Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 4-27-18

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Tampan Dr. Gerald Thomas Participates In Establishment Of The Dr. J. Deotis Roberts Library At Shaw University
Tampans, Dr. Gerald La- mont Thomas and wife, Alma traveled to Raleigh, N. C. last weekend to participate in the establishment and ded- ication of the Dr. J. (James) Deotis Roberts Library and Reading Room at Shaw Uni-
versity’s School Of Divinity.
Dr. J. Deotis Roberts,
90, is a highly esteemed the- ologian, author and educator, who was one of the founders of the Black Theology move- ment.
Dr. Thomas, a graduate
of Shaw University, was in- strumental in identifying his alma mater as the recipient of some of the most valuable books and works by Dr. Roberts, and worked closely with the Dean of Shaw Uni- versity’s Divinity School, Dr. Johnny B. Hill, to bring the library project to fruition.
A special reception and luncheon were held to cele- brate the generous gifts by the J. Deotis Roberts family of numerous religious books and materials.
Dr. Roberts is a gradu- ate of Johnson C. Smith Uni- versity (Bachelor of Arts), Shaw University Divinity School (Bachelor of Divinity) and Hartford Seminary (Mas- ter of Sacred Theology).
He earned his Ph.D. in Philosophical Theology in 1957 and later a Doctor of Let- ters Degree, both from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Seminary in Buenos Aires. The trip and participation was especially special for Dr. Thomas, who was a student of Dr. Roberts at Eastern Bap-
tist Theological Seminary. He is former president of the American Theological As- sociation, 4th president of the Interdenominational Theo- logical Center and founder of the Foundation of Religion &
Educational Exchange, Inc. Dr. Thomas, retired as Pastor of Shiloh Baptist
Church in Plainfield, N. J. Before retiring, Dr. Thomas built a 75,000 sq. ft., $13.2 million edifice, which includes a 1,200-seat sanctuary, a 700-seat Com- munity Life & Cultural Arts Center, and a Charter School for grades K-12, during his tenure at Shiloh in New Jer-
sey.
Shaw University is the
one of the oldest HBCUs in the south.
Front row, left to right: Dr. Paulette Dillard, Interim Presi- dent, Shaw University, Dr. and Mrs. J. Deotis (Elizabeth) Roberts. Second row, Tampa resident, Dr. Gerald Lamont Thomas, former student, Dr. Johnny B. Hill, Dean, Shaw Uni- versity Divinity School, and Rev. Walter Silva Thompson, Jr., for- mer student and Pastor of Cal-
vary Baptist Hampton, NY.
Church, East
He was a Professor at Howard University’s Divinity School for many years. He was also a Professor at East- ern Baptist Theological Semi- nary, Yale University, Duke University and the Interna- tional Baptist Theological
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