The 2023-2024 Wittenberg Series continues with Pastor Drew Tucker as the keynote speaker for the Kenneth H. Sauer Luther Symposium. With an address titled “4D Formation: Exploring Vocation in Community,” Tucker will present at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 14, in Weaver Chapel. The event is free and open to the public.
A published author and experienced leader in higher education, Tucker has a demonstrated history of increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion with a focus on religious and spiritual cultural competency. In May 2023, he accepted the call to serve as executive director of HopeWood Outdoors Lutheran Camps, where his skills in innovation, staff supervision, volunteer management, curriculum development, public speaking, theology, and adaptive leadership daily come into play. Tucker has also published 4D Formation: Exploring Vocation in Community, a book that helps readers embrace their God-given callings.
A native of Orrville, Ohio, Tucker grew up camping at current and former HopeWood sites, each of which were integral parts in his call to ministry. A strong community and social services professional, he went on to earn his Doctor of Ministry in adaptive leadership and transformational change in 2023 from the Lexington Theological Seminary in Lexington, Kentucky; a Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) homiletics and the arts in postmodernity from Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, in 2014; a Master of Divinity Theology in 2012 from the Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina; and his bachelor’s in religion and philosophy in 2009 from Ashland University, in Ashland, Ohio.
Prior to taking the position at HopeWood Outdoors Lutheran Camps, Tucker served as the university pastor and director of the Center for Faith and Learning at Capital University. As an avid teacher and learner, he has taught part time at the university, while also serving as a curriculum contributor to both the ELCA and Generation NOW Disciples.
The Kenneth H. Sauer Luther Symposium is made possible by an endowment established in honor of The Rev. Dr. Kenneth H. Sauer, Wittenberg Class of 1952, at the time of his retirement as bishop of the Southern Ohio Synod, ELCA, in 1996.
The Wittenberg Series was created in 1982 during President William A. Kinnison’s tenure. Since its inception, Nobel Laureates, scientists, significant literary figures, most of America’s foremost modern dance companies, as well as hundreds of prominent psychologists, educators, economists, writers, theologians, urban planners, and historians have visited campus to participate.
Doors open 30 minutes prior to the beginning of each lecture or performance. Below are further details related to remaining Series’ events.
Remaining 2024 Wittenberg Series Events:
- Monday, March 18, 2024: Special Concert featuring The Jon Irabagon Quartet at 7 p.m. in Weaver Chapel.
- Tuesday, April 9, 2024: Leventhal Family Lecture, 7 p.m., Bayley Auditorium, featuring Eli Saslow, currently a writer at-large for The New York Times, who was formerly with the Washington Post.
For more information on the Wittenberg Series, click here. To make special arrangements or become a friend of the Wittenberg Series, contact Katie Warber at kwarber@wittenberg.edu.
