Kansas City, KS (ABP) — Molly Marshall was elected president of Central Baptist Theological Seminary Nov. 12, becoming the first female president of an accredited Baptist seminary.
Marshall, 54, succeeds Thomas Clifton, who retired at the end of 2003 after 10 years as president.
For the past nine years, Marshall has been professor of theology and spiritual formation at Central and currently serves as acting academic dean. Central Seminary, founded in 1901, is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches U.S.A. and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.
Marshall was elected unanimously by the school's board of trustees on the recommendation of its presidential search committee. She begins her duties as the seminary's 10th president Jan. 1.
This is the first time a woman has held the position of president at any Baptist-affiliated seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
A 20-year veteran of theological education, Marshall was associate professor of theology and associate dean at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky., before going to Central.
A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University, she received master's and doctoral degrees from Southern Seminary. She has done additional study at Cambridge (England) University and Princeton (N.J.) Theological Seminary.
Marshall has published three books: "What It Means to be Human," "Joining the Dance: A Theology of the Spirit," and "No Salvation Outside the Church."
