Seilhamer named new associate dean of graduate school

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HUNTINGTON, IN— This fall the Huntington College Graduate School of Christian Ministries will add a new, yet familiar face to their leadership team.  Dr. Ray Seilhamer, former Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ will join the Graduate School as Associate Dean and Director of the Pastoral Ministries program. 

Dr. Seilhamer is no stranger to Huntington College; he received both his Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1960 and his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1963 from the college.  Since his student days, he also served on the Huntington College Board of Trustees from 1993 to 2001.In addition to his degrees earned from Huntington College, Seilhamer holds a Masters in Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. 

Dr. Seilhamer has been active in pastoral ministry since 1961 when he began as pastor of his first church, Hopewell United Brethren church in Auburn, Indiana.  Since then he has led churches in Pennsylvania and Indiana including 13 years as senior pastor at College Park United Brethren Church in Huntington, Indiana and founding pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.   During his career, Dr. Seilhamer also served as President of Evangelical School of Theology, a seminary operated by the Evangelical Congregational Church.  In 1993, Seilhamer was elected Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and was reelected to that position in 1997 where he has served until now.  As the highest elected leader in the denomination, he has been responsible for overseeing the various conferences, denominational ministries, and setting the direction and vision of the church.

Dr. Gary Newton, Director of the Educational Ministry program at the graduate school, looks forward to what Dr. Seilhamer will bring to this position; “I have been in regular dialogue with the Bishop about strategies to develop the Pastoral Ministry Program at the Graduate School. I consider his decision to join the Graduate School as Associate Dean and Director of the Pastoral Ministry Program as a definite answer to our prayers and dreams over the last few years.”  Along with his responsibilities as Associate Dean, Seilhamer will be teaching two to three classes per year in the pastoral ministry program and will continue to speak and teach in churches throughout the year.

The Graduate School of Christian Ministries at Huntington College offers Master of Arts Degrees in Pastoral Ministry, Educational Ministry, and Youth Ministry.  Huntington’s graduate programs are designed for those who want to continue their education without leaving their present ministry or work positions.  Each of the three 42-hour M.A. programs is designed to prepare men and women to serve as leaders in the disciple-making priority of the church.

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