Hartford Seminary held a reception honoring Dean Efrain Agosto and Professor Kelton Cobb on Thursday, May 12 to recognize their service to the Seminary.

Efrain Agosto, Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament, who has been on the Hartford Seminary faculty since 1995, has accepted a position as Professor of New Testament Studies at New York Theological Seminary in his hometown, New York City, effective July 1, 2011. Efrain has been a much appreciated colleague over the 16 years that he has been at Hartsem. He has served the Seminary in several capacities, as New Testament Professor, Director of the Hispanic Ministries Program, and Academic Dean. In each case Efrain has brought to his leadership, considerable knowledge and skills and also great human warmth and joy of service to others, particularly, though by no means exclusively, to the Latino community.

Kelton Cobb, Professor of Theology and Ethics, has accepted a teaching position with the Oregon Extension of Eastern University. This program, located in a renovated logging camp near Ashland, Oregon is an off-campus educational program that draws undergraduate students for a single semester each fall and a short term in May for specialized study in religion and environmental studies. Kelton has been on the faculty for 16 years. He has been an integral part of and given important leadership to teaching theology and ethics, editing the journal Conversations, and coordinating our Cooperative M.Div. program.

Please enjoy these photos of the celebration.

Florence Clarke, a Master of Arts student, spoke eloquently about Efrain Agosto’s time at Hartford Seminary. They share an embrace after her remarks.

Jane Ellingwood, who is a Ph.D. student, thanks Professor Kelton Cobb for his sage advice as her advisor.

President Heidi Hadsell presents a gift to Kelton to thank him for her service to Hartford Seminary.

A light moment during Kelton’s remarks prompted laughter from Efrain Agosto and Heidi Hadsell.

The program speakers were Jane Ellingwood, Kelton Cobb, Heidi Hadsell, Efrain Agosto and Florence Clarke.

Listening to the remarks were, in foreground, Steven Blackburn, Librarian and Faculty Associate.

Sharing a moment are Efrain and Heidi with Margaret Devaruex, a Black Ministries Program student, who is graduating in June.

Efrain talks with Michael Rion, former Seminary president, and Jim Nieman, who is Professor of Practical Theology and incoming dean.

Professor Scott Thumma, right, talks with Minlib Dallh, who will graduate from the Ph.D. program in June.

Toasting Kelton is Ed Waggoner, who has been named Visiting Professor in Theology and Ethics.

Efrain poses with Donna Berman, executive director of the Charter Oak Cultural Center and adjunct faculty at the Seminary.

Mustafa Boz, an Islamic Chaplaincy student, talks with Professor Timur Yuskaev, director of the Islamic Chaplaincy program

Sharing a moment are Professor Scott Thumma with Faculty Associate Ben Watts and President Hadsell.