The Secret is Now Revealed! Another PhD in Systematic Theology and Ethics

In 2012, I received my first PhD in (English) Literary Studies–with an emphasis in African American  Literature, African American Intellectual History, and Caribbean (both Francophone and Anglophone) Literature and Culture–from the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD).

However, since I have an academic background in Religious and Theological studies, I have always wanted to do a PhD in Biblical Studies or Theological Ethics. Two years later (Year 2014) after I earned the first PhD, I was enrolled in a (residential) research-driven only PhD program in Systematic Theology and Ethics at the University of Pretoria. I’m supposed to travel once a year to Pretoria to participate in the yearly conference designated for PhD candidates to share their research with other doctoral students. Due to my full time employment in the U. S., I couldn’t relocate to South Africa or travel yearly there for the symposium.

Hence, I negotiated with my amazing and intelligent doctoral supervisor, Dr. Vuyani Vellem, the first Black Liberation Theologian to teach at the Prestigious University of Pretoria(UP), to exempt me from that requirement. He agreed! I was excited to begin the new journey and undertake a research about the theological ideas and moral vision on Jean-Bertrand Aristide, a former Catholic Priest, Liberation Theologian, and a two-term elected President of Haiti by an overwhelmingly  popular vote.

I have entitled the dissertation “Faith, Hope, and the Poor: The Theological Ideas and Moral Vision of Jean-Bertrand Aristide,” which I successfully defended this morning: Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 4:00 A.M. (11:00 A.M. in Pretoria) via the amazing HD technology called Vidyo. It is better than Skype:-)

Folks: that was the secret I have kept from you for the past three years. Now, you know I can’t keep a secret. Lol

* I will post the dissertation abstract on a different post.

Katia Laurent-Joseph: Are you ready to travel to Pretoria, South Africa for the Graduation Ceremony in May 2017?

What am I going to do with two PhDs?

🙂

To God be the glory!