New Seminary President Named
Princeton Theological Seminary has announce that the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Lee Walton has been elected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the Seminary’s eighth president, effective January 1, 2023. Walton will succeed President M. Craig Barnes, who has served as Princeton Seminary’s president since 2013.
Walton comes to Princeton Seminary from Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he has served as the dean since 2019. Prior to joining Wake Forest University, he served on the faculty at Harvard Divinity School and was a professor of Christian morals and the minister in the Memorial Church of Harvard University.
“Theological education is at an inflection point,” Walton said in a statement. “The church is changing. Society is changing. So we need clear-minded, faith-informed professionals who can speak hope, equity, and healing in all fields of human endeavor.”
“Dr. Walton’s profound commitment to scholarship and strong leadership experience perfectly position him to advance Princeton Seminary’s mission to serve as a vital and engaging hub for pastoral formation, Christian theology, and leadership generally,” said Michael Fisch, chair of the Board of Trustees.
Walton is trained as a social ethicist whose scholarship focuses on the intersection of evangelical Christianity, mass media, and political culture. He is the author of two books: “Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of Black Televangelism” (NYU Press, 2009) and “A Lens of Love: Reading the Bible in Its World for Our World” (Westminster John Knox Press, 2018). He has published widely across various academic journals, books, magazines, and newspapers. His insights have been featured in the New York Times, CNN, Time Magazine, and PBS.
Dr. Walton earned his PhD in 2006 and his MDiv in 2002 from Princeton Seminary, and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College in 1996. He is an ordained Baptist minister and a gifted preacher who has continued to serve both his alma maters. He is a member of the Humanities Advancement Council at Morehouse College and has served on the Board of Trustees at Princeton Seminary.
“This feels like a glorious homecoming showered with grace. For over two decades, Princeton Seminary and the precious people that I’ve been blessed to know have enriched my intellectual and spiritual life,” Walton said.
More information at the Princeton Seminary website, ptsem.edu.
Mercadien Picks Partners
The Mercadien Group, an accounting and advisory services firm, reports a range of promotions within the firm’s corporate leadership team, as well as three new partners — Bjondina Karpuzi, Holly Sabo and Eric Whelan — who will serve as Mercaiden managing directors and principles in Mercadien, P.C., CPAs.
Karpuzi, PSA, is a Marlton resident and member of the firm’s Private Company and Advisory Services who has been with Mercadien since 2008.
Sabo, PFS, MST, CGMA, is a Hamilton resident and member of the firm’s Individual and Family Office Services Group who has been with Mercadien since 1998.
Whelan, MST, CGMA, is a Forked River resident and member of the firm’s Private Company Services Group who has been with Mercadien since 1996.
Two professionals were promoted to the level of director: Benjamin McDannell, CPA, a member of the Nonprofit and Human Services Group and Private Company Services Group and resident of Morrisville, PA; and Raphael J. Carletti, CPA, a member of the Nonprofit and Human Services Group and resident of Burlington.
Three associates were promoted to manager: Miroslava Juscakova, MBA, CAMS, a member of the Financial Institutions Services Group and resident of Whippany; and Christina Richardson, CAMS, also a member of the Financial Institutions Services Group and resident of Hackettstown. Ashley Webb, a member of the firm’s Operations Team and resident of Voorhees, was promoted to Marketing Manager.
An additional 19 professionals in various practice areas of the firm also were promoted.
More information at the Mercadien Group’s website, mercadien.com.
