Agreement reached between former president, theological school

The Rev. David Maldonado Jr.

A settlement has been reached between Iliff School of Theology and its former Latino president, who claimed he was forced to resign last year due to "culturally different" views.

The Rev. David Maldonado, the first Latino president of a United Methodist seminary, said he was pleased and feels "the justice issues have been resolved."

Maldonado became president in June 2000 and abruptly retired last May 26. He said the faculty resisted his leadership, and that some faculty accused him of being too theologically conservative or moderate. They told him he did "not fit" or was "culturally different," he said. In addition, Maldonado said, he felt pressured to leave by faculty leadership and some trustees.

An April 19 joint declaration issued by Maldonado and Iliff names Maldonado as president emeritus and says the school will "honor his legacy" by establishing the David and Charlotte Maldonado Scholarship Fund. He will also serve as special adviser to the president in the year ahead.

"Iliff looks forward to a day of reconciliation and celebration and to years of future relationship in which Dr. Maldonado, as president emeritus, will be enabled to offer counsel directed toward the well-being of this venerable institution," the declaration states.

"I am very pleased we have been able to work out this agreement," said the Rev. J. Philip Wogaman, Iliff’s interim president. "I think this will help Iliff School of Theology and President Emeritus Maldonado move ahead from this point."

Iliff is one of 13 theological schools affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The University Senate, an elected church body of higher education professionals, determines which schools, colleges, universities and seminaries meet the criteria for affiliation with the denomination.

Maldonado and Interim Iliff President Philip Wogaman recently met with a mediator in Nashville, Tenn., to resolve the justice issues outlined in the findings of a special review committee of the University Senate and the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.

The investigative team issued a public warning to the school last November after finding "patterns of institutional governance and perceived racial and cultural insensitivities."

The team issued the warning after determining that "institutional racism was a major, significant factor" leading to Maldonado’s departure.

"Today justice for Dr. Maldonado has been resolved," said Fidel "Butch" Montoya, a former Denver director of public safety and a Maldonado supporter. "Indeed his successful achievements are finally being recognized. We applaud the settlement of this most important issue."

Montoya said "while we are pleased this one issue has been resolved, we have made it clear to the president of the board of trustees to Interim President Wogaman that there are still outstanding issues that must be addressed as well."

MARCHA, an unofficial church caucus—its full name, translated from Spanish, means Methodists Associated Representing the Cause of Hispanic Americans—had called on Iliff to reinstate Maldonado as president and to issue a public apology to him and the Hispanic/Latino community.

The caucus also advocated for the "well-being of other racial ethnic minorities working or studying at Iliff, and for the quality of theological education in the United Methodist Church." It cited findings of intimidation against Maldonado’s supporters.

"I am quite glad that the board of directors of Iliff finally realized that doing justice was and is the best way, and the only way if an individual or an institution wants to show a serious commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ," said the Rev. German Acevedo, a leader of MARCHA. "I still want to find out how Iliff is going to address other manifestations of institutional racism."

The Religion and Race review team will visit Iliff April 26-28.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

Suggested Articles Hispanic leaders attack Iliff advertisement Hispanic caucus calls for restoration of Iliff president Investigation team gives Iliff seminary ‘public warning’ University Senate investigates seminary president’s abrupt departure

Suggested Resources Iliff School of Theology Q&A about the Iliff Review (PDF) Iliff Board Actions (PDF) MARCHA Resolution Regarding Iliff School of Theology