McCullough resigns as seminary president

After six years as president of San Francisco Theological Seminary, Donald W. McCullough resigned May 1 after admitting to "inappropriate conduct" while he was pastor of Solana Beach Presbyterian Church near San Diego prior to coming to the seminary. The seminary's board of trustees voted to accept his resignation "with deep regret."

On May 5 the Permanent Judicial Commission of San Francisco Presbytery found McCullough guilty of two counts of sexual abuse--one while he was pastor of Solana Beach, and one between the time he was elected president of SFTS in May 1994 and his installation in October of that year. According to the presbytery, the charges all involved adult women. The presbytery commission's hearing to determine McCullough's punishment is scheduled for May 22.

The board of trustees issued a terse statement thanking McCullough "with great appreciation for his six years of exemplary service to SFTS." Seminary trustee Everett Marley said, "The board determined, with Donald, that it was no longer possible for him to continue as president." Marley added that McCullough will stay in office for four weeks to assist with the transition, "but he will not serve in any public capacities, including commencement."

As a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary--west coast rival of SFTS--McCullough's election as president six years ago was met with considerable skepticism in some quarters of the seminary community, particularly among its alumni. But McCullough quickly earned praise as a passionate, articulate advocate for SFTS, and presided over the first successful capital campaign in the seminary's history. An $11.5 million campaign to repair the earthquake-ravaged historic buildings on the hilltop of the seminary campus was quickly oversubscribed, and the landmark stone buildings--Scott and Montgomery halls--were reoccupied this spring after being unused for 12 years. A search committee has been formed to find McCullough's Successor.

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