Bluffton University

Yoder Scholar Appointed

10/08/2025

As part of the role, Dr. Mast will also serve as editor of the C. Henry Smith Series in Anabaptist Culture and Thought and deliver one Yoder Scholar Lecture per year on a topic related to biblical, religious or Anabaptist studies.

Mast Named Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion

Bluffton University is pleased to announce that Dr. Gerald J. Mast has been appointed the Harry and Jean Yoder Scholar in Bible and Religion.

The appointment provides Mast with annual funds to support scholarly research and writing in areas related to Anabaptist-Mennonite life and thought. As part of the role, he will also serve as editor of the C. Henry Smith Series in Anabaptist Culture and Thought, formerly the C. Henry Smith Series, and deliver one Yoder Scholar Lecture per year on a topic related to biblical, religious or Anabaptist studies.

Mast, a member of Bluffton’s faculty since 1996, holds a doctorate in speech communication and rhetoric from the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of numerous essays, articles, reviews and books on a wide range of topics related to Anabaptist history and theology.

The Yoder Scholar appointment was formerly held by Dr. Alex Sider, president of Bluffton University and professor of religion.

Building on twenty-five years of publication and including thirteen books thus far, the C. Henry Smith Series in Anabaptist Culture and Thought serves the church and the academy with books that contribute to Anabaptist studies from a broad range of disciplines, including theology, history, ethics, biblical studies, philosophy, sociology, literature and communication. The series is rooted in the heritage of peace church scholarship represented by the life and work of Dr. C. Henry Smith, professor of history at Bluffton University from 1913–1948.