Answering the dynamic call of God, The Rev. Dr. Edwin David Aponte will leave his position as Executive Director of the Louisville Institute on May 31, 2022, to become the Dean of Drew Theological School. While we mourn his departure from the Louisville Institute, we celebrate his new appointment at Drew University.

“The Louisville Institute has thrived under Dr. Aponte’s leadership, and we are proud of all he has accomplished during his tenure. He has been a tireless advocate for a broad range of early and seasoned scholars, as well as for diverse and innovative pastoral leaders, who are at the forefront of the academy and church,” said The Rev. Dr. Aimee Moiso, Associate Director of the Louisville Institute. “I know I speak for the whole team when I say his passionate and compassionate efforts have contributed deeply to the flourishing of North American Christianity. That he has been invited into this position at Drew Theological School is a measure of what a great scholar and colleague he is, and we will miss him tremendously.”

Aponte joined the Louisville Institute as Executive Director in 2015, after serving on the Advisory Board from 2008 to 2014. During his tenure as Executive Director, he successfully oversaw the writing of $22.2 million in grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. to support the ongoing work of the Institute. As part of the Vocation of the Theological Educator Initiative, Aponte successfully placed 65 early career scholars in Postdoctoral Fellowship positions throughout the United States and Canada.

On behalf of the staff and Advisory Board of the Louisville Institute, thank you Edwin for your leadership, service, and friendship!