Ten Years at Austin Seminary

2012 marks the tenth year Theodore J. Wardlaw has served as the president of Austin Seminary. During the Fall meeting of the Board of Trustees, he was honored for his achievements and the leadership he has brought Austin Seminary. Here are some highlights of the past 10 years of Austin Seminary under the leadership of Ted Wardlaw:

  • The Seminary has raised more than $45 million in support of the mission to educate and equip individuals for the ministry of Christ.
  • Under his leadership six faculty chairs were endowed.
    • The Ruth A. Campbell Chair of New Testament
    • The C. Ellis and Nancy Gribble Nelson Chair of Christian Education
    • The Thomas White Currie Jr. Chair of American Church History
    • The Nancy Taylor Williamson Chair of Pastoral Care
    • The Dorothy B. Vickery Chair of Homiletics and Liturgical Studies
    • The Clarence N. and Betty B. Frierson Distinguished Chair of Reformed Theology
  • Nine new faculty appointments, including Allan Cole, Jennifer Lord, David White, Monya Stubbs, Kristin Saldine, KC Ptomey, Suzie Park, and Gregory Cuéllar.
  • Fifty-three endowed scholarships were established which help minimize educational debt and allow seminary graduates to serve where they are needed, with less consideration for salary.
  • The construction of Anderson House in 2009, the first phase of a new generation of student housing envisioned for Austin Seminary.

His leadership of the past decade extends beyond the walls of Austin Seminary. Ted serves on the executive committee for the Committee on Theological Education (C.O.T.E.) and was most recently appointed to the Special Committee to Review the Funding for Theological Institutions. This special committee is charged with proposing a strengthened funding system for the support of theological institutions by the church and will report to the 221st General Assembly in 2014.

The Austin Seminary community has benefitted from his leadership and dedication to the Seminary and the church during the past ten years. As many said in their recorded special congratulatory messages presented to him during the recent Board meeting, we are looking forward to the next milestone of Austin Seminary.