Dr. Charles M. Ramsey Selected as University Chaplain & Dean of Spiritual Life

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Following a nationwide search, Charles M. Ramsey, Ph.D., B.A. ’97, M.A. ’00, associate University Chaplain and director of campus ministries and church connections at Baylor University, has been selected as University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, effective June 9. The announcement was made today by Sharra Hynes, Ph.D., senior associate vice president and Dean of Students and incoming vice president for student life at Baylor. Ramsey will succeed Burt Burleson, D.Min., who retired in May.

As University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, Ramsey will lead and nurture the spiritual and holistic development of the Baylor community while creating a vibrant, caring and supportive environment that reflects the University's Christian mission and historic Baptist roots. He will provide visionary leadership for Baylor’s spiritually formative signature ministries, including Chapel programs, pastoral care, global and local missions, campus ministries, local church engagement and guidance to sports and nursing school ministries. Ramsey also will work closely with Baylor leadership as the University seeks to develop partnerships and alliances that are faithful to the institution’s longstanding Pro Ecclesia (For the Church), Pro Texana (For Texas), Pro Mundo (For the World) motto.

“Dr. Ramsey’s appointment underscores Baylor’s historic Baptist roots and our longstanding partnership with the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT),” Hynes said. “Through extensive relationships with local churches in Waco and campus ministries, and a keen understanding of the global Church, Dr. Ramsey brings both denominational depth and a global vision to Spiritual Life at Baylor.”

“I am deeply humbled and profoundly honored to be entrusted with the sacred task of serving as Baylor University's chaplain,” Ramsey said. “Baylor is a vibrant community committed to the spiritual formation of all students, faculty and staff, and I am delighted to listen, to learn and to walk alongside individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs as we navigate life's questions, challenges and celebrations as a people united by the University’s mission. My prayer is that we will walk in the light of Christ and be known for the way we love and serve others.”

Ramsey’s ministry and academic career spans more than two decades, and it includes global mission leadership, interfaith scholarship and faculty appointments in the U.S. and South Asia. He brings a depth of experience in pastoral care, spiritual formation and cross-cultural engagement and continues to shape faith-based communities through teaching, mentoring and leadership.

Since 2021, Ramsey has served as associate University Chaplain and director of campus ministries and church connections, where he nurtured the spiritual and missional life among students in more than 40 campus ministries and the broad range of churches represented in the Baylor community. From 2017 to 2021, he was director of Baptist Student Ministries at Baylor, providing pastoral services to the community of ministers and student leaders and fostering a faith formative environment that ranged from chapels and mission trips to programs and campus-wide events like the National Collegiate Day of Prayer.

A two-time Baylor graduate, Ramsey earned his B.A. as a University Scholar in 1997 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He continued at Baylor, earning his M.A. in the History of Religions, in 2000. He also holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Birmingham (UK), with additional graduate work in religion, history and poverty reduction from the University of London, Fuller Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ramsey was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 2000 at Staples Mill Road Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, and was reaffirmed in 2017 at Highland Baptist Church in Waco. 

“I am delighted that after an extensive search and interview process Charles ‘Charley’ Ramsey has been named University Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life,” said search committee member Todd D. Still, Ph.D., The Charles J. and Eleanor McLerran DeLancey Dean of Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary and The William M. Hinson Chair of Christian Scriptures. “Since Charley returned from the mission field to serve at his alma mater, he has done so joyfully, intentionally, collaboratively and effectively. A person of immense erudition, considerable accomplishment, personal devotion and genuine goodwill, he embodies and extends Baylor’s motto – Pro Ecclesia. Pro Texana. Pro Mundo. Baylor and the Office of Spiritual Life will go from strength to strength with Dr. Ramsey serving in this significant and strategic role.”

Hynes also thanked the search committee for their valuable time and commitment to University Chaplain search process: Dr. Kevin P. Jackson (Chair); Dr. Kevin Dougherty (Sociology); Dr. Mandy McMichael (Religion); Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz (Chapel, Spiritual Life); Dr. Malcolm Foley (President’s Council); Dr. Todd D. Still (Truett Seminary); and Dr. Elisabeth Rain Kincaid, Institute for Faith and Learning.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.