Honorary Degree Recipients
David M. Rhoads received honorary doctorate of divinity
David M. Rhoads, professor of New Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, delivered the baccalaureate sermon, and received an honorary doctorate of divinity.
Mr. Rhoads was a professor of religion at Carthage from 1973 to 1988, and was named the College's Distinguished Teacher for the 1974-75 school year. Ordained in 1968, Mr. Rhoads was pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Asheboro, N.C., before joining Carthage. He moved to the seminary in 1988.
Widely published, Mr. Rhoads is the author of several books including, "Mark as Story: An Introduction to the Narrative of a Gospel" (Fortress Press 1999, revised edition with Joanna Dewey and Donald Michie), and "The Challenge of Diversity: The Witness of Paul and the Gospels" (Fortress 1996). In 1999, he edited with Kari Syreeni the book, "Characterization in the Gospels: Rethinking Narrative Criticism" (Sheffield Academic Press). In 2004, he published a collection of his essays, "Reading Mark, Engaging the Gospel." In 2006, he edited "From Every People and Nation: The Book of Revelation in Intercultural Perspective," a collection of essays by scholars from many different geographical locations and perspectives.
An enthusiastic environmentalist, Mr. Rhoads is advisor to the seminary's Green Zone Committee. He has planned eco-conferences, edited guidebooks for parishes, and helped initiate The Web of Creation, an online environmental service for congregations. He directs the Green Congregation Program, which works primarily with clusters of congregations in some Midwest synods of the ELCA. In 2007, he edited a collection of sermons by 36 different theologians and preachers: "Earth and Word: Classic Sermons on Saving the Planet" (Continuum). Mr. Rhoads also recently wrote "The Green Congregation Training Manual," and with David Glover, "An Environmental Guide for Churches, Their Buildings and Grounds."
Mr. Rhoads received the bachelor of arts degree from Gettysburg College, and the bachelor of divinity degree from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. His master of arts degree was bestowed by Oxford University, and the doctor of philosophy degree by Duke University.
Mr. Rhoads recently received the Fortress Press Teacher of the Year Award for Innovative Teaching in a Graduate Setting (2004) and was named Distinguished Alumnus by Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary (2005).
He is married to the Rev. Sandra Roberts, who served as assistant to the bishop of the ELCA's Greater Milwaukee Synod. They live in Racine, Wis. He has two children, five grandchildren and a great-grandchild.
Erno Dahl received honorary doctorate of education
Erno Dahl, the 16th president of Carthage College, received an honorary doctorate of education. He served as president of the College from 1977 to 1986, the fourth-longest tenure in Carthage's 162 years.
Mr. Dahl dedicated his efforts to strengthening ties with the community and church. He was known for his fundraising abilities and his close relationships with trustees and donors.
During Mr. Dahl's presidency, the College's endowment more than doubled, and Carthage's first endowed chair, the Rogers Palmer Chair of Business Administration, was established. He also served as president of the Council of Lutheran Church in America Colleges, and vice president of the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.
In a 1977 interview, Mr. Dahl declared that "small colleges like Carthage have much to offer simply because they are 'small.' We also need a certain kind of distinction as a small college. Fortunately, we have this at Carthage in our church-relatedness and in our liberal arts program."
Born in 1928 in Waco, Texas, Mr. Dahl served in the United States Marine Corps, then earned a bachelor of arts degree in 1952 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, majoring in classical languages and English. Mr. Dahl received a bachelor of theology degree in 1955 from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. In 1957, he added his Ph.D. from the University of Durham in England, with studies in British religious thought. He undertook additional graduate studies at the University of Oslo and the University of Minnesota. He was ordained a minister by the American Lutheran Church in 1960.
From 1957 to 1968, Mr. Dahl was on the faculty of Texas Lutheran College, becoming Dean of the College in 1964. In 1968, he moved to Wittenberg University in Ohio, where he served as Vice President for Academic Affairs until 1976.
Since his tenure at Carthage, Mr. Dahl has served as pastor of Lutheran congregations in Texas on an interim basis, and was an ambassador for Lutheran Social Services in the ELCA Southwest Texas Synod. He also has volunteered for church-related social service organizations.
Mr. Dahl has been married to the former Suzanne L. Preus for 53 years. They live in San Antonio, and have two adult sons, Jeremy and Jeffrey, and five grandchildren.