Pittsburgh Theological Seminary honors the Rev. Dr. James Davison, Dr. Martha Robbins, and the Rev. Dr. John Wilson who all retire this year. They have taught, preached, written, led, innovated, and served at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for a combined 71 years. Check out pictures from their retirement party.
Already serving as an adjunct lecturer in Greek, Jim Davison became director of continuing education and special events in 2001. Under his leadership, the Continuing Education program has grown substantially. PTS now offers more than 50 programs annually and brings nearly 3,000 people to campus. Courses include lectureships, workshops by PTS professors, classes on various theological topics, studies for Commissioned Ruling Elders, spiritual formation electives, professional education for psychologists and social workers, and a variety of other events. In the future Jim plans to continue writing and looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren.
Martha Robbins has been at the Seminary since 1986 and currently serves as the Joan Marshall Associate Professor of Pastoral Care. She was the first woman in PTS history to be installed into a chair. She co-founded the Pittsburgh Consortium on Faith and Health, the Spirituality and Psychology Program (an APA approved program for granting continuing education credits for psychologists and other mental health providers), and the Certificate Program in Spiritual Formation within the Continuing Education Department, all for which she remains an advisor and a frequent instructor. During retirement she’ll continue her work with the Pneuma Institute which provides educational and supervised training in spiritual direction and leadership.
For 29 years John Wilson has been a faculty member at PTS. Now the P. C. Rossin Professor of Church History, John has taught all periods of church history, and his main area of research is 19th century hermeneutics and religious thought. He has written books in both English and German and recently wrote Introduction to Modern Theology: Trajectories in the German Tradition. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, John also served for six years as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. In retirement he plans to continue writing and has a number of projects in the works.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa., and more than 300 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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