Southeastern Board of Trustees elect new faculty, approve budget in spring meeting
January 19, 2017
On April 18-19, the Board of Trustees at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) held their spring meeting where they elected four new faculty members, voted on curriculum revisions and approved the 2016-2017 budget and fee schedule.
Keith Whitfield who serves SEBTS as the vice president for academic administration was elected as assistant professor of theology. Whitfield has been a part of SEBTS since 2014 and previously served as the associate dean of The College at Southeastern (C@SE) and the associate vice president of institutional effectiveness. Whitfield received his Bachelor of Science from Clemson University and earned his Master of Divinity in Biblical and Theological Studies and Master of Theology degrees from Southern Seminary. He also received his Doctorate in Philosophy from SEBTS.
The trustees approved Matthew Mullins as an assistant professor of English and history of ideas. Mullins holds a Bachelor of Arts in History of Ideas and Biblical Studies from C@SE, a Master of Arts in English from North Carolina State University and a Doctorate in English from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Joshua Waggener was approved as assistant professor of music and Christian worship. Waggener earned his Bachelor of Music from Trinity University, Master of Music from the University of Georgia, Master of Church Music from SEBTS and a Doctorate in Philosophy, Musicology from Durham University in England. He has served SEBTS in music and worship education since 2008.
The trustees also voted Benjamin Quinn as assistant professor of theology and history of ideas. Quinn also serves SEBTS as the associate dean for institutional effectiveness and C@SE as the program coordinator of general education, theology, ethics, Associates of Arts and Associates of Divinity. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Union University, a Master of Divinity in Christian Ministry from SEBTS, a Master of Theology in Christian Ethics from SEBTS and a Doctorate in Theology from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom.
Four faculty members received promotions during the trustee meeting, including Keith Harper to senior professor of Baptist studies, Kenneth Keathley to senior professor of theology, Larry Purcell to professor of theology and Alvin Reid to senior professor of evangelism and student ministry.
The board also reviewed and approved curriculum revisions and additions at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These actions created new Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees; approved curriculum revisions in Biblical Studies, Ministry Studies, and Theological Studies; and updated the seminary’s Advanced M.Div. degree. To conclude their meeting, the trustees gathered around the newly elected faculty to commission them in prayer.
In addition to the spring trustee meeting, Southeastern hosted its biannual meeting of the Southeastern Society (SES) where donors and ministry partners receive an update on the happenings of the seminary and college.
SES members heard a report from President Danny Akin that overall student enrollment is up 123 students from last year, making 2016 the 6th year of record enrollment for SEBTS. They also had the opportunity to meet and pray for several 2+2 students and participate in a Skype call with a SEBTS student living in Prague, Czech Republic.
At the annual SES and BOT banquet held at Richland Creek Community Church, Akin asked SEBTS ministry partners and donors to continue to pray, send and support the students, faculty and staff as a partnership in fulfilling the Great Commission.
“We consciously, intentionally say ‘every classroom a Great Commission classroom, every professor a Great Commission professor and every student a Great Commission student who we pray will become a Great Commission graduate who will go out and lead Great Commission churches,” Akin said as he closed.
During Tuesday chapel, Akin recognized Stacy Davidson, Chris Griggs and Henry Williamson for their service as SEBTS trustees. The three men will rotate off of the board this year.
The next SES and BOT meetings will be held in fall 2016. For more on the Southeastern Society and how you can be part of sending Southeastern students to minister all over the world, click here.
To view photos from the SES and BOT meetings, click here.