Press Releases
News Release: For Immediate ReleaseDr. Jeffrey Silliman Appointed As President Of Salt Lake Theological SeminaryFormer Chairman of the Board of Trustees accepts call; will assume new position August 1, 2007SALT LAKE CITY, June 20, 2007 - The Board of Trustees of Salt Lake Theological Seminary today announced the call of Dr. Jeffrey Silliman as the school’s next president, effective August 1, 2007. “The board is delighted to have such a highly qualified person take the position of president of the seminary at this time,” said Vice-Chairman Dr. James Munter. “Jeff knows and is known by many in the community and has excellent relations with numerous churches along the Wasatch Front. As Chairman of the Board for the past six years, he has developed the trust of the seminary’s leadership and key supporters. Jeff understands the needs of the seminary at this time in its history and has a strong vision for the future as we prepare spiritual leaders for ministry in Utah and the Intermountain West. He has the unanimous support of the board as he moves into this new role.” A graduate of the University of Utah and Fuller Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Dr. Silliman is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Dr. Silliman was pastor of Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City for 26 years before taking the position of Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of Riverside in southern California in 2002. During his tenure, the presbytery slowed the rate of its 40 year decline in active membership in its congregations by 33% and began aggressively working to plant a new congregation in a fast-growing area of Riverside County. After a six year tenure as board chairman, Dr. Silliman is well acquainted with the challenges and the opportunities Salt Lake Theological Seminary faces at this time. “I am eagerly looking forward to beginning work as president of the seminary at this crucial time in the school’s history, “Dr. Silliman said. “Excellent gift income during the month of May coupled with the virtual elimination of long and short term debt through the recent sale of our building have opened the door to a wonderful new chapter in the life of the school. The seminary has a very fine faculty and staff and has been blessed with many capable and committed students over the years. We are looking forward to expanding our student body to include more such people.” This is not only a crucial time in the life of Salt Lake Theological Seminary, it is also a challenging time for graduate theological education across North America. Dr. Silliman recognizes this challenge. “The seminary is currently exploring new and expanded ways it can support the ongoing ministries of congregations through creative educational partnerships. I am excited to join these efforts,” Silliman said. “Many of the faculty have known Jeff for over 30 years in his roles as pastor, friend of the seminary, and more recently Chairman of Board,” said Academic Dean Tom McClenahan. “We appreciate Jeff’s commitment to building and strengthening the whole body of Christ in Utah. The faculty is excited to work with a leader who knows first-hand the culture and the dynamics of doing ministry in this part of the world.” Through Vice-Chair Dr. Jim Minter, the board expressed its heartfelt thanks to Dr. Bill Heersink for his leadership of the seminary as interim during the past seven months. “Bill has promoted healing within the seminary community, as well as helping us aggressively move forward with the financial and organizational restructuring of the school, “ Munter said. “He has prepared us for this time of being able to name a new president. We have all been truly blessed by his interim leadership.” The seminary is the only graduate school of theology in the Intermountain West. The school is widely recognized as an asset to Salt Lake City and the local area, having received statements of support from prominent religious and civic leaders of diverse backgrounds. Seminary graduates are now serving in church leadership positions as well as hospital and police chaplaincy positions and other ministry and leadership roles in various communities along the Wasatch Front and beyond. About Salt Lake Theological SeminarySalt Lake Theological Seminary is the only graduate school of theology in the Intermountain West. Multi-denominational by nature, the seminary trains men and women from many different church backgrounds for leadership roles in the Christian communities of the Intermountain West. Students typically go on to become pastors, chaplains, missionaries, and Christian educators. More information can be found at www.slts.edu. ### For more information contact:
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