Austin Seminary Appoints Asante Todd to Faculty Position in Christian Ethics

AUSTIN, Texas (NOV. 15, 2012)—Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary has appointed Asante Uzuri Todd to serve as instructor in Christian Ethics, effective July 1, 2013.

Todd served the Seminary as a visiting lecturer in Christian Ethics during the 2011-2012 academic year through a partnership with the Theology and Practice program at Vanderbilt Divinity School. He is currently completing his requirements for the PhD at Vanderbilt University, writing a dissertation titled Political Sovereignty and Its Theologically Cultured Despisers: Prospects for an African American Political Theology. Todd will advance to the rank of assistant professor upon completion of his degree.

“Asante Todd will be a magnificent addition to our faculty in the years ahead,” President Theodore J. Wardlaw said. “He brings a deep formation in the Christian faith, the life of the church, and the field of Ethics to our community, and he will bless his colleagues and students with the capacity to inspire—both in and out of the classroom. He was a wonderful MDiv student here; he now comes back with the promise of being an equally wonderful teacher. Austin Seminary is fortunate, indeed!”

Todd earned his undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin in 2002 and his Master of Divinity degree from Austin Seminary in 2006, serving as president of the student body and receiving the Rachel Henderlite Award, given to a graduating student “who has made a significant contribution to cross-cultural and interracial relationships while at Austin Seminary.” Prior to attending Austin Seminary he worked for the Austin Area Urban League and served as youth minister at St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Austin.

He was the recipient of the 2011-2012 Fund for Theological Education Dissertation Fellowship. His publications include “Thomas Hobbes on Human Nature,” an essay in Beyond the Pale: Reading Ethics from the Margins (Westminster John Knox Press, 2011).

Dean Allan Cole said, “Asante Todd’s appointment to this position in Christian Ethics makes an excellent faculty even more so. Though just beginning his career, he has already demonstrated the ability for effective teaching and he has tremendous promise as a scholar. His scholarly interests and commitments to theological education will help further Austin Seminary’s mission. We look forward to welcoming him back to this community.”

Founded in 1902, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is an institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership. For more information and ways to support Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, visit www.austinseminary.edu.

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