Release date: April 18, 2008

Methodist Studies Associate Dean Named at Candler School of Theology

Elaine Justice: 404-727-0643, elaine.justice@emory.edu
Kelly McLendon: 404-727-4481, kelly.mclendon@emory.edu

The Reverend Dr. Anne Burkholder is joining the faculty of Emory University's Candler School of Theology as associate dean of Methodist studies as part of the school's continued effort to educate faithful leaders for the church in a new millennium.

"Dr. Burkholder is a proven leader among United Methodists who understands the challenges of ministry in the 21st century in local churches, annual conferences and across the whole connection. She has a passion for theological education and leadership formation, which she tackles creatively and faithfully," said Jan Love, dean of Candler School of Theology. "We are delighted to welcome home someone so gifted in both the church and the academy. Candler students, faculty and staff alike will benefit enormously from her contributions to our community."

Burkholder, an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, has served most recently as the director of Connectional Ministries and District Superintendent in the Florida Conference. She has extensive experience in redevelopment of congregations in Florida and North Carolina. She has served as executive director of Miami Urban Ministries where she oversaw the development of faith-based social service ministries, including the Head Start program for Haitian children.

She holds a PhD in ethics and society from Emory, and has teaching experience ranging from Duke Divinity School to The United Methodist Women's Schools of Christian Mission.

"I am both honored and humbled to be coming to Candler as the first associate dean of Methodist studies," said Burkholder. "I believe that the creation of the position embodies Candler's historic commitment to the formation of persons for the ministry in the Wesleyan tradition in a new way, appropriate for the time in which we now live."

The associate dean of Methodist studies at Candler School of Theology is a new position, designed to coordinate curricular and non-curricular programming for students seeking ordination into The United Methodist Church and all other Wesleyan denominations. The associate dean will also oversee The United Methodist Course of Study and will manage the relationships between Candler and the conferences of The United Methodist Church.

"We want to embrace Candler's commitment to the education of creative and faithful leaders for The United Methodist Church and others in the Wesleyan family in a new way by combining issues related to the curriculum with direct services to students," said Jan Love, dean of Candler School of Theology. "We also want to ensure that we build and maintain intimate relations with boards of ordained ministry, ministerial services staff and other ecclesial leaders across the annual conferences. This position of associate dean for Methodist studies should help us as a school focus on these priorities."

Emory University (www.emory.edu) is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

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