Dr. Charles Perabeau ’94 named Dean of the School of Theology & Christian Ministry

Olivet announces appointment of long-time faculty member.

December 13, 2021 Academics

The Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Stephen Lowe, recently announced the appointment of Dr. Charles Perabeau ’94 as the new dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry (STCM), effective May 2022, with a period of transition beginning in January.

Dr. Perabeau holds a Ph.D. and an M.Phil. in Religion and Society from Drew University, an M.A. in Theology from Loyola University in Chicago, and a B.A. from Olivet in Religion & Philosophy and Romance Languages. At Drew University, an institution widely recognized for its emphasis on Wesleyan Methodist studies, Dr. Perabeau completed a dissertation entitled, “The Church of the Nazarene in the U.S.: Race, Gender, and Class in the Struggle with Pentecostalism and Aspirations Toward Respectability, 1895-1985.” He has delivered presentations at a range of academic conferences, including the Wesleyan Philosophical Society and the Wesleyan Theological Society.

Dr. Perabeau has extensive faculty experience at Drew Theological Seminary, Asbury Theological Seminary, and for the past sixteen years, at Olivet as a professor of Sociology, where he also served as chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences and taught in the University’s Honors Program and Ed.D. program. He is fluent in Spanish, has a passion for international missions, and has led a number of student trips to Latin America.

As an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, he pastored the Chicago Northside Church of the Nazarene for eight years, and most recently served as secretary of the board for College Church of the Nazarene, University Avenue.

Dr. Lowe said of the appointment, “I have come to know Charles as a strong, steady, measured leader, who reaches decisions with collaboration, humility, and empathy for others. He will make an excellent addition to our deans’ cabinet, and I am deeply gratified that he has accepted this challenging appointment at such an important time in the life of the University.”

For more information about the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.

Published 12/13/2021
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