Ashland Theological Seminary Faculty Members Receive Promotions

4/6/10 ASHLAND, Ohio --Two Ashland Theological Seminary faculty members have received promotions following the action of the Ashland University Board of Trustees earlier this year. The promotions are to take effect on July 1, the beginning of the institution's 2010-2011 academic year.

Dr. Mitzi J. Smith and Dr. Rob Douglass were both promoted from assistant professor to associate professor.

Dr. Mitzi J. Smith has been teaching in the Biblical Studies Department since 2006 and she works out of the Detroit Center of ATS. Mitzi has a Ph.D. from Harvard University as well as master's degrees from Howard University School of Divinity (M.Div.) and The Ohio State University (M.A.).

Dr. Smith has demonstrated a strong commitment to scholarship through active involvement in the Society of Biblical Literature and has been awarded a number of grants in support of her work. These include a 2009-10 Lilly Faculty Fellowship for $30,000. She is active in the local church and the broader Detroit community and has made significant contributions to the ATS Biblical Studies Department. Dr. Smith continuously seeks to improve her craft as a professor and has been a wonderful mentor to students at the Detroit Center.

Dr. Douglass teaches in the Practical Theology Department, primarily in the area of worship. In addition, he has oversight of the seminary's weekly chapels. Douglass has a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Duquesne University and an M.Div. from ATS. He joined the faculty in 2004 following 12 years of pastoral ministry and has proven to be most effective as a teacher.

Douglass has made a significant impact as a mentor to students, both inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Douglass has served on various seminary committees and currently chairs the practical theology department.

He and his wife, Chris, who works at Hospice of North Central Ohio, have three children.

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