RICHMOND — Israel Galindo, dean and professor of Christian formation and leadership at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, has been named associate dean for lifelong learning at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga., effective Aug. 1.
Galindo, who joined the BTSR faculty in 1999, has been dean since 2008. During his tenure he helped create the seminary’s Christian formation concentrations and designed and implemented BTSR’s online program. The seminary was an early adapter of emerging educational technology in theological schools and has been offering online courses since 2000.
Prior to joining the BTSR faculty, Galindo was pastoral associate for Christian education at Vienna (Va.) Baptist Church. He also has been a hospice chaplain and a school principal,
“Dr. Galindo has been an effective teacher and gifted administrator,” said BTSR president Ron Crawford. “He will be sorely missed. He is embracing a wonderful opportunity at Columbia and we wish him the very best. Our loss is most certainly their gain.”
Galindo noted, “I am grateful for the opportunity to have served as dean at BTSR these past five years. It has been a privilege. I will miss being part of the seminary’s continued growth and progress. There are many exciting things happening: a move to a great new location, new curricular programs and a rekindled spirit of optimism.”
Last November, BTSR trustees elected Tim Gilbert as the seminary’s new dean, effective July 1. For nearly 30 years, Gilbert has been a professor of philosophy at Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, Texas, where he also has served as divisional dean and associate vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Robert Dilday ([email protected]) is managing editor of the Religious Herald.