BANGOR, Maine — The board of trustees of Bangor Theological Seminary has named the Rev. Dr. Robert Grove-Markwood interim president pending the appointment of a permanent successor to the Rev. Dr. Kent J. Ulery. Grove-Markwood’s appointment is effective July 1.
Grove-Markwood has an extensive history with Bangor Theological Seminary, having
received both master of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees from the institution. He also served as the institution’s director of admissions from January 1985 to June 1987. For the past five years, Grove-Markwood has been a member of the seminary’s board of trustees.
“There is no better person to lead the seminary at this time in its long and distinguished
history than Bob Grove-Markwood,” said H. Lowell Brown, chairman of the board
of trustees. “As a graduate of both the master of divinity and doctorate of ministry
programs at BTS, Bob understands in a very personal way the culture and unique
history of the seminary. As a member of the ordained ministry for 29 years, he also
understands the needs of the clergy as well as the lay leadership and other spiritual
seekers whom the seminary seeks to serve.”
Grove-Markwood has chaired both the Advancement and the Information Technology
Committees during his tenure on the board. “Bob has taken a leading role in the
formation of the initiatives that he will now be asked to carry forward, which makes him
uniquely suited to meet the challenges of the presidency,” observed Brown. “That is
why Bob was the unanimous choice of the trustees.”
Grove-Markwood is the pastor of the Presque Isle Congregational Church, United
Church of Christ, where he has served since 1987 and will continue to serve in a
reduced role. “The Presque Isle church is supportive of me as I take on this new
challenge,” said Grove-Markwood. “It is a unique way for them to participate in the
church’s wider mission.”