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FROM THE SEMINARIES: SEBTS to nominate Whitfield provost; MBTS disburses CARES Act funds; NOBTS archaeology recognized


Whitfield to be nominated SEBTS provost
By BP Staff

WAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, plans to nominate Keith Whitfield to be the school’s next provost, he announced in a tweet Tuesday (July 21).

Akin noted the nomination must be approved by SEBTS’ board of trustees at its meeting in October. Whitfield, who is currently serving as acting provost, is an associate professor of theology, dean of graduate studies and vice president for academic affairs.

“We are excited about the days ahead at (Southeastern),” Akin tweeted. “I am confident that (Whitfield) will lead our faculty well as we work to equip students to serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission.”

Whitfield moved into the role as acting provost earlier this month, when Bruce Ashford resigned from the post. Ashford is remaining with the seminary as a professor of theology and culture.

Whitfield previously served as acting provost in 2019, while Ashford was on a sabbatical. Whitfield’s wife Amy is associate vice president for convention communications with the SBC Executive Committee.

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MBTS disburses CARES Act funds
By Staff

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP) — In May, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary became a recipient of funds provided by the CARES Act. In accordance with the details of the grant, the institution plans to award no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students. The institution received $233,499 from the Department of Education specifically for emergency financial aid grants to students.

As of July 8, the institution had disbursed $146,365 in emergency financial aid grants to 90 students. Students who were potentially eligible were encouraged to complete the FAFSA and an emergency aid request form. Other students who were already eligible were distributed funds based on expenses incurred, as calculated by the institution.

Spurgeon College or Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary students who feel they may be eligible should complete the 2019-20 FAFSA and complete an emergency aid request. When both of these requirements have been met, the institution will review the aid request and distribute funds, if allowable. For additional questions, please reach out to [email protected].

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Despite canceled season, NOBTS excavation recognized
By Gary D. Myers

NEW ORLEANS (BP) — Archaeologists from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary planned to spend much of June and July excavating at Tel Hadid, the site of a biblical city in Israel. But like so many other events in 2020, their dig season was a casualty of COVID-19.

Despite the loss of this summer’s excavation season, the Tel Hadid dig was the cover story of Biblical Archaeology Review’s summer issue. The feature, “Tel Hadid: Through the Ages,” was co-authored by NOBTS and Tel Aviv University professors. The popular magazine enjoys broad readership which ranges from members of the general public to professional archaeologists and scholars.

“Being on the cover of BAR offers the opportunity for excavations to gain significant notoriety in the field of archaeology,” said Dan Warner, professor of archaeology at NOBTS and co-director of the Tel Hadid Expedition. “Being on the cover also creates an interest factor for excavations to gain volunteers to come join the fun in the dirt. So, it is prized by all excavations.”

Read the full report here.

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