Tolley to Join Meadville Lombard Affiliate Faculty

January 18, 2011

The Rev. Dr. John Tolley, associate professor of ministry and the arts at Meadville Lombard Theological School, will leave that position on June 1 to join the school's affiliated faculty effective the next day, June 2.

The change was announced by Meadville Lombard's president, Rev. Dr. Lee Barker, DMin '78, DD '01. President Barker said the change in Dr. Tolley's status allows the school to fully implement the Meadville Lombard Educational Model while also preparing to join the new theological university being established by Meadville Lombard and Andover Newton Theological School.

The affiliated faculty appointment is for three years. Dr. Tolley will continue to be a full member of the teaching and planning team for the Congregational Studies Signature Course, an important component of the school's new curriculum for students in the Master of Divinity program. In addition, he will be available to teach other courses as needed. His continued association with Meadville Lombard also offers continuity for students in educational models that are phasing out over time.

President Barker said the school and its students are fortunate to be able to work out a way to continue to have Dr. Tolley on the school faculty.

"Knowing that the school was on the threshold of major changes, John approached me last fall with an offer to alter his teaching responsibilities while maintaining his work with our students and his Signature Course colleagues, Professors Mark Hicks, Qiyamah Rahman and Leslie Takahashi Morris. In making this appointment, we have been able to respond to the institution's evolving needs and meet John's desire to continue teaching," President Barker said.

"John's desire is also our desire," President Barker continued. "He has brought extraordinary dedication, creativity and expertise to all his teaching, Now we can be certain that his dedication, creativity and expertise will continue to shape all of our learning and teaching."

Meadville Lombard is a Unitarian Universalist seminary based in Chicago.