Elizabeth "Libbie" Schrader Polczer is Assistant Professor of New Testament at Villanova University, having recently defended her PhD in Early Christianity and New Testament at Duke University. Her studies focus on textual criticism, Mary Magdalene, and the Gospel of John.
Elizabeth transitioned to religious scholarship after a long career as a singer/songwriter. She was the first winner of the Pantene Pro-Voice competition in 2001, after a performance opening for Jewel at SummerStage in New York's Central Park. You can watch a video of that performance here. Prizes included a nationwide club tour with Poe, as well as a demo deal with Atlantic Records. Her band also took part in Jewel's "Soul City Cafe" program for independent artists, and opened three shows on Jewel's "This Way" tour. She has opened for other artists as diverse as India.Arie, Michelle Branch, Ray LeMontagne, and Rusted Root.
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After writing a song about Mary Magdalene, Elizabeth enrolled in the M.A. program at General Theological Seminary. Her interest in the text of John's Gospel culminated in the publication of her Master's thesis in the Harvard Theological Review. She has published additional peer-reviewed papers in the Journal of Biblical Literature, TC: A Journal of Biblical Textual Criticism, and The Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies Bulletin.
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Interested in booking Elizabeth for a speaking engagement?
Contact Jim Chaffee at Chaffee Management Group
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For publishing and related inquires:
Amanda Annis, Trident Media Group
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For legal inquiries:
Michael Guido, Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, LLP
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To contact Elizabeth directly:
elizabeth@elizabethschrader.com or on Twitter at @libbieschrader