The Earlham College School of Religion has received a $2 million gift—the largest in its history—to establish an endowed chair of peace and justice studies.
The Patricia Thomas Lonnie Valentine Peace and Justice Endowed Chair faculty position honors Lonnie Valentine, a longtime faculty member known for his dedication to peace, justice and integrity, the college said. The gift was provided by Patricia Thomas, a 1990 alum who also served on the school’s board of advisors for nearly two decades.
“Patricia Thomas has been a beloved member of the ESR community for decades, and her generosity is nothing short of extraordinary,” Tom Decker, director of institutional advancement, said in a news release. “It is a remarkable act of vision and commitment. She’s full of energy and humility—and always a joy to talk with. This gift will advance our mission for generations to come.”
Thomas graduated with a master’s degree of ministry, pastored at the Chester Friends Meeting congregation in Ohio, served as the campus minister at Wilmington College and now serves as clerk of the Quaker religious organization Wilmington Yearly Meeting. A resident of Wilmington, Ohio, she also is the author of the Pastor and Professor Quaker Mystery series.
“This money came out of the blue,” Thomas said in the news release. “I always dreamed of endowing a chair, but I never thought it would be possible. It feels like a dream come true—to support institutions I love and believe in.”
Including this recent gift, Thomas has contributed more than $2.3 million to Earlham College and its school of religion.
“I wanted to make sure that this chair not only honored Lonnie Valentine’s legacy but also ensured that the peace testimony—so central to Quaker faith and practice—remains alive and well in our world,” Thomas said.
The inaugural holder of the chair is Colleen Wessel-McCoy, assistant professor of peace and justice studies and director of the master of arts in peace and social transformation program.