Steven Peay to step down Aug 31 due to health concerns, and desire to foster new leadership
An announcement from the Board of Directors of Nashotah House August 7, 2017
The Board of Directors regrets to announce that it has accepted the resignation of the Very Rev. Steven A. Peay, Ph.D. as Dean and President of Nashotah House. Fr. Peay has served as Dean and President since February, 2015. Fr. Peay notified the Board that his decision to step down is based upon a number of personal factors, including the need to assist full recovery from a recent, non-life-threatening health issue and a desire to facilitate new leadership at the House. The Board, consequently, is delighted that Fr. Peay has accepted an appointment as Research Professor of Homiletics at Nashotah House, effective September 1, 2017, and will remain a member of the House community after he steps down as Dean and President on August 31.
During his tenure as Dean and President, Fr. Peay led the House through a critical period of restructuring and renewal. Fr. Peay worked closely with the corporate leadership of the House to implement successfully a new institutional governance structure. He also worked closely with the faculty and administrative leadership to ensure the seminary’s accreditation remained in good standing and laid the foundation for the upcoming accreditation process by the Association of Theological Schools, the accrediting entity for seminaries in North America. Moreover, during his term of service, Fr. Peay raised more than $7M for the seminary’s endowment, the single largest fundraising effort in the history of the House, and thus moved the institution closer to its goal of ensuring long-term financial viability. He also ensured that the gift of eight Whitechapel bells will ring out over the campus, securing the gifts necessary to build the tower to house them. The Board of Directors wishes to express its gratitude to Fr. Peay for his dedicated and outstanding service to Nashotah House.
Dr. Garwood P. Anderson, Ph.D., Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament studies, will assume the position of Acting Dean, effective September 1. Dr. Anderson is well-known to the Nashotah House community due to his many years of dedicated service as a teacher, scholar, and previous academic dean. The Board of Directors looks forward to working with Dr. Anderson and thanks him sincerely for his willingness to assume leadership of the House during this ongoing period of restructuring and administrative renewal. Dr. Anderson understands well the unique mission, ministry, and Benedictine character of the House and will provide effective leadership during this important time of transition.
The Board bids the prayers of the entire Nashotah House community, students, faculty, staff, alumni and alumnae, and benefactors during this time of change and transition.