Belmont University has chosen Dr. Darrell Gwaltney, Dean of the MacArthur School of Continuing Education at Palm Beach Atlantic University, as the next dean of Belmont’s School of Religion.
Gwaltney, also an associate professor of religion and literature at the Florida university, will replace Dr. Steven H. Simpler, who is stepping down as dean at the close of the 2003-2004 academic year. Simpler, who has served as the Dean of the School of Religion since 1990, will continue to teach full time in the School of Religion.
“Darrell brings to this position the strong academic and administrative credentials to provide visionary academic leadership for the program,” says Belmont University Provost Dan McAlexander. “He will bring, as well, a genuine enthusiasm for representing the university and the School of Religion to our external stake holders.”
Gwaltney has a bachelor of arts degree from Missouri Baptist College, a master of divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a master of arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and a Ph.D from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
“I am delighted to join the Belmont community and I look forward to giving leadership to the School of Religion,” Gwaltney says. “I’m excited about being a part of what God is doing at Belmont.”
In additional to his academic career, Gwaltney has served in a variety of ministry roles since 1980, mostly as pastor. From 1998 through 2002, he was the senior pastor of Northwood Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Fla. He also was interim dean of PBAU’s School of Ministry for one year.
Gwaltney will begin his duties at Belmont on June 1, 2004.
