wfn.org | SFTS President Don McCullough Steps Down

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Note #5883 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

4-May-2000
00180

	SFTS President Don McCullough Steps Down

	Trustees accept resignation after he admits to "inappropriate conduct"

	by Jerry L. Van Marter

SAN ANSELMO, Calif. -- The Rev. Donald W. McCullough, who in six years as
president of San Francisco Theological Seminary presided over an impressive
revitalization of the 125-year-old institution, resigned May 1 after
admitting to "inappropriate conduct" while he was pastor of Solana Beach
Presbyterian Church near San Diego prior to coming to the seminary.

	The seminary's Board of Trustees, after meeting all day, voted to accept
his resignation "with deep regret."

	McCullough's resignation came as he -- and the seminary community --
awaited the verdict of a trial conducted last week by the Permanent Judicial
Commission of San Francisco Presbytery on charges of sexual misconduct and
sexual abuse during his 14-year pastorate at the Solana Beach church. 
McCullough divorced and remarried while he was president of SFTS.

	The verdict in the trial is expected May 5.

	The Board of Trustees issued a terse statement thanking McCullough "with
great appreciation for his six years of exemplary service to SFTS."

	Trustees chair Everett Marley told the "Marin Independent-Journal"
newspaper, "The board determined, with Donald, that it was no longer
possible for him to continue as president."  Marley said McCullough will
stay in office for four weeks to assist with the transition, "but he will
not serve in any public capacities, including commencement."

	He referred all other questions to the seminary's Vice-president for
Advancement, the Rev. Ron Lundeen.

	San Francisco Presbytery refused to comment about the case until after the
verdict is announced, but said the charges all involved adult women.

	According to "The Book of Order," sexual abuse is defined as "any offense
involving sexual conduct in relation to any person when the conduct includes
force, threats, coercion, intimidation or misuse of office or position."

	As a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary -- an West coast archrival of
SFTS -- McCullough's election as president six years ago was met with
considerable skepticism in some quarters of the seminary community,
particularly among its alumni.

	But McCullough quickly earned praise as a passionate, articulate advocate
for SFTS, and presided over the first successful capital campaign in the
seminary's history.  An $11.5 million campaign to repair the
earthquake-ravaged historic buildings on the hilltop of the seminary campus
was quickly oversubscribed and the landmark stone buildings -- Scott and
Montgomery halls -- were reoccupied this spring after 12 years out of
commission.

	A search committee has already been formed to find McCullough's successor.

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