African American religion, and religion's role in the Civil Rights movement. Utzinger has made notable contributions to understanding religion during Virginia's massive resistance period, for which he received the Nelson R. Burr Prize. His scholarship examines how religious communities navigated social and political tensions during periods of significant cultural change.

Utzinger's publications reveal consistent engagement with how religious traditions respond to social change, with particular attention to ecclesiology and denominational dynamics. His work spans historical analysis of specific religious movements to broader theological reflections on religion's role in contemporary society, especially following events like 9/11.

• Lilly Fellow for the Arts and Humanities (1999-2000)
• 2010 Cabell Award for Excellence in Teaching
• William W. Elliot Associate Professor of Religion
• 2015 Thomas Edward Crawley Award
• Nelson R. Burr Prize for outstanding article in Anglican and Episcopal History

Utzinger maintains active involvement in both academic and religious communities, serving as moderator of the Southeastern Colloquium on American Religious Studies and Vice President of the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church. He has held significant administrative roles including Associate Dean of the Faculty (2011-2014, 2016) and has contributed to interfaith initiatives, including participation in the King in Virginia: Beloved Community Roundtable sponsored by the MLK Commission of the Virginia General Assembly in 2018.