Claremont, Willamette explore partnership

It’s going to take some time, but Claremont School of Theology may be packing up and moving to Salem, Oregon, to the campus of another United Methodist-related school, Willamette University.

Presidents the Rev. Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan of Claremont, and Steve Thorsett of Willamette announced they are starting on a “due diligence process” to make the move.

“We are in the early stages,” Kuan said. “Any full-time student who begins a program in Fall 2017 should be able to finish coursework in Claremont, California.”

Kuan announced in June that the United Methodist theology school was facing financial challenges that would mean relocating its campus.

Subscribe to our e-newsletter

Like what you're reading and want to see more? Sign up for our free daily and weekly digests of important news and events in the life of The United Methodist Church.

Keep me informed!

“At a time when Claremont School of Theology is experiencing its greatest success, we are facing our greatest challenge,” Kuan wrote in a letter to donors, alumni and friends.

“I believe Claremont School of Theology’s world-class faculty and our approach to theological education – with people of many faiths learning and living side-by-side – is an excellent addition to Willamette’s own dynamic community,” Kuan said.

Thorsett said Willamette and Claremont “are both excellent schools with much in common – a shared Methodist heritage, a focus on quality, and a mission to educate students and prepare them for lives that contribute to and transform their communities. Embedding is an exciting opportunity to strengthen both institutions.”

Kuan said embedding also allows Claremont to reduce overhead, more efficiently address the rising costs of higher education and focus on student scholarship rather than maintaining an aging campus.

Kuan said in June that the theology school will retain its name.

“While there may be changes to our physical being, our mission will remain the same: to educate future leaders for churches, synagogues, mosques, not-for-profit organizations, and the world,” Kuan said. “Our legacy is that of an innovative leader in interreligious studies and in providing professionals and academics who move Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist and other religious communities toward peace, justice, and understanding each other.”

Willamette University was founded in 1842 as the first university established in the western United States. The school enrolls approximately 2,600 students in its undergraduate College of Liberal Arts and in its two graduate schools, the College of Law and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. 

Claremont is one of the 13 official theological schools of The United Methodist Church. It traces its roots to 1885 with the founding of Maclay College in California’s San Fernando Valley.

Kuan said Claremont’s leadership team looked at many possible scenarios.

“Due to a variety of changing circumstances, we concluded that embedding in a healthy, like-minded university would be the best way to sustain Claremont School of Theology’s mission,” Kuan said.

Gilbert is a multimedia report for United Methodist News Service, contact her at 615-742-5470 or[email protected]. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Central Conferences
Tafadzwa Chingosho works in his fields in Hanwa, Zimbabwe, to keep the crops free from weeds. Chingosho, who left school to pursue his dream of being a farmer, gained skills through United Methodist programs including Zimbabwe Volunteers in Mission and the Yambasu Agriculture Initiative. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Church programs help young farmer pursue dream

Despite struggling academically, 18-year-old Tafadzwa Chingosho is finding success in pepper farming after being trained by The United Methodist Church.
Theology and Education
A lawsuit over United Methodist control of Southern Methodist University in Dallas has reached the Texas Supreme Court. The South Central Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church filed the lawsuit in 2019 after the university’s board of trustees voted to change the university’s articles of incorporation without the jurisdictional conference’s approval. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons.

High court: Church can sue for SMU control

A Texas Supreme Court ruling deals a setback to Southern Methodist University’s move to gain independence from The United Methodist Church’s South Central Jurisdictional Conference.
Theology and Education
Graduates celebrate during Africa University’s 31st commencement ceremony June 7 at the United Methodist institution in Mutare, Zimbabwe. With 622 graduates from 20 African countries joining its alumni across the continent, the university remains true to its mantra: “Leaders are made here.” Photo courtesy of the Africa University Public Affairs Office.

622 graduate at Africa University

The pan-African institution’s class of 2025 featured graduates from 20 African countries, with 59% women.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved