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1930 – Howard Thurman Becomes Dean at Rankin Chapel

On May 2, 1930, theologian and mystic Howard Thurman was appointed Dean of Rankin Chapel at Howard University. As one of the most influential Black religious thinkers of the 20th century, Thurman bridged the worlds of theology, mysticism, and social justice. He mentored future leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and emphasized the power of nonviolence, inner strength, and spiritual liberation. His tenure at Howard expanded the university’s religious life and gave students a model of ethical leadership rooted in the Black prophetic tradition. Thurman’s interfaith and intercultural work would later inspire global movements for peace and reconciliation.