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Fall 2009 | Volume 68, No. 1
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Southwestern Announces New VP and Dean Of Education School
by Keith Collier
The executive committee of Southwestern’s board of trustees announced the election of two administrative positions, June 10. In a special, called meeting, the committee voted to approve Kevin Ensley as vice president for business administration and Waylan Owens as dean of the School of Educational Ministries, effective August 1, 2009.
VICE PRESIDENT FOR BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Ensley previously served as chief financial officer and vice president of business at the Criswell College in Dallas. As CFO, he oversaw the financial affairs of the institution, such as accounting, human resources, accounts payable, and accounts receivable. He led the institution amid national economic instability by reorganizing operations and positioning the college to maintain staffing and benefit levels.
As vice president of business, Ensley’s responsibilities included information technology, facilities and maintenance, food service, risk management, and security. Under his leadership, the college experienced ongoing technological advancements, including a new Web site, upgraded computers and classroom equipment, and launching a database management program for improved service to students.
Prior to his service at Criswell College, Ensley was the senior financial analyst for Electronic Data Systems, Inc., in Plano, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at Texas A&M University-Commerce and an M.B.A. at Southern Methodist University.
Southwestern president Paige Patterson praised Ensley’s track record, saying, “Kevin Ensley has proven himself a valuable and indefatigable servant to the Criswell College for the last four years.
“With the invaluable experience he has already had in both the corporate world and Christian higher education, he will be able to move us ahead in these troubled financial times.”
DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATIONAL MINISTRIES
Waylan Owens has served as associate professor of pastoral ministry at Southwestern since 2008. Prior to this, he served in various capacities at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., including vice president for planning and communication (2000-06) and associate professor of pastoral ministry (1998-2006). Owens was special assistant to the president (1998-2000) under Paige Patterson, when Patterson was president of Southeastern Seminary and serving as president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Additionally, Owens has served in pastorates in North Carolina, Alaska, and Mississippi.
Owens earned his Ph.D. and M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. His Ph.D. was in Old Testament and Hebrew, with a minor in education. Owens’ experience in the field of education also extends into public school classrooms, where he taught for several years. He earned a bachelor’s in education from the University of West Florida.
Southwestern president Paige Patterson expressed confidence in Owens’ new assignment as dean of the School of Educational Ministries. Patterson noted that Owens helped him at Southeastern Seminary in many capacities, including the annual accreditation review process.
“Consequently,” Patterson said, “he comes to his position with a thorough knowledge of accreditation, a full understanding of church life in America today, and a grasp of the new directions that must be taken in the area of Christian education in the days that lie ahead.”
In an announcement to seminary faculty, staff, and students, Patterson thanked Greg Kingry and Wes Black for their service to the institution. Kingry served as vice president for business administration at Southwestern since 2004 and has been named president of the The Headrick Companies in Laurel, Miss.
Black served as acting dean of the School of Educational Ministries prior to Owens’ appointment and will continue in his role as associate dean for the research doctoral program and professor of student ministry.
“We will be forever indebted to the sacrificial labors of both of these men,” Patterson said.
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