Dr. Jerry Campbell '68

It is a long journey from the little town of Matador, Texas to being the President of Claremont School of Theology in California. While on that journey, Dr. Jerry Campbell '68 credits his education at McMurry as being vital to that success. “McMurry introduced me to professors who helped me get serious about theological studies.” During his four years on McMurry’s campus he credits many former professors like Dr. Robert Monk, Dr. George Coats and Dr. Walter Hofheinz for being a strong foundation in the formation of his career.

After ten years as a chief administrator of the Information Services division at the University of Southern California, Campbell was named President of Claremont, a United Methodist School of Theology on March 23, 2006.

Dr. Campbell holds a Ph. D. from the University of Denver and a Masters of Divinity from Duke Divinity School and a Masters of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina. As his academic and professional journey culminated at Claremont, Campbell still credits McMurry for being a special part of that process. “The religion professors at McMurry were able to interest me in the critical study of theology and biblical criticism which eventually led me to focus my doctoral dissertation on the history of biblical criticism in America.”

As a youth raised on a farm in Matador, Campbell came to an understanding that he was being called into the ministry. Influenced by his local pastor, he decided to attend McMurry. “I came to McMurry at a time where they had a wonderful generation of staff that became very influential for me.” Now as the President of Claremont, Campbell is eager in his role to help address the issues that face the Church. “One of the challenges that I face is to help a school of theology carry out its job in how to address the declining membership of the church. It is our intent to help equip our students in order to help the church carry out its ministry.”