Ryan Bonfiglio, Exemplary Teacher of the Year, charts new courses to learning at Candler | Emory University

Summary: Ryan Bonfiglio used to be a Division I wrestling coach at Princeton University. But after taking a few classes for fun, he found a brand-new passion: studying the Old Testament. He traded the wrestling mat for the classroom and is now a theology professor at Emory University. Recently, he was even named Emory's Exemplary Teacher of the Year!

Students love his encouraging, coaching style in the classroom—many even call him "Coach." He also helped start The Candler Foundry, a program that makes high-level religious education available to everyday people in the community, not just college students. Whether he is teaching online, at a local library, or on campus, Bonfiglio knows exactly how to bring out the best in his students.

Source: rssapp-news-emory-edu URL: news.emory.edu/stories/2026/05/er_commencement_award_exemplary_teacher_bonfiglio_07-05-2026/story.html (opens in new tab)