The Rev. Thomas J. Ferguson will become the dean of Bexley Hall, an Episcopal Church-affiliated seminary. Since 2010, he has served as the Episcopal Church's ecumenical and interreligious relations officer working to foster ecumenical and interreligious dialogue and cooperation with other Christian communions and world religions. He is also the part-time chaplain of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
An official announcement stated Ferguson will serve as chief academic officer and administrator of the Columbus, Ohio, school and will be responsible for the seminary's day-to-day operations, student learning, work of the faculty and stewardship of financial resources.
Bexley offers a residential Master of Divinity program in partnership with Trinity Lutheran Seminary, on whose campus Bexley is now located. Bexley and Seabury Western Theological Seminary (Evanston Ill.), two of the smallest seminaries connected with the Episcopal Church, have been exploring ways to collaborate since 2007 with an aim to strengthen and expand the reach of their educational offerings.
Ferguson said in a press release, "This is an exciting time in the life of Bexley…with its emphasis on ecumenical partnerships and innovative formation for ministry grounded in community."
Ferguson has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Claremont School of Theology, Union Theological Seminary and Church Divinity School of the Pacific (a Graduate Theological Union member school). He graduated in 2002 with a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union and is also a graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Yale Divinity School and Wesleyan University.