The Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce this year’s Distinguished Alumni for 2026. A list of previous winners can be found on the BUSTH website.
“The 2026 Distinguished Alumni are communal leaders extraordinaire. Exceptionally integrating academic excellence, compassionate outreach, and organizational genius, they have cultivated transformative communities across the globe by fostering wholistic well-being, coordinating humanitarian relief, and equipping churches, groups, and leaders to meet the challenges of today with wisdom, courage, and insight toward healing and reconnection,” says G. Sujin Pak, dean. “We are grateful for your leadership and celebrate you!”
A celebration of these alums and their achievements will be part of our annual Community Day, scheduled for Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Please register for our Community Day by responding on this page.
2026 School of Theology Distinguished Alumni
Dr. Charles S. Brown (’73)
Reverend John Calhoun (’96)
Reverend Mary J. Scifres (’91)
In the category of Emerging Leader:
Dr. Charles Daniels, Jr. (’20)
2026 Distinguished Alumni Biographies
Dr. Charles Sumner Brown (ThD’73) is Distinguished Professor of Christian Ethics at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, and a lifelong champion of scholarship, faith, and service. Born in Plant City, Florida, he built a formidable academic foundation: an A.B. from Morehouse College (1956), an M.Div. cum laude from United Theological Seminary (1962), a Doctor of Theology from Boston University (1973), and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Central State University (1993).
His career reflects a rare breadth of leadership across academia, ministry, and community life. Dr. Brown has served as Professor of Church & Society at United Theological Seminary, Associate Professor of Practical Theology (with tenure) at Yale University Divinity School, and Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health at Wright State University Medical School. His civic service includes the Governing Board of The Dayton Foundation, the Greater Southwestern Ohio Urban League, and the presidency of the Ohio Baptist General Convention.
A devoted family man, Dr. Brown is married to Joan Marie Steed and is the proud father of two sons, Charles Sumner Jr. and Gene Mitchell.
Dr. Brown’s life of scholarship, faith, and service embodies the character and grace of a Gentleman Scholar of Distinction.
For the past 26 years, the Rev. John Calhoun (MDiv’96) has served as a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. His most recent assignment, from 2020 through May 2026, was as pastor of the English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna, Austria, a multicultural congregation of about 300 members and friends from nearly 40 countries.
Before his pastoral role in Austria, John served in mission with the United Methodist Church in Ukraine, overseeing a local outreach ministry in Kyiv, then establishing a new faith community for international students displaced to Kyiv from eastern Ukraine following the 2014 Russian invasion. He also provided leadership for the founding of the Institute for Multicultural Ministry, an initiative of Global Ministries to equip pastors in Europe serving churches engaging with migrants and refugees.
From 2001 to 2005, John was assigned as pastor of the Moscow Protestant Chaplaincy, an international, interdenominational Protestant congregation in Moscow, Russia. He then served in the office of humanitarian relief and church development of the Methodist Church in Kenya, and as the coordinator of World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel, an advocacy ministry of the World Council of Churches.
Before joining Global Ministries, John served pastoral roles in congregations in New York City, Berlin, and Jerusalem. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, John earned his undergraduate degree in Russian and economics from Georgetown University. He received a Master of Divinity degree from Boston University School of Theology. John and his wife Noel have two adult sons.
Rev. Mary J. Scifres (MDiv/MSM’91) is an executive leadership coach, consultant, author, and United Methodist pastor whose career has focused on helping leaders and organizations navigate change with clarity, purpose, and renewed vision.
Scifres earned her Master of Sacred Music and Master of Divinity Magna Cum Laude from Boston University after completing her bachelor’s degree at the University of Indianapolis. She later received advanced certification in Organizational Development and Leadership from Southern Methodist University and has continued extensive professional training in leadership, coaching, conflict competence, and emotional intelligence.
Over more than three decades of ministry and organizational leadership, Scifres has become known for guiding congregations, organizations, and executive leaders through periods of transition, conflict, growth, and transformation. As an executive coach and consultant, she helps leaders strengthen their leadership presence, build healthier teams, clarify mission and vision, and translate opportunities into meaningful impact.
Scifres is also an acclaimed speaker, teacher, and author of more than 75 published works. An ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, she currently serves as Interim Lead Pastor of Hollywood United Methodist Church while continuing her national work in executive leadership coaching and organizational development.
Emerging Leader
Dr. Charles C. Daniels, Jr. (MDiv’20) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, scholar, author, and nationally recognized leader whose work sits at the intersection of fatherhood, mental health, and racial equity. He is the co-founder and CEO of Fathers’ UpLift, the nation’s first mental health and substance use treatment organization built specifically to serve fathers and families, helping men overcome barriers, strengthen their emotional well-being, and become more engaged in their children’s lives.
For more than a decade, Dr. Daniels has worked extensively with Black fathers and families, addressing the trauma, stigma, and systemic barriers that can contribute to father absence and family disconnection. His work challenges deficit-based narratives about fathers by focusing on their capacity to heal, reconnect, and remain present.
He is the author of Present: The Crisis of American Fatherhood and the Power of Showing Up (Convergent, Penguin Random House), which examines why fathers disengage, the barriers that can keep them away, and the courageous journeys of men working to reconnect with their children. Through his clinical practice, research, writing, and advocacy, Dr. Daniels is helping reshape how communities and systems understand, engage, and support fathers.