The Very Rev. Titus Presler, dean and president of the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (ETSS) since 2002, has resigned in order to take a position at the General Theological Seminary.

Dean Presler will become sub-dean and vice president for academic affairs at the New York City seminary in August. He also will be professor of mission and world Christianity.

“Titus Presler is an important scholar for our Church,” said Dean Ward Ewing of General. “He brings strong teaching abilities, excellent congregational experience, and three years of administration in a theological seminary. I am extremely excited by this opportunity.”

Dean Presler said he leaves Seminary of the Southwest with regret. “I love this seminary, the people who minister here, and the students for whom we exist,” he said. We have moved forward in significant ways over the past three years, and I will miss being a part of this seminary’s future.”

A graduate of General and a former visiting professor there, Dean Presler will oversee the programs of the new Desmond Tutu Education Center [TLC, June 26] and will have charge of the academic program. He also has taught at Episcopal Divinity School and at Gaul Theological College in Harare, Zimbabwe. His wife, the Rev. Jane Butterfield, is mission personnel officer for the Episcopal Church. They are the parents of four children.

Dean Presler is the author of two books and numerous articles on mission and world Christianity. He has been chair of the national Standing Commission on World Mission.

The Rt. Rev. Don Wimberly, Bishop of Texas and chair of the ETSS Board of Trustees, said the board plans to have an interim dean in place by Sept. 1, and a search process will be initiated to find a new dean.

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