Rev. Dr. Emlyn A. Ott Receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
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Bexley Seabury Seminary Celebrates Esteemed Faculty Member’s Recognition in Specialized Ministry
Chicago, IL, March 13, 2024 — Bexley Seabury Seminary proudly announces that Rev. Dr. Emlyn A. Ott, Associate Professor and Director of Doctor of Ministry Programs, has been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). Dr. Ott is being honored with the Specialized Ministry Award, a testament to her decades of transformative leadership in theological education, pastoral care, and congregational resilience.
Ordained in 1986, Dr. Ott served for over 20 years as pastor of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she cultivated interfaith and community-based initiatives including a counseling center, youth programming, and support services for families. Her gifts in organizational leadership led her to become the Executive Director and CEO of Healthy Congregations, Inc., where she has equipped clergy and lay leaders to navigate change and sustain mission-focused ministry.
At Bexley Seabury Seminary, Dr. Ott leads the Doctor of Ministry programs and teaches courses that integrate theology, pastoral practice, and leadership. She is widely recognized for her ability to help faith communities navigate uncertainty while staying rooted in purpose and hope.
Dr. Ott is a graduate of the College of Wooster, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), and Phillips Theological Seminary, where she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree. She also studied extensively at the University of Chicago as part of a joint program with LSTC, completing significant coursework that shaped her academic and theological formation.
Dr. Ott lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her spouse, Dr. Robert Ward, Director of Choral Activities at The Ohio State University.
The LSTC Distinguished Alumni Awards honor graduates whose service reflects outstanding leadership, innovation, and dedication to the church and world. Dr. Ott's recognition affirms her ongoing contributions to shaping theological education and empowering leaders for ministry that is resilient, inclusive, and deeply rooted in community.
About Bexley Seabury Seminary
Bexley Seabury is a nonresidential seminary with offices based in Chicago, Illinois, serving a nationwide community of students, faculty, and staff. Dedicated to providing innovative and accessible theological education, the seminary offers nonresidential programs grounded in a rich spiritual and intellectual tradition. It aims to empower both lay and ordained leaders by fostering a culture of rigorous exploration and active engagement with the Gospel. Supporting participation in both congregational and broader community contexts, Bexley Seabury meets students where they are, embodying its identity as ‘the seminary beyond walls.’
For more information about Bexley Seabury’s programs, please visit www.bexleyseabury.edu.