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Professor Barry Jackson Retires After 30 Years

After three decades of service on the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Byron “Barry” Jackson retired in June 2017. Upon his retirement, the Seminary named him dean emeritus of the faculty and Louise and Perry Dick Professor Emeritus of Education.

Jackson began teaching at the Seminary in 1986 in the area of church education and was installed as the first occupant of the Louise and Perry Dick Chair in Education in 1993. In addition to his service on the faculty and as vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty from 2005-2016, he also served as director of field education from 1986-2007.

“Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is, without a doubt, a better place today because of Barry Jackson’s dedication to students and colleagues and the work of theological education. Barry’s deep knowledge of PTS–its history, students, staff, and faculty–is rooted in his decades of leadership and tireless commitment to the institution. I join many others in being grateful to be able to call Barry a colleague and a friend,” says the Rev. Dr. Heather Hartung Vacek, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty and associate professor of church history.

For the last three decades, both as a professor, administrator, and ordained PC(U.S.A.) minister of Word and Sacrament, Jackson has facilitated students’ exploration of ways people learn through reflection on their experiences in ministry. In the classroom, he has taught on congregational dynamics, faith perspectives, teaching methods, program administration, and education theory. His teaching and leadership at PTS have been informed by his prior pastoral service to congregations in North Carolina and Kentucky, as well as his experience working on the staff of the PC(U.S.A.)’s General Assembly.

Jackson’s most recent research interest focuses on ministries to immigrant communities, particularly those in the U.S. and Europe—an interest he plans to develop further in his retirement.

Jackson received his bachelor’s from Randolph-Macon College, M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia; and Ed.D. from Columbia University. He has served on the board of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and on the steering committee of the Association for Theological Field Education.

Professor Barry Jackson Retires After 30 Years

After three decades of service on the faculty of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. Byron “Barry” Jackson retired in June 2017. Upon his retirement, the Seminary named him dean emeritus of the faculty and Louise and Perry Dick Professor Emeritus of Education.

Jackson began teaching at the Seminary in 1986 in the area of church education and was installed as the first occupant of the Louise and Perry Dick Chair in Education in 1993. In addition to his service on the faculty and as vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty from 2005-2016, he also served as director of field education from 1986-2007.

“Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is, without a doubt, a better place today because of Barry Jackson’s dedication to students and colleagues and the work of theological education. Barry’s deep knowledge of PTS–its history, students, staff, and faculty–is rooted in his decades of leadership and tireless commitment to the institution. I join many others in being grateful to be able to call Barry a colleague and a friend,” says the Rev. Dr. Heather Hartung Vacek, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty and associate professor of church history.

For the last three decades, both as a professor, administrator, and ordained PC(U.S.A.) minister of Word and Sacrament, Jackson has facilitated students’ exploration of ways people learn through reflection on their experiences in ministry. In the classroom, he has taught on congregational dynamics, faith perspectives, teaching methods, program administration, and education theory. His teaching and leadership at PTS have been informed by his prior pastoral service to congregations in North Carolina and Kentucky, as well as his experience working on the staff of the PC(U.S.A.)’s General Assembly.

Jackson’s most recent research interest focuses on ministries to immigrant communities, particularly those in the U.S. and Europe—an interest he plans to develop further in his retirement.

Jackson received his bachelor’s from Randolph-Macon College, M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia; and Ed.D. from Columbia University. He has served on the board of the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and on the steering committee of the Association for Theological Field Education.