William McCutchen Jr. B.S.C.E.’62 and his wife, Irene Lilly McCutchen ’62, P’86, believe deeply in the guiding hand of God in their lives. Their $1.5 million gift endowing the Irene and William McCutchen Professorship was just the latest in their long history of philanthropy to the university. With it, Christena Cleveland was named the new director of the Center for Reconciliation (CFR) at Duke Divinity School. The professorship will provide financial stability and a foundation for future growth of the CFR, which was founded in 2005 to support faith leaders who work toward reconciliation in the United States and abroad.

“We have been blessed by our involvement with the center for the last decade, and we believe its work is vital in the United States and around the world. From our own personal experience we are convinced that, working with the exceptional theological education and ministerial training offered by Duke Divinity School, the CFR offers both superb preparation for ordained and other ministries and hope for people seeking reconciliation within a Christian framework.”