Edwards Changes Roles at Seminary
Episcopal News Service. November 11, 1982 [82236]
EVANSTON, Ill. (DPS, Nov. 11) -- The Board of Trustees of Seabury-Western Theological Seminary acted at the fall convocation Oct. 14, to appoint the Very Rev. O.C. Edwards, Jr. as professor of Homiletics with tenure effective June 1, 1983. The board voted unanimously to accept Edwards' proposal that he move from serving the Episcopal Seminary as president and dean, which position he has held since Dec. 1974, to that of professor of homiletics.
In announcing his proposal for this move, Edwards urged the board to initiate a search immediately "for a new president with the gifts in management and fund raising that will be essential in the years ahead." As part of his closing remarks to the board, Edwards said, "I would like to go back to the work I know and love. I would like to pick up my life again as a teacher, a scholar and a writer. And I am very pleased that there seems to be a way to do that in this community."
At a special gathering of the Seabury-Western community, the Chairman and Co-Chairman of the board, the Rt. Rev. Robert M. Anderson of Minnesota, and the Rt. Rev. James W. Montgomery of Chicago, announced Edwards' resignation, recognized his contributions to growth and stability at Seabury-Western, and welcomed his continued presence and work in the community. Edwards, after a short personal statement, was recognized by a standing ovation.
Before coming to Seabury-Western, Edwards spent 10 years on the faculty of Nashotah House in New Testament exegesis and served also as sub-dean and acting dean. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Nashotah in 1976. Edwards earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and also holds a B.A. from Centenary College of Louisiana, an S.T.B. from The General Seminary, and an S.T.M. from Southern Methodist University.
A widely published and recognized author in religious publications, Edward's most recent work, released in October 1982, is Elements of Homiletic, Pueblo Publishing Co., a companion volume to Aidan Kavanaugh's Elements of Rite. His other work includes additional books published in homiletics, in the early church, and in bible. He has published numerous articles in those fields as well as in theological education and evangelism.
Edwards serves on the Council of (Episcopal Seminary) Deans, Inc., the Genera] Board of Examining Chaplains, the Board for Theological Education, the Board of Trustees for Kendall College, and the Board of Directors of the Ecumenical Center for Stewardship Studies. He has also served on the Council for the Development of Ministry and the Panel of Consultants, Institute for Advanced Study of Religion, the University of Chicago. Edwards held cures in Baton Rouge, Abbeville, and Morgan City, La., in Waxahachie, Tex., and Chicago.