Andy Keck Promotion
Andrew Keck has assumed a new role as Chief of Staff effective September 1.
“Andy has done exemplary work and, over time, has taken on more and more responsibilities, most well beyond his original job description and title,” said Dean Craig C. Hill. “This title recognizes the work and role that Andy is already fulfilling and further positions him to serve in a critical role, providing continuity during this time of transition in the Dean’s office. The appointment is made in consultation with and the approval of Bishop McKee, who will serve as Dean ad interim beginning in January.”
In announcing the promotion, Hill noted that the position has counterparts at other academic units within SMU (e.g., Dedman Law) and beyond. Keck will execute or oversee schoolwide work that has no clear departmental owner, such as managing accreditation relationships, institutional research, and contracts.
Keck came to Perkins four years ago to serve as Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Assistant to the Dean. Previously, he was director of library services at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He holds a master of theological studies degree from Boston University’s School of Theology and a master of library science degree from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. Before becoming director of Luther Seminary’s library in 2012, he worked for 13 years in the library at Duke University Divinity School.
Baptist House Director
T
he Rev. Annette Owen has been named full-time Coordinator of the Baptist House of Studies at Perkins School of Theology. As an ordained American Baptist minister, Owen has served in a variety of ministerial contexts and looks forward to supporting students, building relationships with ministry partners, and working to further the mission of Perkins and the Baptist House. She first came to Dallas in 2011 to serve as a Lilly Pastoral Resident at Wilshire Baptist Church. She then completed a year of CPE residency at Methodist Dallas and worked as a hospice chaplain while also co-pastoring a small church in Oak Cliff. In 2017 she returned to the Chicago area to serve as the pastor of Community Baptist Church. During that time, she took part in the Baptist Joint Committee Fellows Program and completed the Foundations of Christian Leadership program through Duke University. Having earned a Master of Divinity at the University of Chicago Divinity School and a Bachelor of Arts in English and Religion at Denison University in Ohio, Owen has always enjoyed being part of a learning community.
New Chef
Community lunches in the refectory have resumed, with the arrival of Perkins’ new Community Life Chef, David Crow. The Office of Student Life welcomed Crow in early September. He has more than 40 years of experience in the food service industry including 19 years as the Executive Chef of the Zodiac Restaurant at Neiman Marcus’s flagship store in downtown Dallas. Previously, he worked in several other venues including Barclays (Chef de Cuisine), Dani Catering (Sous Chef), Atlantic Café Too (Sous Chef), Laurel’s – Sheraton (Saucier), Sheraton Park Center (Pastry Cook), and Bistro Bagatelle (Sous Chef). David earned an Associate’s Degree in Food Service at El Centro College in the Texas Chef’s Association Apprenticeship program after earning the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Business Administration from Westminster College in Fulton, MO.