Our Big News About Guilford College
This was recently posted to Guilford College’s website:
C. Wess Daniels has been named the William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies, succeeding Max Carter, who will retire this summer after 25 years at Guilford.
Wess has been a full-time Quaker minister, educator, researcher and public theologian, and has been working toward cultivating renewal among all branches of the Religious Society of Friends. For the past 5½ years, he has served as Quaker pastor at Camas (Wash.) Friends church, a programmed meeting in the Northwest Yearly Meeting.
As a doctoral student at Fuller Theological Seminary in California, his area of research was renewal of the Quaker tradition within contemporary context. He created a model of renewal for use by Quakers and all faith traditions and, in July 2014, received his Ph.D. from Fuller’s School of Intercultural Studies.
“With his skills and experience and a commitment to Quaker renewal and participatory culture, it is my strong belief that Wess is the right person at the right time to fill the leadership role as our William R. Rogers Director of Friends Center and Quaker Studies,” said President Jane K. Fernandes. “I am very pleased that we have reached a successful conclusion to the search for this essential position helping to assure that the Quaker ethos remains a vital force on campus.”
It is with great excitement and a deep sense of humility and call that I have accepted this position. Emily, the kids and I are also very very sad to be leaving Camas Friends Church, a community we deeply love and have poured our hearts out for over these past 6 years. They will also be embedded within our spiritual DNAs, our memories, and life narratives. Without Camas Friends, I would not be who I am today. They have been good teachers, co-laborers and dear Friends.
I found the Friends Center and Guilford College to be world-class. I’m convinced that the work they are doing there is not only important but is at its core renewal work. I believe that the students and staff there will continue to have an impact in and beyond the Quaker world and I am so excited to have an opportunity to work alongside people there. I look forward to the many challenges and learning opportunities there and hope that I can make a meaningful contribution to the life of the community there.
The outpouring of love and support on Facebook has been overwhelming and not anything like what I would have expected. Now my attention turns to leaving Camas Friends as well as I can and helping them and my own family transition. Prayers for grace, patience, and God’s guidance for all.