Dean David Watson Accepts Leadership Position at Asbury Theological Seminary
Dr. David Watson, United’s senior vice president and academic dean, to become president of Asbury Theological Seminary
DAYTON, Ohio, March 22, 2025 — Dr. David Watson, Senior Vice President of United and Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, has accepted a position as president at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. He will begin his new role on July 1, and United will appoint an interim dean.
Dr. Watson joined United’s faculty in 2006 and over the past 19 years has contributed greatly to the seminary and the success of its students through his leadership. During his time at United, he has held multiple positions that shaped the seminary’s academic programming: Associate Dean for Program Development, Associate Dean for Master’s Studies, and his current roles as Professor of New Testament, Academic Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Senior Vice President.
Through United’s Contextual Ministries program, Dr. Watson has led yearly immersion trips to Cuba, which have been profoundly impactful to his own spiritual life as well as to the students participating in the trips. He has also taught in Vietnam, Cuba, Kenya, and other contexts.
“As Dean, Dr. Watson has shown great trust in his faculty colleagues and is eager to offer them whatever support they need to do their job well,” says Dr. Justus Hunter, Associate Professor of Church History and Director of the Doctor of Theology Program. “David is always available to offer guidance, and shows up when needed, both professionally and personally. Remarkably, despite his substantial responsibilities to both United and the church, he has sustained an active intellectual life through continuous reading, writing, teaching, and editing. It is hard to exaggerate how important he has been to our faculty. We wish him well, and he will be sorely missed.”
In addition to his contributions at United, Dr. Watson is actively engaged in the life of the church and in Christian discourse. He served ten years on the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and was a member of the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church. He is founding lead editor of Firebrand Magazine, established in 2020, and has written publications on topics such as biblical interpretation, Wesleyan theology, and ministry with people with disabilities, including Scripture and the Life of God: Why the Bible Matters Today More Than Ever (Seedbed, 2017), Key United Methodist Beliefs, with William J. Abraham (Abingdon, March 2013), Wesley, Wesleyans, and Reading Bible as Scripture, with Joel B. Green, ed. (Baylor University Press, 2012), and Honor Among Christians: The Cultural Key to the Messianic Secret (Fortress, 2010).
Harriet Watson, wife of Dr. Watson, will also be leaving her position as Director of Development and Alumni/ae Relations at United. Under her leadership in this role, United established a partnership with The Shepherd’s Fund that provides financial assistance to retired and disabled alumni/ae.
“United Theological Seminary will be forever in debt to Dr. David Watson for his 19 years of exceptional service,” says Dr. Kent Millard, president of United. “Under Dr. Watson’s inspiring leadership, United has brought together a superb faculty to teach our historic Christian faith, encourage scriptural holiness, and promote Holy Spirit–inspired church renewal. Harriet Watson has also made an outstanding impact in her work with alumni/ae and donors. We thank God for bringing David and Harriet Watson to United as Christ-Centered leaders and cherished friends. We will pray for God’s blessing on them as Dr. Watson answers God’s call to serve as president of one of the largest and most influential seminaries in the United States, Asbury Theological Seminary.”