[1]LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)–Lawrence Smith has been appointed dean of students and vice president for community relations at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College, and his wife Garnetta has been named associate dean for women, R. Albert Mohler Jr. announced during an Oct. 14 meeting of the seminary’s trustees.
Smith has served as vice president for communications since 2001. The Smiths have been married for 29 years and have two sons, Jason, 24, and Edward, 18.
“We really needed someone in this role to expand what we’re able to do with students, with a particular view to the college,” Mohler, the seminary’s president, said. “It doesn’t hurt at all that he also is the father of two wonderfully grown sons and has a lot of experience in doing the kinds of things we need a dean of students to do.
“And you know, the only thing better than knowing Lawrence is knowing Lawrence and Garnetta. They are going to be a powerful one-two team,” Mohler said.
Smith expressed gratefulness and optimism for the task ahead.
“It’s an honor for Garnetta and me to have the opportunity to work directly with our students and help prepare them both for ministry and for life,” Smith said. “We have grown to love and respect the students at Southern Seminary and Boyce College and look forward to their becoming an even bigger part of our lives.”
[2]Lawrence Smith will begin the transition into his new duties immediately, and Garnetta Smith will join the staff effective Nov. 3.
Dan Dewitt has been named associate vice president for communications. He has served at Boyce College since 2004, most recently as associate dean for institutional relations. Dewitt and his wife April have 2-year-old twin boys, Isaiah and Micah. Dewitt also will teach in Southern Seminary’s school of leadership and church ministry.
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Adapted from a release from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary public relations office.