News Release
October 2000

Schattschneider to resign as vice president and
dean of the Seminary

(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) – Dr. David A. Schattschneider recently announced his resignation after serving more than twelve years as vice president and dean of Moravian Theological Seminary. Schattschneider will continue as dean until June of next year after which he will pursue several projects related to the history of the modern Moravian Church, utilizing the Seminary’s library and electronic resources. The Seminary’s Board of Trustees has begun the search process for a replacement.

As vice president and dean, Schattschneider nurtured the professional development of the faculty, reshaped the administrative structure of the Seminary, and encouraged the incorporation of technology into the Seminary's program. "Over a period of 12 years, David has provided vision and effective leadership for an institution that has now emerged at the forefront of ecumenical education in the United States," said Dr. Ervin J. Rokke, president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. "David’s scholarship as a church historian has been equally impressive and we look forward to his continued contributions in that area. He is a gentleman and a team player whose association I have valued enormously." Rokke added.

Throughout his life, the Moravian Church has been central to Schattschneider. He is the son of the late Rt. Rev. and Mrs. Allen Schattschneider. Thus his early years were spent in Moravian parsonages, in the context of service to the Moravian Church. He received a B.A. from

Moravian College, a M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. In 1968 he became instructor in historical theology and world Christianity at Moravian Theological Seminary. In 1971 he became assistant professor, in 1978 associate professor, and in 1986 professor and holder of the S. Morgan Smith and Emma Fahs Smith Chair of Historical Theology. From January to April, 1988, he was acting dean of Moravian Seminary. Schattschneider has served as vice president and dean in April of 1988.

Schattschneider is author of numerous articles drawn from his doctoral dissertation: "Souls for the Lamb: A Theology for the Christian Mission According to Count Nicholaus Ludwig van Zinzendorf and Bishop Augustus Gottlieb Spangenberg." He is an active member of several professional societies and has served the Moravian Church on numerous boards and agencies. Dean Schattschneider was elected an American delegate from the Northern Province to the Unity (international) Synod of the Moravian Church held in Antigua in 1988.

Schattschneider is married to Doris Jean Wood, Ph.D., professor of mathematics at Moravian College, and they have a daughter, Laura Ellen.

Moravian Theological Seminary is graduate-professional school of theology affiliated with the Moravian Church of America. The Seminary is also affiliated with Moravian College, a private liberal arts college. The Seminary awards three degrees: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, and Master of Arts in Theological Studies. The institution also awards certificates in theological studies. Visit the web site at http://www.moravianseminary.edu.