Dr. Lonnie Yoder, professor of pastoral care and counseling at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, has been named associate dean of EMS.
Dr. Lonnie Yoder, associate dean
Dr. Yoder began his role May 15. He has been on the seminary faculty since 1991. In 1999-2000, he served as interim assistant dean at EMS.
The associate dean shares the leadership role with the seminary dean. Yoder will be responsible for overseeing student registration and records, class schedules and academic counseling for students.
EMS Dean-Elect Michael King said, “It’s with high enthusiasm that I welcome Lonnie Yoder to serve with me as associate dean of Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Symbolically the pairing seems a promising one: a respected long-time leader among EMS faculty and a newbie hoping to bring in some fresh breezes team up.”
“I anticipate working with Michael to provide sound and visionary leadership in the seminary,” Yoder said. “I also look forward to working with students in a way that equips them for service and leadership in the church and the world.”
Yoder is a member of Community Mennonite Church, Harrisonburg, where he serves as an elder on the pastoral team.
Yoder will succeed Sara Wenger Shenk, who has accepted the role of president of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind. He will continue teaching classes on pastoral care in the seminary.