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| The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Whitaker |
In
1957 the center became a school, and The Rev. Dr. Robert H. Whitaker was hired as director.
While it was providing regularly planned education for lay
people, the School’s focus in the 1960’s was on training clergy for the many new congregations in the Diocese.
The Rev. A. Paul Nancarrow was hired as associate director in 1964. In the 1970’s the rediscovery
of lay ministry prompted a re-emphasis on the development of courses for the laity to be taken to congregations throughout
the Diocese.
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| The Rev. Patricia Eichenlaub |
In
1979 The Rev. Dr. Patricia Eichenlaub was hired as associate director to continue and to develop lay education and to explore
methods of education.
By the 1980’s, as the laity were taking increased leadership within the Church
and as the development of women’s ministry became one of full and equal partnership, the School began to belong to the
people—a direction fully supported by Bishop McGehee. In 1983, Whitaker retired, the School was renamed to honor his
leadership, and Eichenlaub was named director.
Visibility of the School increased through initiation of a newsletter, a display at Diocesan Convention, and
a Convention luncheon hosted by the newly developed Alumni and Friends Association.
In 1986 The Rev. Robert Wollard was hired as field director
of the Huron District to develop educational opportunities in the northern reaches of the Diocese. In 1990
the Ministry Studies Program (now Deacon Formation Program) was launched to provide formation and more directed field experience
for deacons, and to meet the needs of laity who wanted systematic training and education. In 1994, the
Diocese of Michigan divided to form the Eastern Diocese of Michigan and the Diocese of Michigan. In 1998
Eichenlaub concluded her service at the Whitaker School of Theology, having served as Director and Dean of Studies for 19
years.
In
August, 1998 Denise B. Crenshaw was named the third Dean and first lay person to hold this position.
In this decade the Whitaker School administrative offices returned to the Episcopal Church Center and this put
the school in a great position to provide educational offerings in direct response to requests made of the Bishop and Diocese.
Prior to Denise's departure in June, 2008, she served 10 years as the Director and Dean of Studies and is
directly responsible for designing and implementing some powerful programs. One such is the Leadership Development
Program which has been greatly successful.
In 2009, the school welcomed a new Executive Director, Karen S. Robinson. Prior to her arrival she had been Special
Assistant for Advancement at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina and Executive Director of the Siouxland Labor-Management Committee
in Sioux City, Iowa. Karen is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration
in nonprofit leadership at UM-Dearborn and is a member of Christ Church Cranbrook.
LOOKING
FORWARD
Throughout the past 50 years
there have been countless instructors, committee members, board members, students, contributors and friends of the Whitaker
School. It is noteworthy that many of the Whitaker Instructors provide their services as a contribution.
The School continues its
tradition of responding to the educational needs of the people of the Diocese, and of developing and maintaining relationships
with the wider community and other educational institutions in the Diocese.
We look to the next
50 years for meaningful ministry with the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.
Throughout the life and ministry of the Whitaker
School, the staff, board of directors and the Bishop have remained committed to providing quality educational opportunities
for the people of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan at an affordable rate and will continue to do so!
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