An accomplished educator of religious studies with more than four decades of experience, Ann Marie B. Bahr excelled at South Dakota State University from 1988 up until her retirement in 2012, at which point she was honored with emerita status. Over the course of her career at the university, which reflected the state’s significant Native American population, she engaged students with diverse backgrounds and interests in religion; conducted extensive research in her field, focusing on interreligious dialogue and world peace; and served on various committees to enhance the integration of religious studies with other academic programs. In addition, she proposed and developed several new courses, including Middle East Studies and Geography of Religions, in order to address contemporary issues and broaden student understanding. Outside of the classroom, she took a part-time job driving a van for the local school district for special education students.

Dr. Bahr’s success in her role emerged from her strong educational background and early academic experiences, which she has considered enriching and multifaceted. Growing up in a lower-middle-class home, she had the opportunity to pursue higher education as one of the first Presidential Scholars, a program that selected two high school students from each state to study in Washington, D.C., enabling her to attend an esteemed college tuition-free. Upon earning a Bachelor of Arts in geology from Lawrence University in 1972, she realized her true passion was in religious studies and explored the subject as a student at Stanford University, ultimately earning a master’s in 1976. She subsequently taught at Glassboro State College, Delaware County Community College, and LaSalle University. Determined to deepen her credentials, as academic positions in religious studies were limited, she attended Temple University, where she found an ideal environment for her interests. The department was characterized by a collaborative spirit among professors that represented various major world religions, all united in a mission to foster interreligious dialogue and promote world peace. This framework aligned with her desire to explore the complexities of different belief systems.

When she joined the faculty at South Dakota State, Dr. Bahr immersed herself in Native American religions and philosophy, offering tutorials before specialized training for Native American studies was widely available. Her efforts not only expanded her own understanding but also fostered a more inclusive environment at the school, which helped Native American students feel more comfortable, knowing there was someone with a genuine interest in their cultural perspectives. In addition to her teaching, she’s contributed articles to several professional publications, including The Journal of Ecumenical Studies and The Chronicle of Higher Education, wrote a weekly column for The Brookings Register for many years, and has spoken across numerous academic, professional, and church engagements—such as a major conference in Hawaii. She’s also been active with the South Dakota Committee on the Humanities.

After completing her career in South Dakota in 2012, Dr. Bahr relocated to Vermont and discovered a community of like-minded individuals who shared her quest for sustainable living. One of her significant personal achievements is the way she has integrated her academic interests with her agricultural pursuits. She operates a small farm where she raises dairy goats and engages in organic gardening. Illustrating her commitment to local-level initiatives. Looking toward the future, she strives to make time for her publications, travel, and reflect on her experiences and insights from her lifelong journey.