Buies Creek – Dr. Michael Cogdill, founding dean and professor of Pastoral Leadership at the Campbell University Divinity School, has announced his desire to step down from his current post at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 academic year. Dr. Cogdill will begin service as a full-time faculty member in the Divinity School.
Dean Cogdill has served as the Divinity School’s only dean since his appointment in December 1995. During the last fourteen years, he has led the school to numerous accomplishments. Among them are the recruitment of an experienced and knowledgeable faculty, the development of an innovative curriculum, the building of a solid endowment, the achievement of the school’s full accreditation and the strengthening of church ties throughout Baptist and other circles. Under Dean Cogdill’s leadership, the Divinity School also saw the creation of a Doctor of Ministry degree program. In recent years, he helped guide the work of the Butler Chapel Campaign Cabinet resulting in the building of Campbell’s first-ever Chapel.
“In 1995 it was Campbell University’s good fortune to position Mike Cogdill as founding dean of the Divinity School. In the ensuing years he has led the Divinity School in superb fashion,” said Dr. Jerry Wallace, president of Campbell University. “While we shall miss his leadership, we are pleased that as a professor of pastoral leadership he will continue at Campbell to bring his considerable knowledge and skill to bear in the training of Christian ministers.”
In a prepared statement, Dean Cogdill shares the following words with the Divinity School faculty, staff, and students: “It has been a dream come true to serve as the founding Dean of the Divinity School. I care deeply for the welfare of the school, and for all of its faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends. It is now time in my life to give thanks for this wonderful chapter of ministry, and to embrace the new opportunities for the future. I look forward to continuing to help the Divinity School prosper and grow as a full-time member of the faculty.”
The University will form a search committee in the coming weeks to select the next dean.