President's Greeting

My association with Palmer Theological Seminary spans nearly four decades. I was a student here in the early 1970s, a professor in the 1980s, and now am extremely proud to serve as the Seminary’s 12th president since its founding in 1925.

Palmer is a very special place, not so much because of our academic programs or our physical facilities, but because of our unique mission in the field of theological education. Our identity is characterized by a view of the Bible that takes ALL its words and messages seriously. We consider it our mission to equip women and men not just to address the spiritual condition of those among whom they will minister, but also to speak with a prophetic voice to issues related to equality, social justice, and concern for the poor. All of these are major themes throughout Scripture.

Our commitments influence the programs and course offerings here, as well as the way these courses are taught. These commitments have also led us to welcome voices of many different ethnic and theological traditions as we affirm, as a community, the unity we find at the foot of the Cross. Our student body, for example, features atypically high percentages of women and African-American students, something of which we are proud. And even though we are a fairly small community, our faculty, staff, and students together represent some two dozen nations around the globe.

I recognize that Palmer Seminary is not for everyone. But I certainly encourage you to learn more about Palmer in order to determine if this might be the best place for you. Please contact us by phone or e-mail. Visit us; request our free DVD. I am confident that the more you get to know Palmer Seminary the more you will respect our mission to take the whole gospel to the whole world through whole persons.

In Christ,

Wallace Charles Smith,
President
sempres@eastern.edu