Patricia Raybon

You could call the departure of Patricia Raybon (MA '77) from the School's faculty a faith-based initiative. This spring, after 14 years as a CU journalism professor, the former reporter for The Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News left her teaching duties to follow her recent success in writing about spirituality.

"After enjoying two careers – in both print and academic journalism – I've decided to take early retirement from my SJMC faculty position to do what I've always been called to do – write and speak full-time about faith," she said. "My new book, 'I Told the Mountain to Move,' about my struggle to learn how to pray, kick-started the process."

The book is a finalist in Christianity Today Magazine's 2006 Book Awards competition.

"I'm new to evangelical publishing, and I don't expect to actually win. But the nomination tells me I'm on the right track and in the right camp for my writing. In fact, I've found the evangelical community, in general, and the Christian community, in particular, to be far more diverse, open-minded and welcoming than typically represented in the mainstream media," Raybon said. "So I'm excited to turn a page and start this new journey."

She said that although she's moving in a new direction, she's grateful that she won't have to leave behind what she values most about academia.

"I'd like to thank all at SJMC for their wonderful support, friendship and help over the past 14 years," Raybon said. "One priceless reward: meeting and working with so many amazing scholars and students. And a bonus – we're all just an e-mail away."

Raybon's author Web site is www.PatriciaRaybon.com; her e-mail address is Patricia@PatriciaRaybon.com.