World Religions and Cultures

The major and minor programs in the Department of World Religions and Cultures at Western Michigan University are designed for those who, whether they are religious or not, want to know more about religion, the role and significance of religion in societies today and in the past, and the ways in which academics think about and analyze religion and related concepts. Western Michigan University has the oldest religious studies program in the state of Michigan and the only department with a graduate program in religion in Michigan.

The Department is pleased to announce a special symposium in honor of the retirement of Dr. Brian Wilson.The symposium will consist of presentations by eleven scholars who have worked with Dr. Wilson and include eight graduates of the Department. The symposium is free and open to the public. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Wilson’s career.
Symposium in Honor of the Retirement of Dr. Brian Wilson

The Department is pleased to announce a special symposium in honor of the retirement of Dr. Brian Wilson. The symposium will consist of presentations by eleven scholars who have worked with Dr. Wilson and include eight graduates of the Department. The symposium is free and open to the public. Please join us in celebrating Dr. Wilson’s career on October 17th, 2026 in Dunbar 1302.

Schedule

10:45 am - Opening Remarks: Dr. Carla Koretsky, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Kevin Wanner, Chair, Department of World Religions and Cultures.

11:00 am - Session 1:

  • Dr. Jon Stone, California State University, Long Beach
  • Dr. Kevin Burton, Andrews University
  • Dr. Amy Derogatis, Michigan State University
  • Dr. Megan Leverage, Western Michigan University
  • Chair: Malyn Berger, Western Michigan University

12:30 pm - Lunch

1:30 pm - Session 2:

  • Dr. Ryan Stickler, Newcastle University, Australia
  • Dr. Lydia Walker, Barton College
  • Dr. Brandon Dean, University of Iowa
  • Dr. Zachary Smith, Penn State Harrisburg
  • Chair: Ian Russel, Western Michigan University

3:00 pm - Break

3:15 pm - Session 3:

  • Dr. Dustin Byrd, The University of Olivet
  • Ryan Lemasters, University of Kansas
  • Mohammed Mohammed, Fetzer Institute
  • Chair: Nicalas Broxholm, Western Michigan University

4:45 pm - Session 4: Open mike

5:00 pm - Closing remarks

 

Office Hours

The Department of World Religions and Cultures at Western Michigan University will be open during all regular business hours, Monday through Friday. We will maintain a physical presence on campus on:

Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To make appointments, email the individual you wish to see. If you are unsure who you need to meet with, contact Allison Boerema for assistance.

News

Faculty specialist Kefas Lamak published his articles Science and Faith: Christian Approaches to COVID-19 in the City of Jos and Environs, and The Great Awakening: Conversion and Fight for Freedom in African American Christianity 1734-1742 in December 2025.

Faculty specialist Kefas Lamak is selected as a recipient of the 2025 Faculty Advancement Award! This award will cover funding for participation in a four-week virtual course, "Rethinking Your Research Funding,” which is offered by the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity.

Sins of Excess book cover

Dr. Anderson Hagler publishes his book, Sins of Excess: The Spatial Politics of Idolatry and Magic in Colonial Mexico with the University of Oklahoma Press.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read past department news here.