CONTACT: Leslie Eikleberry, Director of Public Relations, 785-827-5541 ext. 1127

March 29, 2005

A noted author and scholar will be joining the Kansas Wesleyan University family this summer. The Reverend Dr. John Blackwell will become Dean of the Chapel on July 1.

“We are thrilled that John is coming to Kansas Wesleyan on a more permanent basis,” said

President Philip P. Kerstetter. “With his breadth of knowledge and experience, John will be an asset to the University in a number of areas.”

Blackwell was on campus in October 2004 to discuss his latest book, “The Noonday Demon: Recognizing and conquering the Deadly Sin of Sloth.” The book is the first in a series of books Blackwell plans to write about the Seven Deadly Sins. The next book in the series, “Pushing the Limits: Recognizing and Conquering the Deadly Sin of Pride,” is forthcoming, as is the book “A Whole New World: Poetic Transformation in the Gospel of John.” Blackwell also is the author of the book “The Passion as Story” and numerous journal articles.

Blackwell currently serves as Dean and Senior Fellow at the San Diego School of Christian Studies and as Minister of Discipleship at the First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California.