Background
Donovan Ackley III was born as Heather Ann Ackley on January 22, 1966, in Massillon, Ohio, United States, a daughter of Donovan Waller II Ackley, a library scientist, and Holly Parshall Ackley, a clerk.
1972 Clark Ave, Alliance, OH 44601, United States
In 1988, Donovan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Union College (present-day the University of Mount Union)
1325 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
In 1991, Ackley attained a Master of Arts degree from Claremont School of Theology.
150 E 10th St, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
In 1997, Donovan got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Claremont Graduate University.
1972 Clark Ave, Alliance, OH 44601, United States
In 1988, Donovan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Union College (present-day the University of Mount Union)
1325 N College Ave, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
In 1991, Ackley attained a Master of Arts degree from Claremont School of Theology.
150 E 10th St, Claremont, CA 91711, United States
In 1997, Donovan got a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Claremont Graduate University.
(Urban Appalachian evangelical Christian women singers, th...)
Urban Appalachian evangelical Christian women singers, the author argues, express a theodicy, or personal view of the divine. This study is based on the theory of process theology as articulated by John B. Cobb, Jr. and others. The author examines the lives of Appalachian migrants in the urban Midwest, the women's ballads as a narrative resource for theodicy, the women's perspectives on identity and their theological perspectives on the problems of evil and pain.
https://www.amazon.com/Women-Central-Appalachia-Studies-Religion/dp/0773475087
2001
Donovan Ackley III was born as Heather Ann Ackley on January 22, 1966, in Massillon, Ohio, United States, a daughter of Donovan Waller II Ackley, a library scientist, and Holly Parshall Ackley, a clerk.
In 1988, Donovan received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount Union College (present-day the University of Mount Union). In 1991, he attained a Master of Arts degree from Claremont School of Theology. Then, Ackley continued his education at Claremont Graduate University, graduating with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1997.
During the period from 1991 till 1993, Donovan served as an assistant director at the Center for Process Studies in Claremont. In 1993, he was appointed a research assistant at the Institute for Antiquities and Christianity in Claremont, a post he held till 1994.
In 1995, Ackley acted as a program assistant for Barrier Free Program at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in Los Angeles. Between 1997 and 1999, he held a post of an adjunct professor of Religion at the Southwest Bible College in Moreno Valley. Also, in 1998, Donovan was appointed an assistant professor of Religion and Philosophy at Azusa Pacific University, a post he held till 2013, when he made a coming out as a transgender.
From March 2014 till June 2014, Ackley held a post of a professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of California in Oakland. Between February 2014 and December 2017, he served as a professor of Religious Studies at the University of Redlands. During the period from January 2016 till June 2018, Donovan worked with trans suicide prevention and crisis intervention at Trans Lifeline, a non-profit organization, that works to end transgender suicide and improve the overall mental health of transgender people through education, advocacy and direct service.
Throughout his career, Donovan has consulted to promote trans competence with Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health; SafetyNet, non-profit advocacy resource organization for LGBTQ students at Christian colleges and universities; the annual Film+Art festival On Level Ground and various colleges, seminaries, universities and non-profit organizations.
Moreover, Donovan acted as a member of the editorial board of Christians for Theological Reflection. He also contributed to different periodicals, including Academic Exchange Quarterly, Journal of the Wesleyan Theological Society, Now and Then, Creative Transformation, Nexus: Cross-Cultural Study in Asian American Theology and Ministry and Process Studies.
Currently, he is serving as a peer support specialist and curriculum developer, who focuses on empathetic, empowering trauma inquiry and response, self and community care, particularly to prevent and address retraumatization in mental health and corrective/detention systems, that perpetuate a cycle of "chronic" mental illness.
Donovan Ackley III (formerly Heath Adam or Heather Ann) gained prominence as a transgender professor of Religious Studies, Philosophy and Gender Studies. Also, he is an author of "Women, Music and Faith in Central Appalachia" (2001).
In addition, Donovan is a recipient of Lilly/Luce Fellowship (2000-2001).
(Urban Appalachian evangelical Christian women singers, th...)
2001Donovan said, that his primary motivation for writing was to combine academic and spiritual interests with his commitment to neglected areas of his discipline, particularly the inclusion of the voices of women of his home region, central Appalachia. He is also interested in the influence of popular culture on the spirituality of the allegedly "post-Christian" era.
Donovan is a member of the American Academy of Religion and Wesleyan and Holiness Women Clergy Association.
In 2013, Donovan Ackley III (then Heather Ann) came out as a transgender man.
As a women, named Heather Ann, Donovan married Arnold David Bean, a developer, on March 20, 1994. Their marriage produced one child - Anna Clara. In January 2002, the couple divorced.
