Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth elects new president, chancellor
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s trustees have elected new leadership at the 115-year-old institution in Fort Worth.
David S. Dockery will serve as the seminary’s 10th president, while O.S. Hawkins has been named chancellor. The board of trustees unanimously approved the appointments Tuesday.
Dockery has served as interim president since the resignation in September of Adam W. Greenway. Hawkins has served as ambassador-at-large.
An Alabama native, Dockery earned the master of divinity from Southwestern Seminary in 1981. He joined the faculty in 2019 as a distinguished professor of theology and theologian-in-residence for the B.H. Carroll Center for Baptist Heritage and Mission.
Previously, Dockery served as president and chancellor at Trinity International University in Illinois, and as president of Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. At both institutions, his leadership was described as transformative in the face of years of declining enrollment and institutional challenges.
“Dr. David Dockery is God’s man for Southwestern Seminary in this hour,” Chairman Danny Roberts told trustees, according to a statement. “Our seminary’s at a critical juncture in this 115-year history, and in God’s providence, He has already provided the man to lead our seminary during this time.”
Southwestern opted to forgo a national search to fill the president position as soon as possible, Roberts said.
Dockery said he was “deeply humbled and genuinely grateful for the privilege and responsibility to serve,” according to the announcement.
“I am truly thankful for the overwhelming support from the board of trustees as well as for the faithful encouragement and prayerful support from the faculty, staff, colleagues, and students. What an honor it will be to continue to serve side-by-side with O.S. Hawkins, a dear friend and person that I greatly admire and from whom I have learned much in recent months.”
As chancellor, Hawkins will continue to serve as a volunteer and report to Dockery.
‘Impeccable leadership credentials’
“There are really few leaders in Southern Baptist Convention life who have the impeccable leadership credentials of Dr. Hawkins has with the sterling track record of 25 years as president of GuideStone Financial Resources, among other places of service,” Roberts said.
Hawkins, a Fort Worth native, retired in March 2022 as president and CEO of Dallas-based GuideStone, which provides financial services to more than 50,000 churches and ministries and 250,000 clergy, church workers, missionaries, university and seminaries. He led the organization for 25 years.
Hawkins earned his master of divinity and doctor of philosophy at Southwestern.
“I have loved Southwestern since the first day I attended classes in January 1970,” Hawkins said, “and I feel a sense of indebtedness to all those who invested so much in my own journey.”
Dockery has authored, edited or contributed to nearly 100 books and is best known for his works in the areas of Baptist studies, biblical interpretation and Christian higher education. Hawkins has authored more than 40 books, including the best-selling “Code Series” with proceeds and royalties benefitting Mission:Dignity, a ministry of GuideStone started to assist retired ministers and widows.
Southwestern is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award bachelor, master’s and doctoral degrees. The seminary is also accredited by the Association of Theological Schools.
