Andrew Wakefield, on the
faculty of Campbell University Divinity School since 1997, has been named its
new dean effective July 1, succeeding Michael Cogdill, who is returning to the
classroom.
Wakefield currently holds
the Lewis Edward and Martha Barnes Tyner Chair of Bible at the Divinity School.
Campbell University President Jerry Wallace announced Wakefield’s appointment.
Wallace said Wakefield,
“brings a sterling academic record, a deep commitment to ministry, and years of
demonstrated excellence within the school itself. Andy is an
extraordinarily talented individual whose range of skills will, no doubt,
propel the school upward from the significant achievements of its first 14
years.”
Wakefield is a 1983 graduate
of Wake Forest University. He earned a master of divinity from Southern Baptist
Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in New Testament from Duke University in
2000.
His dissertation, “Where to
Live: The Hermeneutical Significance of Paul’s Citations of Scripture in
Galatians 3:10-14,” was published by Brill Academic Publishers and the Society
of Biblical Literature.
“I am deeply humbled to have
been selected as dean,” Wakefield said. “Under Dr. Cogdill’s leadership, this
school has achieved the highest levels of excellence; I look forward to
maintaining the proven values that have led to its success. At the same
time, I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as we respond to the
rapidly changing landscape of the church and of theological education. My
desire is that we will always continue growing and stretching, so that Campbell
University Divinity School students will always be at the forefront of leading
the church to meet the challenges of a post-modern world.”
Wakefield was born in
Chattanooga, Tenn., but spent his childhood in Southeast Asia as the son of
missionary parents. Most recently he has been serving as coordinator for
Baptist Fellowship of Angier, a mission church focused on ministry with
children and families from economically depressed areas.
Wakefield and his wife,
Olivia, live in Lillington with their two daughters, Natalie and Allison, and
are members of Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek.