wfn.org | Wheeler named fifth president of CTS

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

Date: May 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the web: http//www.disciples.org

97b-33

    INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Christian Theological
Seminary has called the Rev. Edward L. Wheeler,
Tuskegee, Ala., as its fifth president. The
unanimous decision by the CTS board of trustees
was announced May 12.

    Wheeler, currently dean of chapel and
professor of religion at Tuskegee University, will
succeed the Rev. Richard D.N. Dickinson. Dickinson
retires from the post June 30. The new president-elect and his spouse, Mary Susan, anticipate
moving to Indianapolis during the summer.  

    Highly regarded as a community leader and
educator, he served from 1985-1991 as pastor of 
Zion Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he
was honored by the city for "Outstanding Service
and Leadership." During his tenure at Zion,
Wheeler also was a professor of church history at
United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. 

    "We look forward to Dr. Wheeler's dynamic
leadership as the seminary meets the challenges of
the 21st Century," said Bruce Polizotto,
chairperson of the CTS board of trustees.

    An ordained Baptist minister, Wheeler has
served as dean at Morehouse School of Religion,
and was associate director of black church
relations for the Southern Baptist Convention Home
Mission Board, both in Atlanta. He also has held
faculty positions with the Interdenominational
Theological Center, Atlanta; Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky.; and Midwest
Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo.

    The Georgia native earned a bachelor of arts
degree from Morehouse College, a master of
divinity degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity
School, Rochester, N.Y., and a doctor of
philosophy from Emory University, Atlanta.

    Speaking of his decision to lead the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)-related
institution, Wheeler cited the opportunity to
serve a denomination that has "demonstrated
Christian integrity and ecumenical spirit in a way
other denominations envy. I am extremely honored
and privileged to serve this institution," he
said.

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