A Rare Academician: Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Dale P. Andrews
This June 23 marks two years since the passing of Dr. Dale P. Andrews. Dr. Andrews was the Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor of Homiletics and Pastoral Theology at BU School of Theology from 2005-2010, and was the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair and Distinguished Professor of Homiletics, Social Justice, and Practical Theology at Vanderbilt Divinity School at the time of his death. He was beloved by colleagues and students alike, and he helped shape BU School of Theology as it is today. In this post, Practical Theology doctoral candidate Rev. Jackie Blue reflects on meeting Dr. Andrews and the gift of his mentorship.
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A Rare Academician: Reflecting on the Legacy of Dr. Dale P. Andrews
by Rev. Jackie Blue
My introduction to Dr. Dale P. Andrews was somewhat humorous.
On what I can only describe as a “normal” workday in small-town, USA, the phone rang. My assumption was one of the managers from the field had yet another wage and hour issue to work through (I was in the middle of a significant wage and hour project). Therefore, I gathered my thoughts, took a deep breath, answered the phone, and waited for the story (because there was always a story). However, instead of a story, a voice crying out from the deep said, this is Dale P. Andrews (obviously, I was supposed to know DPA). Unphased, I responded (in my pleasant, but “please make this a short story” voice), “How may I help you, Dale P. Andrews?” Of course, he laughed (acknowledging while correcting my tonality)! What I did not know then was the power of those four simple words. Not only did they open a door for me, more importantly, they also created an avenue upon which we journeyed as friends, however, briefly.
Dr. Dale P. Andrews was a rare academician. He was a man who knew himself and was unapologetic about it. He accepted himself in a way that allowed him to transcend the contradictory places and spaced he often lived and worked. Dr. Andrews was a man known not to waste any of life experiences. As such, he prided himself on using his life experiences as teaching tools for the betterment of all people. Sometimes the lessons were like tough medicine. However, when those times occurred, he was right there, walking you through to a place of healing. Although highly accomplished, Dr. A, never allowed his credentials to become a buffer between him and others. For him, being present was of the utmost importance.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to work for Dr. A as a research and teaching assistant. To witness his level of professionalism and glean from his knowledge was in itself a classroom. However, for me, the coffee and cake breaks were both formative and informative. During those times we were able to freely converse about a wide range of topics; some serious, some not. We were able to challenge one another while respecting one another, take the down walls while acknowledging their presence, and be our most authentic selves even as our other personas lay only arms lengths away.
Dr. Andrews was a preacher, teacher, advocate, counselor, host, scholar, leader, mentor, husband, father, colleague, and author. However, to me, he was my friend.
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Dale Andrews was a teacher, minister and social justice activist, as well as a renowned scholar in practical theology and preaching. The Dale P. Andrews Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to provide scholarships for students working on issues of practical theology and race. The goal is to endow this scholarship at $100,000. Endowing this scholarship will ensure that his legacy lives on at STH.