June 26, 2004, GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- Barbara Brown Zikmund, chair of the National Council of Churches Interfaith Relations Commission, was honored by the Association of Theological Schools in the U.S. and Canada (ATS) at its 44th biennial meeting this summer for her "extraordinary contributions to the advancement of theological education and the fulfillment of its central purposes." 

The official accrediting body for seminary education in North America noted Zikmund's role in breaking new ground for women in leadership among seminaries. In 1986, she became the first woman to be elected president of ATS, and also served as president of the international, ecumenical World Conference of Associations of Theological Institutions. 

A United Church of Christ minister and church historian, Zikmund recently retired after 10 years as president of Hartford Seminary, where she led development of a strong interfaith focus.  Earlier she was dean at Pacific School of Religion and director of studies at Chicago Theological Seminary.  She is currently teaching at Doshisha University in Japan while providing leadership to NCC's Interfaith Relations. (Pictured: Zikmund with ATS chief executive Daniel O. Aleshire.)

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NCC Media Contact: Carol Fouke, 212-870-2252; cfouke@ncccusa.org