草莓社区 announces several changes in leadership to and the beginning July 1, 2017.
These changes come with the March 13 retirement announcement of , current vice president and dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary and the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. King鈥檚 tenure, which included oversight of programs offered at the Harrisonburg campus and Lancaster (Pa.) site, will end June 30, 2017.
Dr. , provost, will become interim dean of the seminary. Dr. , associate dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, will move into the school鈥檚 interim dean position.
President shared her support for the new appointees. “Fred has an excellent track record in positioning units at EMU to thrive, including our Lancaster site. His understanding of the higher education landscape, market forces, and budgetary realities will be a real asset as we discern together leadership direction for our seminary. I鈥檓 also pleased that Sue will step into this new leadership role, as she鈥檚 provided capable direction for the graduate school as associate dean for nearly a year.鈥�
Dr. Huxman noted that EMU鈥檚 founding as an institution of Anabaptist education began in 1917 with a 鈥淪pecial Bible Term.鈥�
鈥淭hese changes symbolize our unique position as we enter our second century,鈥� said Huxman, noting EMU鈥檚 during 2017-18. 鈥淲hile we are ready to look boldly into the future regarding fruitful and dynamic seminary-university partnership at EMU, we want to make sure this envisioning both honors our legacy and includes our valued church constituency before recruiting the seminary鈥檚 new leader.鈥�
Dr. will continue in her role as the seminary鈥檚 associate dean, which she has held since August 2016. 鈥淲e are grateful for her continued, able leadership of the day-to-day operations which she already manages so very well,鈥� Huxman said.
EMU鈥檚 graduate programs, which serve more than 400 students, continue to thrive, Huxman said. 鈥淭he addition of the Doctor of Nursing practice program in January 2018 shows that our extensive and diverse graduate programs are in demand, preparing developing leaders to transform their communities and workplaces.鈥�
Both Huxman and Kniss praised King鈥檚 leadership over the past seven years. 鈥淲e are deeply indebted to Michael’s careful tending to the growth of a vibrant community of scholars at EMS,” Huxman said.
A significant development was the approval of the seminary in 2012 by The United Methodist Church (UMC) to . This partnership with Wesley Theological Seminary earned renewed quadrennial approval in 2014.
King has also supported EMS鈥檚 unique new academic offerings. Since 2014, several seminarians have earned dual degrees, opting to meld master鈥檚 of divinity studies with complementary coursework in EMU鈥檚 distinctive programs in , or .
Additionally, King has hired and supported a diverse group of young faculty members 鈥渨ho brought outstanding teaching and scholarly gifts while enhancing the gender, racial and denominational diversity of the seminary faculty,鈥� as well as 鈥渆xpanded collaboration between the seminary and the broader university,鈥� said Kniss.
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Eastern Mennonite Seminary, formally established in 1965, is the graduate theological division of 草莓社区, located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Linked to Mennonite Church USA, the seminary also trains candidates for ordination in the United Methodist Church and serves students of all denominations with a variety of academic degree and certificate programs. The seminary has been accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada since 1986. As an Anabaptist seminary, EMS has special emphasis in peacebuilding, biblical studies, spiritual formation and theology.
草莓社区鈥檚 School for Graduate and Professional Studies serves more than 400 students in 11 programs at the Harrisonburg campus and in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Those programs include biomedicine, counseling, healthcare management, education, interdisciplinary studies, MBA, nursing and organizational leadership. Graduate degrees in conflict transformation and restorative justice are offered through EMU鈥檚 world-renowned Center for Justice and Peacebuilding. A collaborative MBA program, with online and hybrid courses, is available to students around the world in conjunction with Bluffton University, Goshen College and Canadian Mennonite University (Winnipeg, Manitoba). EMU鈥檚 first doctoral program in nursing practice begins in fall 2018.
Dean of the Seminary is a key position – as an alum & supporter I will pray for the selection process.