Title: Wheeler named fifth president of CTS
Date: May 22, 1997
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
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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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