The Rev. Dr. Rachel Wrenn has been named interim dean of Trinity Lutheran Seminary.
An ordained Lutheran pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Wrenn has been an assistant professor of Biblical Studies since joining the Trinity faculty in 2020.
“While the university has undergone considerable change since its founding as the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio in 1830, Rachel embodies the roots and the spirit upon which we were formed,” said Capital President Dave Kaufman.
“She will continue the Seminary’s commitment to transforming lives by forming leaders for Christ’s work in the world and encouraging a respectful and inclusive community of learners and faithful servants.”
Wrenn has served on several university committees, published multiple articles in her field, and has received numerous grants. She is a sought-after presenter who often speaks at ecclesial, pastoral, and lay church conferences. She is the co-host of the podcast “First Reading,” an Old Testament lectionary podcast for preachers and teachers of the Bible. She earned her Ph.D. in Religion from Emory University, with an emphasis in Hebrew Bible and a certificate in Religious Practices.
“I am excited to work with such a dynamic variety of students, faculty, and staff at Trinity and throughout Capital University. One of the greatest joys of working here is that we are a Lutheran ecumenical community, with both local and global commitments,” Wrenn said.
“We are deeply embedded in our Lutheran theology, history, tradition, and interpretation. At the same time, we are nourished by the gifts of our non-Lutheran faculty, students, staff, alumni, and neighbors. We use all these gifts to enhance our shared understanding of ourselves as a piece of the whole Church and to build up the communities to which God has called us.”
Wrenn takes over leadership of the Seminary upon the retirement of the Rev. Dr. Kathryn “Kit” Kleinhans, who served as dean since 2018. A national search for a permanent dean will begin under the leadership of the Rev. Steve Wachtman, a 1985 Capital graduate and former member of Capital’s Board of Trustees.