Harvard Divinity School is pleased to announce a new gift from Mario Cader-Frech, MRPL ’24, that will rename the Sperry Room to the Cader Room in celebration of the School’s educational offerings and programming around religious literacy in media and entertainment.
“I have personally witnessed and experienced the progress HDS has made over the past 10 years in expanding its outreach program to promote religious literacy to a broader audience,” said Cader-Frech. “Promoting religious literacy through the study of religion and film is important to me because through my work as media executive I have learned first-hand how media shapes societal perceptions and narratives. Dedicating a room to recognize those studying the intersections of religion and media is a fitting way to build awareness of this field. At the same time, this seems appropriate to continuing the legacy of Dean Sperry.”
During his time as HDS Dean, Sperry modernized the School’s curriculum, integrating contemporary theological, philosophical, and social perspectives. Cader-Frech learned about Dean Sperry in Professor Dan McKanan’s class, “Race, Empire, and Harvard Divinity School.” When Andover Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School joined in 1922, Willard Learoyd Sperry became the Dean of the joint School of Theology. When Andover Theological Seminary and HDS split, Sperry remained Dean of HDS until 1953.
Cader-Frech has been a valued member of the HDS community for nearly a decade, taking courses part time since 2015 and serving on the HDS Dean’s Council for nearly seven years. From 2019-2022, he was a Religion and Public Life fellow, and he was a full-time student in 2023-24, when he was enrolled in the Master’s in Religion and Public Life degree program.
In recognition of Cader-Frech's generous gift to HDS, the Sperry Room in Swartz Hall will be renamed to the Cader Room. The change is scheduled to take place later this summer.
The Cader Room will be a valuable resource and will host future programming and offerings at the intersections of religious literacy and media, including the annual HDS Film Festival, “while keeping the spirit alive of Dean Sperry, who was pivotal for HDS efforts to expand its outreach to a broader audience,” says Cader-Frech. The room will continue to host classes, lectures, and events more broadly, as well.
“This generous gift will strengthen HDS by celebrating the importance of research and projects that stand at the intersection of religion and media,” said Dean Marla F. Frederick. “We are delighted to have this convening space named for our alumnus and dedicated friend. Mario’s charitable gift will make meaningful impact in our community and provide important resources for students. We are truly grateful for his kindness and his longstanding commitment to HDS.”
Editor's note: Join us as we celebrate the naming of the Cader Room with a public screening of Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It. Doors open by 1:15 pm. Refreshments provided. Open to the Harvard community. More information here.
—HDS Office of Communications