Organizational Changes at Hartford Seminary

As Hartford Seminary defines new strategic directions, we are also evolving organizationally, making changes to better focus our energies on the future. We are happy to announce the appointment of two talented and committed members of our community to new roles at the Seminary.

Appointment of Rev. Dr. David D. Grafton as Academic Dean (Chief Academic Officer)

Dr. Grafton holds a PhD in Islamic Studies from the Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim Relations, University of Birmingham, England. He also holds an MDiv from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, and a BA from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio.

Prior to his appointment at the Hartford Seminary Dr. Grafton served as Associate Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian Muslim Relations at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and Director of Graduate Studies (2008-2016), the Coordinator of Graduate Studies and Director of the Center for Middle East Christianity at the Evangelical (Presbyterian) Theological Seminary in Cairo (2003-2008), and adjunct lecturer in Islamic studies at the Dar Comboni Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Cairo, Egypt (2000-2008).

Since coming to the Seminary, Dr. Grafton has proven himself to be an exceptional faculty member, an able administrator, a trusted colleague, and a deeply valued community member. Serving as Interim Academic Dean since July 2018, Dr. Grafton has helped the Seminary establish numerous policies and procedures to create greater equity and inclusion, including the revision of the Faculty Handbook and assisting in the development of the Seminary’s Strategic Plan. He has led the Seminary’s highly successful Luce-Hartford conferences in Christian-Muslim Relations each year since 2017, and has provided crucial leadership to the Macdonald Center as its director. While doing all of this, Dr. Grafton has continued his excellent publication record. Hartford Seminary could not be more pleased to have Dr. Grafton take up the role of Academic Dean, working closely with enrollment services, the Seminary’s faculty, President, and COO.

Appointment of Ann Crawford as Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Ann Crawford holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, an MEd from Harvard University, an MLS from Syracuse University, and a BA from Harvard University.

Prior to her appointment at Hartford Seminary, she served as Associate University Librarian at the University of Hawaii, responsible for leading the areas of finance, facilities, technology, planning, and human resources for this large university library. For five years before that, Ms. Crawford served as Assistant Dean at the UConn School of Law, responsible for the school’s $25M budget, 10-acre-5-building campus, and human resources functions for approximately 60 employees. Earlier in her career, she led the Law School’s technology department and served at Trinity College as a systems librarian.

Since coming to the Seminary, Ms. Crawford has enabled strategic change and facilitated numerous efficiencies to reduce costs and improve services. Not least of her accomplishments have been modernizing library systems and services, streamlining facilities and grounds processes, as well as overseeing campus security and safety, including the management of the COVID-19 crisis. A facilitator at heart, Ms. Crawford is known for her ability to move projects forward, foster effective communication, and build strong working relationships with an overall goal of supporting community and creating efficiencies. Hartford Seminary is delighted that Ms. Crawford will take up this newly created role to enable and facilitate the implementation of the Seminary’s promising shared future vision.