ABOUT THE EVENT
Register to attend the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Thursday, January 15 at 4:30 p.m. The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Catholic Theological Union, and McCormick Theological Seminary, are excited to announce this year’s ecumenical gathering, which continues to remind us that “God is still in control.”
As seminaries move forward through turbulent times, we are called to reflect on our present challenges and our future hopes. How do we keep Dr. King’s dream alive? How can theological education—and the theologians in training—live into Dr. King’s vision despite the difficulties of our time?
To engage in these essential questions, the theme for the 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration is “Learning and Living into the Dream: Theological Education for Such a Time as This.” Leading this year’s discussion will be the presidents of three Chicago seminaries: Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, President, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy, President, McCormick Theological Seminary, and Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, CP, President, Catholic Theological Union. These distinguished leaders will share their vision for how Dr. King’s dream can remain vibrant through current and future theological education.
The program will open with Praise & Worship featuring selected works of Dr. King read by students. An ecumenical choir composed of students, staff, and faculty from the three co-sponsoring schools will be led by LSTC’s Cantor, Dr. Keith “Doc” Hampton.
Following worship, The Rev. Dr. Linda Thomas, Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Professor of Theology and Anthropology, will moderate the presidential panel discussion.
A reception will follow in the Third Floor Atrium. Free parking will be available in the CTU’s parking garage.
If attending virtually, please join using the following Zoom link: lstc-edu.zoom.us/my/lstc.chapel
This event is sponsored in collaboration with three seminaries: The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago’s Pero Center for Intersectionality Studies. Catholic Theological Union, McCormick Theological Seminary.
Program
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4:30 p.m.
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Praise & Worship
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Songs by Three School Ecumenical Choir, led by Dr. Keith “Doc” Hampton
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Student readings from selected writings of Dr. Marting Luther King Jr.
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5:00 p.m.
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Panel Discussion
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Moderator:
Dr. Linda E. Thomas, Bernard, Fischer, Westberg Distinguished Professor of Theology and Anthropology
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Panelists:
Fr. Enzo Del Brocco, CP, President of CTU
Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy, President of MTS
Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan, President of LSTC
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6:00 p.m.
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Reception in the 3rd Floor, Atrium
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Panelist Biographies
Father Enzo Del Brocco, CP, PhD
Fr. Enzo Del Brocco brings with him a deep commitment to the Gospel, a compassionate heart for those who suffer and a profound love for theological education. Born in Pittsburgh, Fr. Enzo spent most of his childhood in the USA before moving to Italy with his family. He became a Passionist (Congregation of the Passion) in 1991 and was ordained a Priest in 1996. He holds a Licentiate in Moral Theology, a Master Degree in Human Resources, a Certification in Catholic Bioethics and a PhD in Healthcare Ethics.
Dr. Del Brocco has held various positions of leadership within the Passionist order in Italy (vocation director, formator, secretary to the Superior General and Provincial Superior) and is currently a member of the Provincial Council in the USA.
He has also traveled to numerous countries and is fluent in six languages. A well-known preacher and teacher, he has conducted retreats and workshops in different countries.
Rev. Dr. Maisha Handy
A Chicago native, Rev. Dr. Maisha I. Handy is an administrator, academician, pastor, and activist committed to education, justice, and liberation. She began her higher education journey at Lincoln University (MO), receiving a Bachelor of Science in Criminology/Criminal Justice (1989). After relocating to Atlanta, Georgia, she received the Master of Divinity degree with honors from Candler School of Theology, Emory University (1994), and the Ph.D. degree in Religion (Theology & Personality) from Emory University (2002).
Prior to her appointment as President at McCormick Theological Seminary in 2024, Dr. Handy served as the Interim President and Professor of Religion and Education at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia, where she had been employed for 24 years. Dr. Handy is the first African American president and second female leader at McCormick Theological Seminary. She is also the founding pastor of Rize Community Church in Atlanta, Ga., where she has served for 11 years.
Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan
The recently appointed president of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Dr. Hannan is a distinguished homiletician, ELCA pastor, and leader in theological education, Dr. Hannan brings more than two decades of experience in the classroom, the congregation, and the broader church. She most recently served as Professor of Homiletics at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California, and as core doctoral faculty at the Graduate Theological Union. She is the author of The Peoples’ Sermon: Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation (Fortress Press, 2021), and co-author of Scripting a Sermon: Using the Wisdom of Filmmaking for Impactful Preaching (WJK, 2024).
A graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (PhD, Practical Theology), Luther Seminary (MDiv), and Concordia College (Moorhead) (BA), Dr. Hannan has preached, taught, and led workshops across five continents. She is ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has long been active in ELCA candidacy and leadership formation.
