New Name Announced; Governor, Mayor Attend Event

Gov. Ned Lamont and Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin were honored guests at an event on Oct. 13, 2021, launching a new name and logo for Hartford Seminary, now Hartford International University for Religion and Peace.

The event took place under at tent on the front lawn of 77 Sherman Street with about 130 people in attendance. 

Chaplain Dr. Joshua Salaam, a two-time alum, served as the master of ceremonies. Three students in the inaugural MA in International Peacebuilding program kicked off the event by speaking about what brought them to the program and how it will have a global impact. 

Board of Trustees Chair Clare Feldman spoke about the board's unanimous support for the changes initiated by a strategic planning process that started in 2019. 

"We are an island of peace, reason, and calm in a world that has too much vitriol, anger, and frustration," she said. "Some of that – much of that – is fueled by misunderstanding, ignorance, and lack of personal interaction with people unlike ourselves. And that is what we hope to change."

President Joel N. Lohr introduced a four-minute video that revealed the name change at the very end.

Following the reveal, President Lohr spoke about the importance of the word "for" in the name. "We are a place that is active for religion and peace."

Mayor Luke Bronin spoke about the importance of having the word "Hartford" in the final name and what that means for the capital city.

"Congratulations on this momentous day," he said. "And thank you for what you are doing and what you have done to place Hartford at the center of this work to promote interreligious dialogue through faith and through the mutual understanding of different faiths."

State Sen. Saud Anwar, a corporator, spoke about the significant presence that Hartford International University has globally.

"It was fascinating for me to learn of the many instances where people know about Connecticut and Hartford because of Hartford Seminary, now Hartford International University. HIU is what the U.S. needs. It's what the world needs."

The Rev. Dr. Ralph Ahlberg, another two-time alumnus, introduced Governor Lamont, his former parishioner when he served Round Hill Community Church in Greenwich.

"I've seen a lot of changes since graduating, but one thing remains the same: our commitment to raise the level of discourse and to learn from one another," he said.

Governor Lamont spoke about the welcoming nature of the new name and congratulated the institution on its work.

"You're on this earth to make a difference. That's the "for" in your title there," he said. "You represent the very best of what it means to bring people together and bring people of different faiths together. I hope you take that message far and wide because that's how we make a difference in this world.

A benediction from three different faiths closed the program.