Dean Jan Love recently announced several moves among the Candler School of Theology faculty, including appointments to the positions of Bandy Professor of Preaching and Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs.

Fry Brown With Thomas G. Long set to retire from the Bandy Chair at the end of the 2014-15 academic year, Professor of Homiletics Teresa L. Fry Brown has been tapped as the next Bandy Professor of Preaching, effective September 1. The Bandy Chair in Preaching was created in 1986 with a gift from B. Jackson Bandy, and is considered by many to be the premier chair in homiletics in the country. Selected from a national pool of candidates, Fry Brown will be Candler’s fourth Bandy Professor, following Long, the late Robert Kysar and the late Fred B. Craddock.

“Teresa has served Candler wonderfully well since 1994, is a powerful and effective preacher, and holds renowned leadership positions in both church and academy. I welcome the opportunity to have her continue serving our community by holding this prized position in the field of homiletics,” Love said.

McFarland Bishop Mack B. and Rose Y. Stokes Professor of Theology Ian A. McFarland, who currently serves as associate dean of faculty and academic affairs, will leave Candler this summer for Cambridge University, where he has been named Regius Professor of Divinity. England’s King Henry VIII created the prestigious Regius Professorships, one at Cambridge and another at Oxford University, in 1535.

“This is among the highest honors, if not the very highest, that the academy can bestow on Ian, and he is richly deserving,” said Love. “At Candler, Ian has been a remarkable scholar, teacher, administrator and citizen. No one is more grateful than I am for all he has done.” 

Following McFarland’s departure, Associate Professor of Church History Jonathan Strom will serve as associate dean of faculty and academic affairs.

Love announced the promotion of Rex D. Matthews to professor in the practice of historical theology and Wesleyan studies. "This is a well-deserved recognition of all the contributions Rex makes in teaching, research and service at Candler," Love said. She also applauded Gregory C. Ellison, II on his promotion to associate professor of pastoral care and counseling, with tenure. "This is a wonderful and well-deserved accomplishment that brings strength to the Candler community," she said. Love shared the news of Steffen Lösel's appointment to a tenure-track position as associate professor of systematic theology, praising him as “a productive and well-regarded scholar.” Finally, she announced the promotion of Elizabeth Corrie to associate professor in the practice of youth education and peacebuilding. "Beth's contributions to teaching, service, and scholarship at Candler have been noteworthy and crucial to the success of the Youth Theological Initiative, the Religious Education program, and the concentration in Justice, Peacebuilding, and Conflict Transformation," Love said.

Love also made the announcement that Andrea C. White, assistant professor of theology and culture, has accepted a position as associate professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York.