Ragsdale to step down as EDS president and dean

The Board of Trustees of Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge announced today that it has accepted the decision of the Very Rev. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, President and Dean, to not seek a renewal of her contract when it expires at the end of June.

"We accept her decision with gratitude for her service and for what she has accomplished during her tenure. Since her appointment over five years ago, President Ragsdale has served EDS with vigor and a commitment to excellence," the trustees said in their Jan. 5 statement.

"President Ragsdale has honored our tradition of being a respected and progressive center for study and spiritual formation for lay and ordained leaders and, as she leaves our institution, we have hope for the future as our students, staff, faculty and alumni serve and advance God's mission of justice, compassion and reconciliation," the trustees' statement said.

"President Ragsdale has generously offered her assistance to ensure a smooth transition and has asked us to expedite the change of leadership," the trustees' statement said. 

In a separate statement, Ragsdale said she is "very proud of our accomplishments over the last five years: major renovations to our physical plant and technology systems; increased giving from alumni and friends as well as new foundation grants; improvements in our distributive learning program to improve the experience for both faculty and students; transformative work within the Boston Theological Institute; the creation of the Mission Institute; and the preliminary stages of a capital campaign; and new partnerships with Bloy House and Chung Chi College in Hong Kong as well as preliminary conversations regarding cross registration for on-line and on-site courses, course sharing and resource sharing possibilities among Episcopal seminaries, progressive theological schools and diocesan schools, as well as small colleges and major universities (to insure a future for EDS, and theological education, that is both sustainable and relevant).

"None of this would have been possible without an extraordinary staff and I wish to express my gratitude for their good work.  And, of course, all of this work is important only in that it supports the teaching and learning for which EDS exists. In addition to designing and teaching what often prove to be life-changing courses, our faculty have helped put together several powerful conferences and lecture series. The school has been blessed by the extraordinary talent we have been able to draw from around the world for these events as well as by the alums who have gone from EDS into transformative ministries in the church and the world," Ragsdale said.

"EDS has a long and distinguished history. I have every reason to believe that it will continue on what has become its traditional, and signature, path and I look forward to seeing what comes next for it," Ragsdale said.

Information about interim leadership will be forthcoming, the trustees said in their statement. 

"For now we want to express our thanks to President Ragsdale. With this leadership transition, we ask all members of our community to offer their gracious prayers to our departing President and to contribute to a welcoming and prayerful community for our next leaders. Walking in love and guided by justice, we are confident that our community will together help the Board and new leadership in its efforts to chart a sound and ambitious forward course," the trustees said.