Ottoni-Wilhelm to Lead Academy of Homiletics

Dr. Dawn Ottoni-Wilhelm, Brightbill professor of preaching and worship, has been elected to serve on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Homiletics and in 2026 will serve as President. The professional guild of more than 200 scholars represents a wide array of denominations. Founded in 1965, the Academy of Homiletics is open to teachers and doctoral graduate students of homiletics across the world. Ottoni-Wilhelm will serve as 2nd Vice President in 2024, 1st Vice President in 2025, and President in 2026.

“I am honored to have been elected by my peers and blessed to work with them as we arrange meetings that will enrich the teaching and study of preaching,” says Ottoni-Wilhelm. “The Academy has long been committed to educational excellence and supports research to further the development of homiletical theory and practice amid ever-changing social contexts and needs. I look forward to continuing those conversations in the U.S. and as we work with homileticians across continents to study and inspire preaching about God’s justice and peace among us.”

In 2016-18 Ottoni-Wilhelm served as president of Societas Homiletica, the international association of homileticians, and has worked for many years to build bridges and further scholarship with colleagues across denominations and continents. Ottoni-Wilhelm is also the senior editor of Homiletic, the journal of the Academy of Homiletics.

Bethany President Jeff Carter says, “We are excited that Dawn has been recognized as an important  leader in the field of homiletics. At Bethany, we are blessed to benefit from her gifts as a teacher and scholar every day. We are all delighted that she can share her wisdom with this broader community of scholars.”