Bryn Athyn College Alumni Magazine Spring/Summer 2018 | Page 37
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IN MEMORIAM
posal for an “Institute of Swedenborg Studies.”
According to Rev. Andy Dibb, dean of the Theo-
logical School, this project “is taking shape pretty
much as Jane would have wanted.” Andy explained,
“The Institute has as a goal of both research and
presentation, and it looks forward to a time when
visiting scholars could stay in residence, and enrich
the College life. The Institute will continue Jane’s
legacy of hosting conferences on campus, as well as
participating in relevant conferences off campus.
Amongst other uses envisioned, the Institute will
serve as home to the MARS program, bringing two
of her dreams together and positioning them for
the future.”
Although many scholars around the world
look to Jane as the key Swedenborgian scholar, Jane
did not see this as the goal. She wrote, “Bryn Athyn
College should become the institution of record on
the Swedenborgian tradition and all the many con-
tributions it has to offer the world.” She said, “Es-
tablishing our name in the scholarly world is vital
to that endeavor.”
Carrying Jane’s Torch
Jane made her mark in establishing a greater appre-
ciation worldwide for the life and teachings of Swe-
denborg and the New Church. As interest continues
to grow and develop, we can rest assured that Jane’s
mission lives on, along with her kind spirit, and her
love for others.
As Danny Treisler said, “I could say and write
things forever about how big of an impact she was
to me and my life, that is for certain. My thoughts
and prayers go out to her family, friends, colleagues,
and students past and present who were touched by
her grace just like I have been. Jane Williams-Hogan,
you mean so much to me. I love you. You are an in-
spiration.”
Fredrik Bryntesson also speaks for many at
the College with his words: “Jane was a true Bryn
Athyn College rock! Her love and dedication for
New Church education, the College, and its mission
was amazing, and she carried it like a torch with
a bright, beautiful flame. She had an amazing en-
ergy and work ethic and was incredibly productive.
Jane was also an absolutely wonderful friend that
had integrity, was truly interested in others, always
took time to listen and help, and never said unkind
things about others. I will miss her very much, but
she is still near and will always be present. Heaven
has gained an angel.”
Education
Ph.D., Sociology, University of Pennsylvania
M.A., Human Relations, University of Pennsylvania
B.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
Accomplishments [Selected list]
First international student advisor at Bryn Athyn College, 1978
Head of the History and Social Science Division
at Bryn Athyn College, 1985-1999
Organizer of the Swedenborg ’88 Symposium, Bryn Athyn, 1988
Awarded Tenure at Bryn Athyn College, 1990
Chaired Bryn Athyn College’s MSCHE Self-study, 1990-1992
Organized Program Unit of Swedenborg & Swedenborg Studies at the
American Academy of Religion Annual Meetings, 1993-1997
Member of the committee that developed the MARS
program at Bryn Athyn College, 1994-1996
Member of Bryn Athyn College’s Research Committee, 1996-2010
Paul Carpenter Chair of History of Religions, 1997-2011
Co-Chair of CESNUR’s 11th International Conference,
June, Bryn Athyn, PA, 1999
Received Glencairn Award for contributions to
New Church Scholarship, 2002
Visiting Professor at Bordeaux University, France, 2003
Visiting Professor at Urbana College, 2003
Initiated exchange program between Bryn Athyn
College and Bordeaux, 2003
Appointed to rank of Full Professor at Bryn Athyn College, 2003
Co-organizer of Bryn Athyn College’s Alumni Weekend, 2003
Author of “E Le Chiese Swedenborgiane,” Torino: Elledici, 2004
Served on the Board of the Swedenborg Foundation, 2005-2017
Presenter at the Last Judgment Conference,
October, 5-6, 2007, Bryn Athyn, PA.
Appointed to the Editorial Board of the Encyclopedia of
Western Esotericism, Baylor University, 2011
Granted Professor Emeritus status at Bryn Athyn College, 2013
Paper presented at the Carl Bernhard Wadström Conference on Human
Rights and the Abolition of Slavery. London, June 2-4, 2015
Chaired a Panel at the International Association of the
History of Religions World Congress on Swedenborg’s
Written Revelation. August, 2015
Co-Organizer of Conference on “Swedenborg and the Arts,”
June 6-9, 2017, Bryn Athyn, PA.
Development of graduate studies in New Church
doctrine at Bryn Athyn College
For more, see the following article by Devin Zuber:
www.swedenborg.com/former-board-member-jane-williams-hogan-passes
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