Professor W. Dow Edgerton bestowed ‘Emeritus’ status by Board of Trustees

CHICAGO- 
May
 10,
 2018 – Rev.
 Dr.
 W.
 Dow
 Edgerton, an ordained minister, scholar, author, and former academic dean has concluded his phased retirement agreement with Chicago Theological Seminary and has been named Professor of Ministry Emeritus by the Board of Trustees.

“In his thirty-five years of service to Chicago Theological Seminary, Dow Edgerton has worked tirelessly to further our mission and commitments,” Dr. Ken Stone, academic dean and vice president of academic affairs said. “He has done so as teacher, scholar, and administrator, but also as pastor and friend to faculty, staff, and students alike. His impact will remain with us for years, not only at CTS but through the work of hundreds of alumni now ministering around the world.”

Edgerton first came to CTS as a student. After receiving his BA from Johns Hopkins University, he earned his MDiv at CTS in 1976. He served for several years as a United Church of Christ pastor in Wisconsin before returning to CTS to teach in 1983 and receiving his PhD from CTS in 1992. In addition to teaching the primary Preaching course at CTS, his teaching in recent years has included popular courses on Forgiveness and on The
 Poetics 
of 
Grief. Concurrent with his faculty appointment, Professor Edgerton held several administrative positions at CTS including that of academic dean from 1999 until 2008.

“Dow is an outstanding storyteller, preacher, and engaging professor by all accounts,” Dr. Emily Vogt, assistant dean for academic administration, said. “It is a joy to be in his classroom. His lessons and stories keep his students on the edge of their seats. Dow embodies all the best qualities one could want in a professor. We will miss him, but are grateful for the legacy he leaves us with.”

He was also one of the founding faculty members of the DMin in Preaching program offered jointly by several member schools of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS), including CTS. His publications include the books The
 Passion 
of
 Interpretation,
 Speak
 to 
Me
 That 
I
 May
 Speak:
 A
 Spiritual
 of
 Preaching, In 
Other 
Words:
 Incarnational 
Translation 
for
Preaching, with Charles Cosgrove, and Listening 
to
 Grief, which he generously gifted to CTS and published as an e-book. He is also well known for his passions for photography and music.