Truett Seminary Adds Two New Faculty Members

by Lori Scott Fogleman

Dr. Levi W. Price Jr., pastor of El Paso's First Baptist Church for the past 17 years, and Dr. W. Dennis Tucker Jr., assistant professor of biblical studies and theology at Ouachita Baptist University, will join the faculty of Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary this summer.
Price, a Baylor regent who completed his term June 1, will become professor of Christian ministry and director of pastoral ministries, effective June 17. He will be responsible for teaching and directing the pastoral ministry program, which includes mentoring and assisting with the placement of students in church ministries. Tucker, who has been at Ouachita since 1997, will join Truett Seminary as assistant professor of Christian scriptures in August.
A two-time varsity football letterman, Price graduated from Baylor in 1964. He earned his master of divinity degree in 1972 and a doctor of ministry degree in 1976 from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he served in the United States Marine Corps from 1965-68, rising to the rank of captain.
Price has served as pastor of four churches, including First Baptist Church of El Paso, where he has served since 1985. He also served with the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Yucatan, Mexico, and held positions in the California Baptist Convention and the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In addition, he is a member of Truett Seminary's advisory board, a board member of Hispanic Baptist Theological School and president of Paisano Baptist Encampment. He also has served on the grievance committee for the State Bar of Texas, advisory council of Prison Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Hospice of El Paso.
Price and his wife, Luethyl, have two children, Timothy Levi and Sara Gloria.
"Since the beginning of Truett Seminary, I have worked, along with many others, to support it, and I believe very strongly in the seminary and its mission," Price said. "I am thrilled and honored to be able to work in a meaningful way for the success of Truett and to be involved in the education and training of the students of the seminary."
Dr. Paul W. Powell, dean of Truett Seminary, described Price as "very active in denominational life" and a man much respected among his colleagues. "We are pleased to have him join our outstanding faculty as professor and in this vital role as director of pastoral ministries," Powell said.
Tucker is a 1990 magna cum laude graduate of Ouachita with a bachelor's degree in biblical languages and philosophy. He earned his master of divinity degree in 1993 from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he studied with Dr. David E. Garland, Truett's associate dean for academic affairs. Tucker also received a specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Louisville in 1997 and his doctorate in Old Testament studies from Southern Seminary, also in 1997.
"I was drawn to Truett Seminary because it has positioned itself as one of the leading seminaries in Baptist life, with a strong commitment to academic integrity and a genuine commitment to the churches it serves," Tucker said. "I've sent several students to Truett from Ouachita and they continue to rave about their experiences at Baylor and at Truett and found it a meaningful place to continue their education."
In addition to his faculty position at Ouachita, Tucker serves as director of external programs. He was associate director of the university's self-study from 1998-2001 and director of academic skills development from 1997-2000. Before joining the Ouachita faculty in 1997, Tucker served as assistant registrar at Southern Seminary from 1995-96, as an adjunct professor of religion at Boyce Bible School in Louisville, Ky., and was a Garrett Fellow at Southern from 1993-95.
Tucker's ministerial experience includes serving as interim minister of education and administration at First Baptist Church of Arkadelphia, Ark., and as a supply preacher to various churches in Arkansas since 1997. He has served as interim pastor at churches in Arkansas and Kentucky and was pastor of Bethel Unity Baptist Church in Rising Sun, Ind., from 1991-94.
Tucker served as co-editor of Introduction to Wisdom Literature and the Psalms, published by Mercer University Press in 2000. He also has published several articles and reviews and presented papers on the Psalms and Old Testament theology at conferences throughout the United States. He currently is revising and expanding "Psalms 1-50" in Word Biblical Commentary Series and is writing two chapters for The Story of Israel: A Biblical Theology, which will be published next year by InterVarsity Press.
Tucker and his wife, Tish, have three daughters: Hannah, 4; Sarah, 2; and Hope, who is 4 months old.
For more information, contact Truett Seminary at (254) 710-3755 or visit the seminary's web site at www.truettseminary.net.