David McCarthy, Ph.D. 2003

2003, Ph.D., Religious Studies (History of Christianity); M.A., French (1979)

How has being a Religion graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"I earned an MDiv at Harvard, and served a congregation for seven years. After earning my PhD at Duke, I was uniquely qualified for a position that was half-time chaplain and half-time faculty. I deeply appreciated the faculty at Duke, who were not only national leaders in their academic fields, but also deeply committed to the life of the church. After 18 years as Chaplain and Professor, I retired as Professor Emeritus, and began work as pastor of the International Protestant Church of Brussels, Belgium (where I've also been able to use my other Duke degree, a masters in French!)"

What advice would you give students in Duke's Religion programs? 

"Keep yourself grounded in both church and academics, and you'll do well."