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October 2024

A tribute to Barbara Wheeler

Oct. 10, 1945 – Oct. 24, 2024

Barbara Wheeler served for 30 years as the president of Auburn Seminary, which later launched the Auburn Center for the Study of Theological Education—a research organization that partnered closely with ATS. Through her research and the work of her colleagues, Auburn published many important studies on theological schools, the realities within the schools, and on what makes for effective leadership in seminaries at the board, administrative, and faculty levels.


Barbara was the 13th recipient of the ATS Distinguished Service Award in 2012. Through her leadership and the leadership of Daniel Aleshire, former ATS executive director, theological schools and leaders in theological education were provided resources that were backed with excellent research. She is one of the great influencers in theological education, and few have played as an important a role as Barbara Wheeler in the past three to four decades. In recent years, she has been one of the primary consultants on theological education for the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment Inc., including the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative.


Barbara was a friend. She had an incredible work ethic and a strong wit. She was wise and about as straight-forward a human being that I have known. She had an opinion on every important topic in theological education, and much of the time she was right. She was a dedicated church leader who served on several boards and task forces to tackle contemporary issues facing the church and theological education.


May Barbara rest in peace and may the Holy Spirit sustain her family and friends as we give witness to the hope in the resurrection and give thanks for this servant’s faithful life.


—Frank Yamada, ATS Executive Director

Early member school enrollment data for fall 2024 shows promising trends

As of October 25, 2024, 260 ATS schools have reported enrollment data, representing more than 90 percent of the membership. This article analyzes the 254 schools that reported enrollment in both fall 2023 and fall 2024. Read more. Listen here.

ATS announces director of administration and CFO hire, search for director of strategic communications

ATS is pleased to announce a staff hire and the start of a new staff search. These ongoing staff moves strengthen ATS and better position it to fulfill the strategic priorities set by the ATS Board of Directors. Read more. Listen here.

ATS Guidelines on Competency-Based

Theological Education undergo revision

As more ATS schools explore and implement Competency- Based Theological Education in an increasing variety of contexts, the ATS Board of Commissioners recognized that it was time to review and revise the Guidelines on Competency-Based Theological Education, first approved by the Board in 2020 and modestly updated in 2023. Read more. Listen here.

ATS Research continues to grow

A conversation with Deborah H. C. Gin

Members of ATS enjoy several benefits as part of the Association, with one of the most popular being access to unique theological education research and specific institutional research not offered anywhere else. Read more. Listen here.

Inside the Standards

of Accreditation

Mission and integrity: reviewing ATS Standard 1

Well before the topics of mission and integrity are introduced as the focus of the first of the ten ATS Standards of Accreditation, they are established in the Preamble as foundational to the life of an accredited theological school. Read more. Listen here.

ATS Member School Spotlight

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

of Andrews University

The mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary is to help our Church fulfill Christ’s commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) by being the preeminent theological resource for the global Church and by preparing individuals to actively participate in the fulfillment of Christ’s commission. Read more. Listen here.

Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute offers free formation program

Boston University’s Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute have opened enrollment for a free 8-week online professional formation program, CHRYSALIS. CHRYSALIS is designed specifically to address helping professionals' sense of burnout and vicarious trauma. Financial compensation (up to $60) is available for completion of self-assessment measures and program feedback surveys. Complete the brief interest form.

Apply for a Science Engagement for Congregational Flourishing Grant

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) invites ATS member schools to apply for a Science Engagement for Congregational Flourishing initiative grant. DoSER will provide grants of $10,000 to $25,000 to continuing education or lifelong learning providers for projects that develop programming with a major focus on Christian engagement with topics in forefront science and technology. The application deadline is November 10, 2024. Learn more.

Lake Institute offers Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship 

The Lake Institute on Faith & Giving is offering PhD students the opportunity to apply for the 2025-2026 Lake Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship, worth $30,000. The Lake Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship supports the last year of dissertation research that engages issues within religion and philanthropy or faith and giving. Students representing all fields of study are encouraged to apply. Applications are now being accepted until January 17, 2025. Learn more.

UPCOMING

EVENTS

From Theory to Practice: Implementing Collaborative Approaches in Theological Education

Nov. 7

Zoom



Revised Guidelines on Competency-Based Theological Education Webinar

Nov. 8

Zoom



2024-25 Entering Student Questionnaire Webinar

Nov. 13

Zoom



ATS Chief Financial Officers Webinar Series Part Two

Nov. 19

Zoom



CORE Conference on Trauma and Spirituality

Nov. 19–21

Pasadena, CA



ATS Executive Leadership Intensive

Dec. 912

Phoenix, AZ



ATS School for New Deans

Dec. 1617

Pittsburgh, PA


~ 2025 ~


ATS Development and Institutional Advancement Program Conference

Feb. 1820

Newport Beach, CA

Share your news with us to be featured as the next ATS Member School Spotlight! Send information to communications@ats.edu.
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The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is a membership organization of graduate theological schools. ATS Programs and Services offers educational events and resources to assist member schools with best practices, development of peer networks, production of research, and exploration of data. The Commission on Accrediting of ATS accredits the schools and approves the degree programs.