Archbishop Tutu Completes Visiting Professorship At Emory, Returns To South Africa To Live In Retirement

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who completes his two-year stint of teaching and preaching as a visiting professor in the Candler School of Theology this week, says he has learned many new insights at Emory University.

"My time here has been wonderful," he said in a statement which his office released in Atlanta today. "Candler, and Emory as a whole, is a warm, friendly, affirming place.

"My students have been superb. I've enjoyed teaching them and have learned many, many insights from them. And I've found the faculty here actually like each other! It is a supportive and caring environment."

Archbishop Tutu also had high praise for the medical care he has received at Emory. He had cryosurgery at Emory Hospital last November to combat a recurrence of prostate cancer.

"Both I and Leah, my wife, have been unwell at times while we've been here," he said. "But we have had outstanding medical care, and I want to thank everyone at the clinic and the hospital who have looked after us."

Emory Provost Rebecca Chopp said that, "Emory has been honored and delighted to have Archbishop Tutu on our faculty as a member of our Emory family. He has given generously of his time, wisdom and spirit in the classroom, in public lectures and in community service. His delightful humor, his vast range of experiences, and his powerful testimonies have enriched the lives of our students, faculty and staff."

Archbishop Tutu taught courses during both the 1999 and 2000 academic years. During the first year he held an appointment as the Robert W. Woodruff Visiting Professor of Theology, and during the second as the William R. Cannon Distinguished Visiting Professor.

He taught two courses:

o A seminar class on "Transfiguration, Forgiveness and Reconciliation," in the spring and fall of 1999; and

o A lecture class on "God and Us: Introduction to Contextual Theology and Ministry," attended by 175 students in spring 1999 and 80 students in spring 2000.

He also wrote a book on his experiences at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the 1999 spring term, which was published last fall by Doubleday under the title, "No Future Without Forgiveness." It won Book of the Year Award from the Association of Theological Booksellers, as well as a Christopher Award, which is given for books, films and television productions which "affirm the highest values of the human spirit." The book also is being published in Dutch, French, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and Italian.

Archbishop Tutu also was in high demand off the Emory campus. During his time at Emory, he also:

o Visited Ireland and the Middle East, where there was intense interest in South Africa's experiment in overcoming a history of conflict and repression;

o Traveled to several other countries­­Senegal, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Norway. Again, most of the interest expressed during these visits has concerned the South African transition;

o Received honorary degrees from 17 institutions in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Britain, Switzerland and Australia. He will receive honorary degrees at another seven institutions in the United States, Spain, Britain and Canada this spring.

Archbishop Tutu's association with Emory dates back to 1988, when he received an honorary degree during that year's commencement ceremonies. He and his wife will return to live in retirement in South Africa in the summer.