At its commencement on May 21, the Claremont School of Theology awarded an honorary doctorate to Dr. John Cobb Jr., PhD. Dr. Cobb is a renowned process theologian and United Methodist. Dr. Cobb has written, co-written, or edited more than 50 books, including Christ in a Pluralistic Age, God and the World, and For the Common Good (with Herman Daly), which was the co-winner of the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order.

Dr. Cobb was the Ingraham professor of theology at CST, Avery professor at the Claremont Graduate School, Fullbright professor at the University of Mainz in Germany and visiting professor at Vanderbilt, Harvard and Chicago Divinity Schools. He pioneered a theology that is both Christocentric as well as accepting in its approach to other faiths, and includes ecological concerns as an essential and interrelated part of that theology, for the sake of future generations.

Pilgrim Place resident Paul Minus, a retired educator and later involved in several nonprofits linking ethics and economics, received the Social Responsibility Award from LeadingAge California, the state’s leading advocate for quality, not-for-profit senior living and care.

The most recent achievement of Mr. Minus involved raising funds for a remodeled resident activity center at Pilgrim Place called the Napier Center for Creative Change, in honor of deceased residents Davie and Joy Napier.

Mr. Minus realized that the potential for the program extended further and  spearheaded the effort to create the Napier Awards, a fellowship program that brings together students from the Claremont Colleges interested in projects reflecting various aspects of social responsibility, and matching them with mentors and elders at Pilgrim Place with experience in similar programs.

Mr. Minus was recognized at the LeadingAge California Annual Conference, held earlier this month in Monterey, California.