VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS, 12/18/06)-American Baptist Seminary of the West (ABSW) President Emeritus Theodore A . Keaton died Dec. 6, 2006, in Walnut Creek, Calif. He was 77.
Keaton came to the seminary in 1987 as vice president for development and interim president. Appointed president in early 1990, he led the school for ten years through difficult times to a period of fiscal stability and academic excellence.
During his tenure, Keaton eliminated the seminary's debt, balanced the budget, doubled student enrollment, and guided ABSW to a 10-year renewal of full accreditation. He was also responsible for conducting the 21st Century Fund Campaign, which raised more than $3 million for the annual fund, endowment, and restoration of Hobart Hall.
ABSW President Keith Russell stated, "Ted Keaton's servant leadership grounded the seminary in mission, and his organizational gifts prepared the school for growth in this new century."
Born in Indiana, Keaton was a member of First Baptist Church of Terra Haute, where he was ordained in 1954. He was a graduate of Indiana State Teacher's College and earned his seminary degree at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY. From there, he went on to pastor churches in Akron, NY and Franklin, IN. Keaton served at both McCormick Theological School in Chicago and Colgate Rochester Divinity School before transitioning to ABSW. He was also involved in denominational support for ABCUSA over the years.
The Theodore A. Keaton Lectureship was established at ABSW in 2001 to honor his contributions. This annual lecture focuses on the theme of encouraging and developing effective pastoral leadership. The upcoming lecture will be held Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at ABSW.
A memorial service will be held on January 6, 2007 at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, Oakland, California at 2 pm. Gifts to the Theodore Keaton Memorial Scholarship Fund can be sent to ABSW, 2606 Dwight Way, Berkeley, CA.
Andrew C. Jayne American Baptist Churches, USA Mission Resource Development http://www.abc-usa.org/