Shirley Dudley Continues Late Husband's Legacy at HIU

With the consent of former professor Carl S. Dudley’s widow, Shirley Dudley, the New Horizons Scholarship Fund—a fund established in his honor upon his retirement in 2003—merged this year with the Carl S. Dudley Scholarship Fund, created by his family after his passing in 2009. The fund supports individuals interested in studying congregational life in either the MA or D.Min. programs. 

Years after the passing of her husband, Shirley Dudley remains connected to Hartford International, contributing to the fund. 

“HIU impresses me because it is one of the few places where all religious groups are welcomed and share opportunities for discourse,” she said. “And in its new form as a university, it continues to work toward the goal of training a diverse set of international leaders.”

At the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at HIU, Carl S. Dudley led research on American religious denominations. He “organized opportunities for pastors and church executives to explore further the materials gathered in those studies,” Shirley said, remembering her late husband’s impact. He also strengthened ties between HIU and its community through the West End Civic Association, embodying his belief that scholarship should serve real-world connections.

Through the professorship of her late Husband at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, Shirley knew first hand the relevance a D.Min. degree has for pastors. “The D.Min. generally is very helpful for a pastor when they have had an opportunity to do ministry for a few years but find themselves tired out and needing a boost, or new ways to do things,” she said. 

A former registrar at McCormick Seminary, Shirley occasionally assisted in HIU’s offices and admired its interfaith mission. Today, she’s particularly inspired by the international student programs pioneered by Alice and Bob Evans, now led by Phoebe Milliken.

Carl’s work lives on in those religious leaders. And for Shirley, that’s a reason to stay involved. 

Thank you, Shirley!