Iliff seminary regains standing in UMC: School makes diversity reforms

United Methodist Church officials have restored the good standing of Iliff School of Theology in Denver after the seminary addressed recommended reforms on ethnic diversity under the threat of losing $900,000 in funds.

Iliff, one of 13 UMC-related seminaries, was accused of being insensitive to minorities after president David Maldonado Jr., the first Latino to hold that office, suddenly resigned. In the following months, under interim president J. Philip Wogaman, the school adopted reforms and came to a settlement with Maldonado.

A Methodist review team from the denomination’s University Senate and its Commission on Religion and Race informed seminary leaders June 27 that the steps taken at the Colorado school demonstrated a “long-term commitment to model the values embracing diversity, mutual respect and accountability, honest communication and critical self-reflection.”