Peter Ross Bedford, associate professor of Religious Studies and History at Australia’s Edith Cowan University, has been named Union’s first John and Jane Wold Professor of Religious Studies. He will direct an interdisciplinary program in Religious Studies, teaching a variety of courses.

"Peter Bedford is broadly educated and understands well the study of religion in a liberal arts context," said President Stephen C. Ainlay. "His ability to teach about religions of the world and his commitment to interdisciplinarity will undoubtedly serve Union well. I am also extraordinarily grateful to the Wold family for its continued generosity to Union."

Union has had a minor in religious studies for 15 years, and Bedford’s hiring is a key step toward eventually elevating the program to a major to enable students to understand and appreciate religious diversity in the modern world. Bedford will officially join Union Sept. 1.

A search committee chaired by Mathematics Professor Julius B. Barbanel selected Bedford from among 115 applicants.

Bedford’s appointment "marks a very important step in the development of our Religious Studies program," said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty Therese McCarty. "He is a world-class scholar, an experienced administrator and a dedicated teacher."

Bedford, 49, received his B.A. from the University of Sydney and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago’s Department of Near East Languages and Civilizations.

"The academic study of religion finds a natural home at Union," he said. "It is integral to the liberal arts curriculum since religion is pervasive in human societies, currently and historically."

The new faculty position is made possible by John Wold ’38, a geologist and former U.S. congressman from Casper, Wyo., and his wife, Jane, who pledged $20 million to Union in 2002.