About Us: History and Former Leadership

The Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life was established at Trinity College in 1996 to advance knowledge and understanding of the varied roles that religious movements, institutions, and ideas play in the contemporary world; to explore challenges posed by religious pluralism and tensions between religious and secular values; and to examine the influence of religion on politics, civic culture, family life, gender roles, and other issues in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Non-sectarian and non-partisan, the Center sponsors public lectures, organizes conferences and workshops, contributes to the liberal arts curriculum, and supports the publication and dissemination of materials for both academic and general audiences. Its initiatives are designed to foster discussion of religion in public life both within the campus community and among various external publics.

Many of the challenges of contemporary society involve the interaction of religious and secular values. Through its Program on Public Values, the Greenberg Center explores the broad range of values that inform public debate on critical issues of our time. In recent years the Program has engaged in a range of activities related to the threat of climate change. It also sponsors Trinity’s Moses Berkman 1920 Memorial Journalism Award, given to a distinguished American journalist for lifetime achievement.