Kathryn McClymond

Kathryn T. McClymond (born October 13, 1960) is an American historian of religions and academic administrator serving as the 18th president of Oglethorpe University since 2023.

Life
McClymond was born on October 13, 1960, in Washington, D.C. She is from Pittsburgh. She earned a B.A., cum laude, in history and literature from Harvard College in 1982. In 1985, she earned a M.A. from the Trinity Divinity School. She completed a M.A. (1995) and Ph.D. (1999) in religious studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her 1999 dissertation was titled In the Matter of Sacrifice: A Comparative Study of Vedic and Jewish Sacrifice. Barbara A. Holdrege was her doctoral advisor.

McClymond is a historian of religions who is specialized in Hinduism and Judaism. She was a faculty member at Georgia State University for 22 years. In August 2008, she became a professor and chair of the department of religious studies. In 2013, she was elected a member of the American Society for the Study of Religion. She later served as the associate dean for faculty development in the college of arts and sciences. On July 19, 2021, McClymond joined Oglethorpe University as its provost and vice president of academic affairs. On June 3, 2023, became its interim president. She is the first woman to serve in the role. In November 2023, she was named its 18th president, succeeding Nick Ladany.