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
|