Terry School recognizes Richard Ross for 25 years at Southwestern

The Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries continued its mission to recognize faculty who have served for 20 or more years by unveiling a portrait of Richard Ross on Sept. 10.

“He is loved and so highly esteemed across this campus, made a difference in the lives of colleagues, faculty and staff, but untold number of students,” President David S. Dockery said during the event on the second floor of Price Hall where the portraits are located.

Ross, senior professor student ministry at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, was first connected with the seminary at birth in 1950 while his father was a student. Ross would also attend Southwestern, graduating with both a Master of Arts in Religious Education in 1974 and a Doctor of Education in 1980. After serving at a Tennessee church and as a youth consultant with Lifeway, he returned as a faculty member in 2000.

“I don’t think I’m speaking hyperbolically when I say that Richard Ross is a legend in our tribe. At Southwestern, certainly, in the SBC, absolutely, in Christendom, for sure,” said Chris Shirley, dean of the Terry School. “… We have seen the example of a world class scholar and author who has put student ministry on the ecclesiastical map. We have seen his love for teenagers expressed by a lifetime of service to the church of Jesus Christ. We have, or had, the privilege of working alongside a man whose gargantuan love for Jesus is what becomes him most.”

“It has been a grand and glorious journey,” Ross said, adding he plans to continue working at the seminary in whatever role God would call him to, saying he watches the work done by Jack Terry, his role model and namesake of the school who also serves as a senior professor. “This is not a place to just work for me; it never has been. I love this school. I speak affectionately about this school everywhere I go, and I believe in its place to impact not only the U.S., to impact the world. We have student ministry students today in other countries that are leading student ministry for entire nations. They’ve got a foundation here.”

Current and prior faculty were in attendance as well as members of the Ross family, including his brother, wife LaJuana, and son Clayton, who is a current student at Southwestern.

“It’s all for Him,” Ross said of his years of service and the work being done at Southwestern. “It’s all for His name. It’s all for His glory.”