SEBTS trustee resigns

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

WAKE FOREST - A Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS) trustee resigned Oct. 11 shortly after he had questioned a proposal to name an academic building rather than a student center after Paige and Dorothy Patterson.

Richard Headrick, a trustee from Laurel, Miss., said during his resignation that he loves the school and would stay on as a member of the SEBTS Board of Visitors.

Richard Headrick, right, talks with SEBTS trustee Jim Goldston a short while after Headrick resigned.

"With or without me, the seminary's in capable hands," Headrick said after he read the letter.

When the trustees voted to accept Headrick's resignation, Akin raised his hand in opposition even though he doesn't have an official vote.

Earlier, Headrick asked trustees to reconsider the proposal to name an academic building instead of student center for the Pattersons. He said the trustees had earlier indicated their support for naming the student center for the former SEBTS president and his wife.

"We did that from the heart," Headrick said.

Headrick said God sent Patterson to the school. "He has a legacy in our faith," Headrick said.

Headrick said his heart broke when he first heard of a plan to name a building other than the student center for the Pattersons.

Akin said that earlier plans to renovate Simmons Hall into an academic building were scratched when it was decided that a new building could be built cheaper. Akin said he and Ryan Hutchinson, Southeastern's vice president for administration, flew to Texas, where Patterson is now president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, to discuss naming the new building after the couple. He said Patterson's only request was that his wife's name be included.

Mark Harris, the chairman of the SEBTS trustees, said the trustees meant to honor the Pattersons. He said he had thought that a library would be appropriate because of Patterson's emphasis on academics.

Harris said he had wondered about naming the student center for Patterson, who he jokingly said is "not exactly mister physically fit."

The motion to name the academic building for the Pattersons passed with no visible opposition.

Akin said the school has $3 million that can be used for the building, which will house the doctor of philosophy and doctor of ministry programs. Discussions with faculty members about needs for the building will start soon, he said.