The Very Rev. Philip W. Turner III has been appointed interim dean for the 2005-2006 academic year at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (ETSS) in Austin, Texas, effective Aug. 1. He brings a wealth of academic theological experience, having served as dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University, another of the 11 seminaries of the Episcopal Church, from 1991 to 1998. He also has held faculty positions at the General Theological Seminary as well as ETSS.

Dean Turner began his ordained ministry as a missionary in Uganda, where he served from 1961 to 1971. He has also served the worldwide Anglican Communion as an appointee of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the Primate’s Committee on Theological Education. His wife, Elizabeth, is also a priest, and serves on the staff of St. Mark’s Church, Austin.

“We are excited to have a person with Dr. Turner’s credentials and experience to provide continuity and leadership during this interim period and to assure that the many initiatives currently underway continue,” said the Rt. Rev. Don A. Wimberly, Bishop of Texas and chair of the ETSS Board of Trustees. “These initiatives include the goals and objectives supporting our new vision statement.”

Bishop Wimberly said a search committee will be announced shortly and that the board anticipates receiving a recommendation from the search committee and the calling of a new dean and president by the end of the upcoming academic year.

The vacancy was created by the resignation of the Very Rev. Titus Presler, who will be sub-dean and vice president for academic affairs at General Seminary.

To find more news, feature articles, and commentary not available online, we invite you to subscribe to The Living Church magazine. To learn more, click here.