School of Divinity Dean Jonathan Walton to become President of Princeton Theological Seminary

October 14, 2022

Jonathan Lee Walton, Dean of the Wake Forest University School of Divinity, Presidential Chair of Religion and Society, Dean of Wait Chapel, has been named the President of Princeton Theological Seminary. Walton, a social ethicist whose scholarship focuses on evangelical Christianity and its relationship to mass media and political culture, earned his MDiv and PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Walton took up his deanship roles at Wake Forest in January 2020, coming from Harvard where he served as the Plummer Professor of Christian Morals and Pusey Minister in the University’s Memorial Church. He will continue to lead the Wake Forest School of Divinity and Wait Chapel until January 1, 2023, when he begins work at the Princeton Theological Seminary.

“Wake Forest University is special. The people are generous, warm, and this University community embraced my entire family in a way that can only be described as grace, undeserved favor,” Walton said. “Though I’ve accepted this opportunity to serve my alma mater as its next president, institutional affiliation will not undercut my shared commitment to Pro Humanitate.”

Walton is the author of two books, several journal articles, book chapters and book reviews. As an advocate for social justice and civil rights, his work and insights have been featured in several national and international news outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Time Magazine, and the BBC.

At Wake Forest, Walton’s leadership was profound and among his contributions are the following accomplishments:

• Successfully navigating the Divinity School community through the pandemic and contributing to the overall response of the University to the needs of our students and faculty
• Attracting numerous philanthropic gifts and competitive foundation grants totaling more than $15 million to support the mission of the Divinity School
• Collaborating with the School of Professional Studies to develop new certificate and degree programs including the Graduate Certificate in Faith and Health Equity

Enhancing university-wide collaborations to further integrate the Divinity School community within the broader university, including Worship in Wait, Wake the Arts, and the Department of Athletics

In an announcement to the Wake Forest community President Susan R. Wente and Provost Michele Gillespie wrote, “Arriving at Wake Forest just before the start of the pandemic, we immediately felt Dean Walton’s impact in our community. He provided an inspirational voice of hope and unity during a challenging time. We are grateful for Dean Walton’s friendship and leadership.”

Wake Forest University will soon share plans for the transition of leadership of the School of Divinity.