Michael J. Sleasman becomes the new director of bioethics programs at Trinity Graduate School, succeeding John F. Kilner, who recently retired after 25 years of service to the University.
Sleasman started as an affiliate professor at Trinity in 2004, and became managing director and research scholar at the
Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity in 2007. He earned both the Master of Divinity (’02) and Doctor of Philosophy in theological studies (’07) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
"While I regret that Dr. Sleasman will no longer be part of the day-to-day operations of CBHD, I'm also pleased that we will continue to collaborate on the entire ‘Bioethics at Trinity’ program,” CBHD executive director
Paige Cunningham said. “Whether a prospective student or a soon-to-be graduate finishing their capstone project, Michael is superbly equipped to respond.
“He will direct the program with care, creative insight and precision, and will continue to mentor and encourage the bioethics students of today and leaders of tomorrow," Cunningham said.
Kilner led the CBHD for 11 years, serving as founding president. Later he directed Trinity bioethics programs. His academic work and leadership have been widely honored, and he remains one of the most recognized and respected voices in the field of evangelical bioethics.
To honor his legacy, Trinity has established the John F. Kilner Student Mentorship Fund.
"The mentoring of students at Trinity is a great opportunity and joy for the mentor and student alike,” Kilner said. “I'm thrilled that funding is now available for this mentoring to take place in new ways."
The goal is to provide opportunities for students to enrich their educational experience and more deeply engage in Christian bioethics through mentored internships, research assistantships, and awards for excellence in bioethics scholarship.
“Unlike a traditional endowment, the Fund is a reservoir of resources to meet immediate needs and opportunities,” Cunningham said. “It honors Dr. Kilner’s unmatched legacy of encouraging and mentoring scores of bioethics students for more than 25 years.”
Cunningham cited examples of how the fund could benefit future students:
- An internship with stipend at CBHD
- An underwriten Research Assistantship in bioethics, which will make an invaluable contribution to a young scholar's resume
- A scholarship for a faculty member to bring a student they are mentoring to the annual bioethics conference
- Cash prizes for excellence in bioethics scholarship
Please submit online donations to the fund
here