[1]FORT WORTH, Texas (BP)–Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, has named a new vice president and associate vice president for student services.
Rudy Gonzalez, former director of interfaith evangelism with the North American Mission Board, was named vice president while David McQuitty, former dean of students at Southwestern, was named associate vice president.
Gonzalez earned a master of divinity with biblical languages degree from Southwestern Seminary in 1989 and a doctor of philosophy degree from Baylor University in 1999.
Seminary President Paige Patterson called Gonzalez a “superb New Testament scholar” who led his division at NAMB with courage and conviction. He said Gonzalez would bring the same tenacity to his new responsibilities, which include overseeing chapel and coordinating student services.
Patterson noted that Gonzalez would be given other responsibilities as well. “Southwestern Seminary is making every effort to increase the ministries of the school among the burgeoning Hispanic population of the state and reach them for Christ. With the appointment of Dr. Gonzalez and other Hispanics in the near future, and with the services of Drs. Daniel Sanchez and Esther Diaz-Bolet, we anticipate beginning to offer classes in the Spanish language.”
Gonzalez said he is excited about returning to Southwestern Seminary and Texas. He was reared in San Antonio, where he also became a Christian. “When I began attending Southwestern back in the early 1980s, it was awe-inspiring,” Gonzalez said. “I never imagined God would call me to serve Him there. I consider it a tremendous blessing to be entrusted with this office as the seminary’s vice president of student services. It is also an honor to serve under Dr. Patterson, who has been a tremendous influence in my life and ministry since I was a young student under his teaching at Criswell College.”
[2]McQuitty earned two master’s degrees and later a doctor of philosophy degree from Southwestern. Patterson said he is enthusiastic about McQuitty’s promotion from dean of students and personally grateful for his friendship.
“Dr. McQuitty is one of the most loved and honored leaders on this campus and has been of inestimable value to me during this transition,” Patterson said.
Patterson said the seminary is prepared for anticipated increases in student enrollment with the two men in their new roles. In August, Patterson said that he hopes enrollment at the seminary would increase to 6,000.
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