wfn.org | Newsline: Bethany Seminary names new academic dean

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Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

BETHANY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NAMES NEW ACADEMIC DEAN

(March 20, 2009) Elgin, IL -- Steven Schweitzer will become associate profe ssor and academic dean at Bethany Theological Seminary in Richmond, Ind., b eginning July 1. He has been serving as assistant professor of Old Testamen t at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind.

Bethany Seminary is the Church of the Brethren's graduate school of theolog y.

Schweitzer is a member of Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren in South B end, Ind. He holds a bachelor's degree in Christian studies summa cum laude  from North Central University in Minneapolis, Minn.; a master of arts in t heology degree with a concentration in Hebrew Bible and a minor in Patristi cs from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.; and a doctoral deg ree in theology from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

He previously taught at North Central University and the University of Notr e Dame before joining the AMBS faculty in 2006.

Although a young scholar, Schweitzer has an impressive publishing record. I n 2007, T & T  Clark International published his book, "Reading Utopia in C hronicles," and "Utopian Visions in the Ancient and Biblical Worlds" is und er contract with Fortress Press. He also has published numerous journal art icles, invited essays, and book reviews.

"Steve brings a love for teaching, outstanding teaching evaluations, and hi ghly developed organizational skills to this position," said Bethany Semina ry President Ruthann Knechel Johansen. "I am pleased that he has accepted t his call. We look forward to welcoming him and his leadership to Bethany."

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts more than 125,000 members across the  United States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nig eria, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org