News Release
May 2001

Moravian Theological Seminary names vice president and dean

(Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) -- The Reverend Dr. Frank Crouch has been named vice president and dean of the Moravian Theological Seminary, replacing Dr. David Schattschneider, who will retire in June after 13 years as dean. Crouch , an assistant professor of the New Testament at the Seminary since 1996, was selected after a six-month nationwide search. Last week, the Board of Trustees of Moravian Theological Seminary endorsed the appointment

"Frank brings outstanding credentials and demonstrated leadership to his new role as dean of the Seminary," said Dr. Ervin J. Rokke, president of Moravian College and Moravian Theological Seminary. "He has been a leading force for change and progress at the Seminary. In addition to his exceptional work in the classroom, he has served as faculty representative on the Seminary’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee, where he has actively participated in efforts to implement the Seminary’s recently developed strategic goals and initiatives," Rokke said.

Crouch was the primary author of a successful grant request to the Lilly Endowment for $1.2 million in 1998, which resulted in the construction of an addition to the Bahnson Center and a state-of-the-art distance learning center in the Seminary. As chair of an Educational Technology Committee, he also has overseen the implementation of that same Lilly Grant. Under his leadership, the committee has directed such initiatives as the design and delivery of videoconference courses in both Bethlehem and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Crouch earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of North Carolina in 1977. He graduated from Moravian Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 1980, and he received his doctorate in New Testament Studies from Duke University in 1996. Since 1996, he has served as an assistant professor of New Testament at the Seminary, where he has designed and taught courses in all areas of New Testament Studies.

An ordained Moravian pastor since 1980, Dr. Crouch has served as associate pastor of Fairview Moravian Church and as pastor of Providence Moravian Church, both in Winston-Salem.

Moravian Theological Seminary is a 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.