State of the School: An Update from President Hagiya
Please click below to watch President Hagiya’s November 21 school update.
TRANSCRIPT (edited for clarity):
President Grant Hagiya: Greetings with joy. Thank you for taking the time to hear about the current state of our Claremont School of Theology.
I want to personally thank everyone for joining us for this vital presentation today. I know how busy all of you are, and it means a great deal that you’ve taken time out of your schedule to be a part of this moment…I encourage everyone whether you’re here, live or watching later to reflect on what we share today and join us in celebrating the progress we’ve made and the exciting future ahead.
This presentation comes at a critical time in CST’s history. Over the past decades we faced challenges that tested our resilience, demanded innovative thinking, and required us to lean into our faith. Yet, despite these challenges, CST stands strong today. We’re going through tremendous transitions as a school and I want to use the theme of “letting go while holding on” to frame our current transitions. CST’s story over the last 10 years is one of perseverance and determination.
As many of you know, our challenges were rooted in a restrictive property agreement dating back to 1957, when we moved to Claremont. This agreement allowed the Claremont colleges to purchase our campus for a fraction of its value. While navigating many legal challenges, we faced additional financial pressures that required bold decisions. These included exploring relocation and merger options to secure CST’s future. At one point, we considered relocating to Willamette University in Oregon, but ongoing litigation prevented that merger from moving forward. Now, after a 10 year legal battle with the Claremont colleges, we have finally closed escrow and sold our 16.4 acre Claremont property. We provided Claremont College with the keys to the campus just three days ago.
It has been a long and bitter battle between the “Goliath” of the Claremont colleges and the “David” of our Claremont school of theology. More than 10 years ago, CST realized that our only asset was our prime real estate and we sought to sell the campus in order to build a sustainable financial future. Unfortunately, our founders signed a right of first refusal with the Claremont colleges in 1957, and they created an archaic formula by which the Claremont colleges could purchase the land. The market value of the CST property has been estimated to be between $40 to $60 million. But the Claremont Colleges have never intended to pay that amount. The legal struggle was the purchase price of the property and although we won the first Superior Court ruling, in the Court of Appeals, we lost, and it finally came down to a binding arbitration where a judge would determine the final price. Now, neither party could decipher the 1957 formula, but the judge decided that it must be the determining factor, and the price was set at only $7.7 million. Of course we were stunned by that result, but that was our last legal recourse. It is an injustice that still stings, but it is time to let go and move on as we symbolically let go of our old Claremont campus.
At the same time we hold on to the great memories of that campus. I invite you today to take a moment in silence to remember the campus. Maybe it was a class with one of our great faculty members, or a deep relationship that was formed with another student, or a worship experience in the Kresge Chapel in silence. Take a moment to pause and remember
Now, we let go of the old Claremont campus, but we hold on to the memories and experiences created there. I still remember as a student carpooling with another student, Bob Hoshibata, riding into the Claremont campus together on the 10 freeway. It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship, and whoever would have guessed that the two of us would later become United Methodist bishops Folks, we let go of the campus today, but we hold on to the memories
With only receiving $7.7 million, selling the campus did not provide the windfall we need for future sustainability. All of the $7.7 million has gone to debt reduction and, although that helps our long-term financial picture, it does not help us immediately. There’s still tremendous work to be done around our entire financial future and we are working on innovative projects and partnerships that will assist in further debt reduction, and put us on a sound financial footing.
As some of you may know, CST has consistently been underfunded. And in creating a world-class theological seminary through its faculty over the decades, CST failed to provide the financial infrastructure to match its world-class academic reputation. CST has practiced what our living saint, John Cobb, describes as “the raven method” of fundraising after the 1 King 17 passage, where God sends ravens to deliver food to Elisha at the wadi. We have survived by the grace of God. But remember, ravens do not store food for future times and live hand to mouth.
Now, since we did not fully receive what we needed from the sale of our Claremont campus, we desperately need your financial help right now to enable us to start anew. We have had to maintain two campuses as we move through litigation that has dragged on too long. We are primed to begin anew. But we need your year-end donations and scholarship giving so that we can have a fighting chance. All of our students receive a significant scholarship, and you can help them individually, and CST, right now. So please give generously as we let go of the past but hold on to a future that God envisions for us.
