Lowin Named Executive Director of WBU – San Antonio

JONATHAN PETTY 13 JUNE 2022

SAN ANTONIO – The Wayland Baptist University administration selected a familiar face as the new Executive Director of the San Antonio campus. Dr. Clinton Lowin graduated from Wayland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and psychology in 1996 and previously served the university as Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy, now called the School of Christian Studies, from 2016-18.

Dr. Lowin is taking over for Dr. James Antenen who is retiring at the end of June after 20 years as executive director in San Antonio.

“I am overjoyed to rejoin the Wayland family to serve in this capacity,” Lowin said. “This is a splendid opportunity to build upon Dr. Antenen’s leadership over the past 20 years.”

WBU Vice President for External Campuses Dr. David Bishop said Lowin’s experience and understanding of Wayland will be vital to the continued growth of the university.

“His past service to WBU gives him an understanding of the systems and processes that a person coming in as a total outsider does not have,” Bishop said. “And his recent experience serving the U.S. military gives him experience that is essential at our San Antonio campus as it serves multiple service branches in the San Antonio area.”

Lowin left Wayland in 2018, taking a job as the director of religious education for the Department of Defense as a civilian stationed in Germany. He worked with the US Army Chaplain Corps Religious Support Office to provide religious services to soldiers, families, DoD civilians and contractors.

Lowin’s academic and administrative background makes him a good fit in San Antonio. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth in 2000 and an Ed.D. in Leadership and Higher Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ken., in 2009. He was hired as the director of the ministry guidance program and director of assessment and effectiveness in Wayland’s School of Religion and Philosophy in 2011. He served as interim and associate dean in the school prior to being named dean in 2016. At Wayland, he developed and implemented the KALEO youth leadership program and served as the interim director of the Kenya campus.

In San Antonio, Lowin plans to use a revitalization framework to enhance current operations. His plans include investing in Wayland’s employees, training and empowering them to better serve the community.

“My hope is that when the needs of our faculty and staff are met, they can better serve our students,” Lowin said. “I believe if we invest in our people and deeply care for them, then they can reach their full potential and perform at their best.”

Lowin said the goal is to grow as a university in San Antonio and the other areas served by Wayland.

“We want to have a broader and deeper impact in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley,” he said. “In addition, we would love to expand our reach into Austin. These areas have tremendous untapped potential.”

Lowin is already on campus, working through the transition process with Dr. Antenen.

PLAINVIEW, TX (KCBD) - As Wayland Baptist University begins summer preparation for the 2016-17 academic year, three new deans will lead their schools.

Dr. Peter Bowen will take over as Dean of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Dr. Clinton Lowin has been named Dean of the School of Religion and Philosophy and Dr. Gene Whitfill will fill the position of Dean of the School of Education.

The appointments will take effect July 1. Their responsibilities will include oversight of academics at all of Wayland campus locations.

Dr. Bowen is replacing Dr. Estelle Owens, who has retired after 41 years of teaching at Wayland. Dr. Bowen, professor of psychology, has been at Wayland since 1994. He earned a bachelor's degree at Hardin-Simmons in 1988 then attended the University of Rochester where he earned a master's degree in 1991 and completed his Ph.D. in 1996. Bowen has served as the associate dean of the school since 2013.

Dr. Lowin and Dr. Whitfill will take over the administrative duties from Dr. Paul Sadler and Dr. Jim Todd, respectively. Dr. Sadler and Dr. Todd will remain in faculty positions, focusing more on classroom instruction and other areas of responsibility.

Dr. Lowin, associate professor of religion, has been teaching at Wayland since 2011. A Wayland graduate, Dr. Lowin earned his bachelor's degree in 1996. He then went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he completed his Master of Divinity degree in 2000. Lowin earned his doctorate from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2009. He has served as the Associate Dean in the School of Religion and Philosophy since September of 2015.

Dr. Whitfill has served as Associate Dean in the School of Education for the past five years. Whitfill, an associate professor of education, has been at Wayland since 2009. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wayland in 1974 and his doctorate from Texas Tech in 2007.

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