MACON – Mercer University Provost Dr. D. Scott Davis has announced the appointment of Dr. Jeffrey A. Waldrop, currently associate provost and director of the David Allan Hubbard Library at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, as dean of the University Library at Mercer, effective July 1, 2019.
“Our search committee, led by Dr. Anita Gustafson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, did an excellent job in bringing forward a strong candidate to lead the University Library,” Dr. Davis said. “Dr. Waldrop has an excellent track record as a scholar and as a library administrator, and he embraces Mercer’s mission. I believe he will reinforce the University’s tradition of superior library and research support for students, faculty and other library patrons on the Macon and Atlanta campuses and the regional academic centers.”
Dr. Waldrop has held various leadership positions at Fuller’s library since 2007, and has been director since 2015. He also serves as assistant professor of church history at Fuller. Prior to joining Fuller, he served as library circulation supervisor at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Library in Mill Valley, California.
“It is my privilege and honor to join the Mercer community and to assume leadership of the Mercer University Library. In my conversations with faculty, staff, and administrators in both the library and Mercer at large, I have been impressed with the level of professionalism, enthusiasm, and commitment to Mercer’s present and future,” Dr. Waldrop said. “As an historian, I am fascinated by Mercer’s rich and distinguished legacy, and am inspired by the progress toward its stated goals and mission. As a librarian, I have been encouraged through my meetings with library personnel, and in my observations of its operations and accomplishments, and am excited about leading the team in its continued tradition of innovation and service.”
Dr. Waldrop earned his Ph.D. in church history and theology from Fuller in 2012. He also holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University, Master of Theology and Master of Divinity degrees from Golden Gate Seminary, and a B.S. from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas. He has held faculty positions at Nepal Theological Academy, Colorado Christian University and Golden Gate Seminary.
A member of the nominating committee for the American Theological Library Association board of directors and the American Library Association, Dr. Waldrop has written numerous articles and essays for theological and church history publications. He also is author of the book The Emergence of Religious Toleration in 18th Century New England: Congregationalists, Baptists, and the Contribution of John Callender.
