President Rev. Dr. Wheeler

The Interdenominational Theological Center’s President Rev. Dr. Edward L. Wheeler announced on April 26 that he is retiring from the role he’s held for the past four years. Wheeler made the announcement during a board of trustees’ executive meeting, on campus.Wheeler is the 10th person to serve in ITC’s top leadership role since its founding in 1958. Wheeler stated in his remarks to the board that he will be concluding his presidential position effective June 30, 2019, a position he has held since 2015.
 ​The ITC board of trustees’ accepted the retirement letter with an expression of gratitude for Wheeler’s services.
 “I have been blessed by my time at ITC,” Wheeler said. My prayer is that new leadership will help ITC realize its unlimited potential. ITC’s liberating Africentric focus is needed now more than ever.”
 Under Wheeler’s leadership, the institution has achieved several goals which include:

• Probation with SACSCOC was removed, and its accreditation reaffirmed.
• ITC received a $250,000 sustainability grant from the Lilly Endowment.
• Enrollment has increased.
• Curriculum revisions have been implemented.
• Policies and procedures designed to increase institutional effectiveness have been put in place and;
• admissions standards have been raised.

“Transitions are an essential part of life,” stated Wheeler. The world is changing, the church is changing, and theological education must change to be relevant to the changes taking place all around us. I am confident the next generation of leadership for ITC will move the mission forward so that ITC will continue to prepare transformation leaders for an ever-changing world.”
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​ITC’s Board will spend the next two months identifying what the next President’s work will be. An interim will be appointed to assume the duties of the presidential office, and a search will be launched later this year.

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