Paul Powell To Continue As Truett Dean

by Larry D. Brumley

Baylor University President Robert B. Sloan Jr. announced today that George W. Truett Theological Seminary Dean Paul W. Powell, who assumed the post in February 2001 with a commitment to serve up to three years, has agreed to continue as dean beyond his third-year anniversary.
"Paul Powell has provided extraordinary leadership for Truett Seminary these past three years, approaching the task with great passion and commitment," Sloan said. "He has been particularly effective at strengthening the seminary's relationship with Texas Baptist churches, resulting in significant increases in enrollment and expanded financial support for Truett. I am grateful that he will continue to serve our seminary in this important capacity."
Under Powell's leadership, the seminary's enrollment has grown from 247 to 380 students; new joint master of divinity/master of music and master of divinity/master of education in counseling degree programs have been approved; several new faculty members have been hired; and more than 200 endowed scholarships have been established.
"It had been my intention to retire this spring, but President Sloan requested that I continue as dean, and I have agreed to do so because of the importance of Truett to Baylor's mission and to traditional Baptists everywhere," Powell said. "Truett is a traditional Baptist seminary committed to our historic Baptist principles and it is our mission to train the next generation of ministers and missionaries. Our vision is to be the premier Baptist theological institution in the world, if we aren't already.
"The school continues to be one of the fastest-growing seminaries in America," Powell said. "In the last few months, we've had the greatest financial response of my three-year tenure, and I fully expect that to continue. I want to be a part of something that is great and good, and that's the way I feel about Truett and its future."
Prior to joining the seminary in 1991, Powell served as a member of the Baylor Board of Regents and was president of the Robert M. Rogers Foundation. He retired in 1998 as president and CEO of the Annuity Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and has served in numerous offices with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, including a term as president from 1985-87. A former regent chairman, Powell is president of the board of advisers for Texas Baptist Leadership.
In addition, Powell has served as pastor at Texas Baptist churches in Belfalls, Troy, Taylor, San Marcos and Tyler, where he served for 17 years as pastor of Green Acres Baptist Church. A much sought-after speaker, he continues to preach regularly at churches throughout Texas.