As we let go of the old campus today, we hold on to a new beginning at our Los Angeles location in Westwood. We are adapting to a new world in theological education, where remote learning–combined with some in-person options– fulfills our students who cannot relocate because of family or work. This is obviously meeting the needs of our students, as our new student enrollment is the highest it has been in the last five years. We’ve created a state of art technical platform at our new location, where we can connect with students worldwide. Please come, see our new campus, and we guarantee you will be impressed with our new technological teaching platforms. We let go of the old form of pedagogy and we hold on to a new way of teaching and learning.
Our new DNA is part of our new core values of compassion, justice, and belonging. In our polarized society and world, these values mirror what God hopes for all creation. We must hold on to our institution known as the Claremont School of theology, to model this for all.
We are excited to share just a few updates that mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for CST. Closing escrow means that we can now fully focus on our mission and future. We have a new home in Westwood and we’re discovering new ways to reach new students and new donors. It also marks a turning point, where we can leave behind the constraints of the past and move forward with confidence.
I’d like to introduce one of our esteemed colleagues, Dr. Nicholas Greer, Associate Professor of Practical Theology, Spiritual Care and Counseling, and the current chair of our Faculty Policy Committee, to share some updates on some new and innovative programs and initiatives.
Dr. Nicholas Grier: Thank you, President Hagia. Hello, everyone. During this moment in our history, and amidst the current and political landscape of the United States and in countries throughout the world we need a powerful force of good to create a better future. So here at CST we are committed to being a force of good that nurtures justice and well-being in the world, honoring the lives and legacies of powerful women, people of color, diverse people of faith, and all citizens of the world.
The world needs this progressive theological school, Claremont School of Theology for such a time as the present–to meet the challenges of today and shape the future possibilities of tomorrow. CST is extending its reach and impact through new programs and partnerships. Over the past year. We’ve been working on initiatives that reflect CST’s commitment to our principles and academic excellence. These include expanding our Global PhD program, which connects students from around the world and positions. CST is a leader in international theological education. The expansion of the Korean Context Doctor of Ministry Program, which serves the unique needs of our Korean-speaking students and communities; the new Doctor of Professional Counseling program, which provides specialized training for students pursuing vocational paths in counseling and spiritual care in Korean contexts; also, a new track in our Doctor of Ministry program, starting in the fall of 2025 that incorporates relevant spirituality, adaptive leadership, and innovation and creativity; and the exploration of a new ministry model, such as the fresh expressions movement in the UK and the United States; the creation of the Doctor of Spirituality, which is a new degree within theological education (The initial cohort for this degree, focused on forming spiritual directors is set to launch in the fall of 2025); the development of a new Master of Arts degree track in education; and lastly, we are at the beginning stages of significant conversations about programs that we hope will help denominational conferences and their congregations.
This includes certification programs, which will open new professional opportunities for leaders and therapeutic agents of change working in ordained and non-ordained contexts. These initiatives reflect CST’s forward-thinking approach to theological education. You see, we’re not just adapting to changes in our field. But we’re leading the way by offering programs that prepare students for meaningful and impactful careers. So thank you for your investment into this future.
Grant Hagiya: Thank you, Dr. Grier. As we conclude today’s presentation, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who supported CST through this transition. Our faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, trustees. Your faith in CST has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today and I thank God for each and every one of you
With escrow now closing, a growing student body, and a slate of exciting new programs, we are poised for a future filled with opportunity. But we can’t do it alone. Your continued support, faith and partnership are essential as we take the next steps on this journey. We’re just a few days away from launching our year-end giving campaign. This is an important opportunity for us to engage our supporters and ensure the financial stability needed to continue our vital work.
Your involvement and advocacy will make all the difference as we share CST’s story with the world. As always. Go to cst.edu and just click “give.”
If you have any additional questions or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at publicrelations@cst.edu.
And now I’d like to close this time with a prayer for CST, for our nation that desperately needs prayer at this time, and for the entire world. Join me.
Gracious, loving God, we thank you for the strength and resilience of this community as we move forward. Guide us with your wisdom, and inspire us to continue serving your people with compassion, justice, and belonging. May CST be a light in the world, shaping leaders who will bring hope and healing to all they touch. Amen.
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank you, thank you, thank you.