Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology

Christian Century, April 24, 2002

* Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology has chosen William B. Lawrence, 55, as dean to head the United Methodist-affiliated divinity school. Lawrence, now an associate dean at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, succeeds Robin Lovin, who remains on the SMU faculty as an ethics professor.

Lawrence was a pastor for 21 years at congregations in New York and Pennsylvania; district superintendent of churches in the same region; senior pastor of Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C.; and director of the church's General Commission on Religion and Race. With degrees from Duke University, Union Theological Seminary and Drew University, Lawrence has written on the history of the denomination, ordination standards and bishops.