Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 33

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Jane's Legacy
Jane Kintner Williams-Hogan passed into the spiritual
world on February 11, 2018, at the age of 75. As an
internationally renowned Swedenborgian scholar, Jane
inspired intelligent and honest worldwide conversation
about Emanuel Swedenborg and the New Church. She
was also a beloved mother, wife, teacher, and a friend
to many. We remember her vibrant energy, her laughter,
her thoughtfulness, and her loving spirit.
By Sasha Silverman
B
The qualities I admired in Jane
were her (seemingly) tireless
efforts to advance the college,
especially its intellectual
life, and promote people's
understanding of the works
penned by Swedenborg, as
well as the man himself. She
was dedicated and passionate
about these causes, and
her appreciation for New
Church teachings not only
broadened but deepened
significantly as the years
went by. As a colleague, we
could always depend on her
asking probing questions,
expressing a sociological
and historical viewpoint, and
daring us to dream big.
Bryn Athyn College deeply regrets the recent passing of one of its
dearly loved professors, Jane Williams-Hogan, Ph.D. (1942-2018) (AA
’62). Having taught at the College since 1975, Jane contributed sub-
stantially to the College community, both academically and person-
ally. She headed the history and social sciences division for 14 years,
teaching courses in sociology, political studies, social science, and his-
tory. She was instrumental in the founding of the Masters of Arts in
Religious Studies (MARS) program, which she headed for many years
and for which she taught classes. Jane also served on the Faculty Mat-
ters committee, where, according to Dan Synnestvedt, Ph.D. (BA ’86),
“Jane always brought a historical and sociological sensitivity to our de-
liberations along with her penchant for asking tough questions.”
Jane had a unique gift for research; through her passion for Swe-
denborgian study, she became an internationally recognized, highly re-
spected scholar and speaker on Swedenborg and New Church history,
presenting her research in many publications and at dozens of confer-
ences around the world.
Jane’s deep appreciation of her religion proved contagious. As one
of her former students, Rev. Thomas Muller (BA ’13), wrote, “Sweden-
borgianism has lost one of its greatest contemporary scholars. I will
miss her as a teacher and a kind, bright shining star of love and wisdom.
Thanks for everything, Jane. It hurts to lose your earthly company.”
—Dan Synnestvedt (BA ’86)
B RY N AT H Y N A LU M N I M AG A Z I N E
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