APPLY TO MESSIAH

Commencement Speaker

2024 School of Graduate and Professional Studies Commencement Speaker

Amy Black - commencement speaker

Amy E. Black is Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College (IL). Prior to joining the Wheaton faculty in 2001, she taught at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Dr. Black earned her Ph.D. in Political Science at M.I.T. She is a specialist in American Government, and her teaching and research interests include religion and politics, women in politics, fostering civil dialogue, the Presidency and Congress. In 2000-2001, Dr. Black served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, working in the office of Representative Melissa A. Hart (PA-04). Most recently, she and Michael Wear co-authored the report “Christianity, Pluralism, and Public Life in the United States: Insights from Christian Leaders” published by the Trinity Forum.

She is the editor of Five Views on Church and Politics (Zondervan, 2015). Dr. Black’s other books include Honoring God in Red or Blue (Moody, 2012), Religion and American Politics: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives, edited with Douglas Koopman and Larycia Hawkins (Pearson Longman, 2011), Beyond Left and Right: Helping Christians Make Sense of American Politics (Baker Books, 2008), From Inspiration to Legislation:  How an Idea Becomes a Law (Prentice Hall, 2007), and, with Douglas Koopman and David Ryden, Of Little Faith: The Politics of George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiatives (Georgetown, 2004). She has contributed book chapters in several volumes such as C.S. Lewis in America: Readings and Reception, 1935-1947 (IVP Academic 2023), The Future of Evangelicalism in America (Columbia, 2016), Evangelicals on Public Policy Issues: Sustaining a Respectful Conversation (Abilene Christian University Press, 2014), Religion and the Bush Presidency (Palgrave/Macmillan, 2007). In addition to encyclopedia entries, she has written articles for publications including the International Journal of Public Opinion, Christianity Today, Leadership Journal, Current, and Books and Culture. Her article on “Opportunities and Obstacles: Congress and International Religious Freedom Policy” appeared in the 10th anniversary issue of the Review of Faith and International Affairs.

Dr. Black enjoys opportunities to engage a range of popular audiences. In addition to her writing, Dr. Black speaks regularly at conferences and symposia, college campuses, and churches. She was an adviser and contributor to the Colossian Forum’s Political Talk curriculum. She serves on Advisory Boards for the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, Christians in Political Science, and the Initiative on Faith and Public Life at the American Enterprise Institute. She regularly contributes political commentary for local and national radio stations and newspapers.

Dr. Black lives in Wheaton, IL with her husband, theologian Dan Treier, daughter, and rescue dog. When she is not cheering for local sports teams, she enjoys reading, baking, thrift shopping, and board games.