 |
|
COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
|
| C. Dean Freudenberger speaks about environmental awareness on Wednesday at Kresge Chapel on the Claremont School of Theology campus. |
Environmental leader recognized
Claremont celebrated earth day in many ways last week. One event, hosted by the Claremont School of Theology, featured a pioneer in the field of sustainable living awarded for his years of services to the community and leadership in promoting environmental awareness.
C. Dean Freudenberger, a retired professor at the School of Theology and current Pilgrim Place resident, has spent his entire adult life promoting environmental justice, long before ‘going green’ was popular.
Ordained as a minister for the United Methodist Church in 1955, Dr. Freudenberger traveled across the world studying agriculture and community development. During his tenure as a professor at the School of Theology, Dr. Freudenberger taught international development and missions.
“Long before An Inconvenient Truth had made a splash internationally, 25 years before the United Nations Earth Summit, a small school in southern California recognized that sustainability and agricultural development are theological issues,” said Dr. Frank Rogers, introducing his former colleague. “And they looked to hire someone who would become the first person full-time in theological education to study, research and teach around environmental ethics, sustainability and theology. And they found Dean Freudenberger.”
His colleagues said Dr. Freudenberger never failed to intertwine environmental justice into his coursework, a move that rubbed off on several professors around campus. Even a course on Hebrew Bible was transformed to incorporate environmental justice principles, Dr. Rogers said.
Not satisfied with just teaching environmental principles, Dr. Freudenberger put his ideas into action. He planted trees all over the School of Theology campus and much of the landscaping at the school can be attributed to him.
“Dean was as much a plumber, landscape architect and environmental activist, all rolled into one,” Dr. Rogers said. “I think it was an unofficial graduation requirement that every student had to spend time behind a shovel, actually planting trees or they weren’t going to get out of here with Dean’s blessing.” (story continues below)
 |
|
COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
|
| Retired Claremont School of Theology Professor C. Dean Freedenberg stands next to one of the many trees, which he personally planted decades ago on the CST campus. On Wednesday, Mr. Freedenberg was honored for his years of leadership in the field of environmental sustainability. |
After 17 years of traveling as a representative of the church, Dr. Freudenberger described his new job description at the School of Theology as putting “the world in the school and the school in the world.”
“I had the opportunity in my work to traverse the great forests, deserts, grasslands and croplands on 6 continents,” he said.
Addressing the captivated audience, Dr. Freudenberger spoke about the impact of mankind on its environment and the need to preserve our resources. He also spoke of his greatest passion, the need to end the rapid deforestation happening across the world.
“Creating a sustainable global society will require fundamental changes, the wholesale alteration of economic and social structures and a wholesale alteration of economic priorities and policies,” he said.
“If we are working towards a sustainable global society, every facet of human existence - that is what we eat, how we are employed, leisure, values, science and technology - will be affected,” he added.
Dr. Freudenberger became emotional when addressing his wife, Elsie, who embraced him at the end of the ceremony.
“I share this with my wife, who has struggled with me for 53 years now and relentlessly supported all the crazy things we’ve done,” he said.
For the School of Theology, which promotes the creation of religious leaders through coursework on ethic integrity, religious intelligence and intercultural understanding, the award ceremony was held in part to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The institute vowed to begin composting as a tribute to the work that Mr. Freudenberger began long ago.
—Tony Krickl
