The 128th Founders’ Observance for Turner Theological Seminary is planned for February 7-8, 2022. This year’s celebration will be particularly historic because the first woman will be installed as President-Dean. Other noteworthy events include the Eighth Annual Hall of Fame Induction and keynote lectures on the intersectionality of leadership and politics. Turner Theological Seminary is the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church’s constituent school of the five affiliate seminaries making up the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta.
The Rev. Ammie L. Davis, PhD. was officially confirmed as President-Dean on December 13, 2021, by the Turner Board of Trustees. Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the seminary’s board chair and presiding prelate for the Sixth Episcopal District of the AME Church provided pivotal leadership in the selection of Dr. Davis. “We engaged in a very transparent selection process where board members, alumni, and students had the opportunity to participate and contribute to the discourse,” according to Bishop Jackson. “Dr. Davis’ gender makes this appointment historic for us, but it is important that we also point out that she was unequivocally selected based upon her strategic vision for the future of Turner, her proven leadership skills, and her years of commitment and support to theological education. I am certain that she will lead with distinction.”
Dr. Davis, a 2004 graduate of Turner Theological Seminary, is a retired decorated military leader who served in the United States Navy for 28 years as a Chaplain and Hospitalman Corpsman, an experienced nonprofit organization executive director, and a prolific preacher and pastor. She will be officially installed as the Eighth President-Dean on Tuesday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. The installation service will be held at Flipper Temple AME Church, 580 Atlanta Student Movement Blvd., SW, Atlanta, GA, neighboring the seminary’s campus. She will also deliver the convocation message and is expected to share her strategic thinking for the seminary.
The two-day schedule of the Founders’ Observance annually attracts a growing number of alumni, colleagues, and civic and community leaders. The first day of the observance, Monday, February 7th will include planned activities for registered Turner Alumni.
On Tuesday, February 8th, a morning and afternoon forum with keynote lecturer, the Reverend Dr. Jonathan Augustine, senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church (Durham, NC) will be presented. He will deliver a two-part biblical discussion focused on the theme for this year “Prophetic Problem-Solvers: Leadership and The Politics of the Pulpit.” Later that evening, at 6 pm on Tuesday, the focus will turn to the seminary’s Eighth Annual Turner Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Service. Bishop Reginald Jackson, Board of Trustees Chair; Dr. Davis, the new TTS President-Dean; along with Dr. Susan Buckson, the Hall of Fame Committee Chair, will introduce and present the 23 alumni to be honored with the school’s prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame Award and four esteemed Connectional Leaders. Bishop Anne Henning Byfield, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, and AME General Secretary Dr. Jeffery Cooper will each receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Bishop Henning Byfield will also deliver the Hall of Fame address that evening.
Early registration is recommended to join in the exciting history-making observance for Turner Theological Seminary. All are also invited to purchase a celebratory ad to welcome and support the new President-Dean Davis and the Hall of Fame honorees. Those desiring to appear in the 2022 Souvenir Booklet may visit the Turner website at www.turnerseminary.org or call 404-527-0080. | 
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