ASHLAND, Ohio -Ashland University has named Dr. John Shultz as the president of Ashland Theological Seminary. Dr. Shultz will begin his duties as ATS president on July 1, replacing Dr. Frederick Finks, who will at that time begin serving as president of Ashland University.
Shultz has served as professor of pastoral counseling at Ashland Theological Seminary since 1981 and served as academic dean for the seminary from 1985 to 1988. He also is founder, president and CEO of Cornerstone Psychological Affiliates Inc., a Christian counseling center with offices in six northern Ohio locations.
His achievements and assignments during his years at the Seminary include serving as the seminary’s representative to the Executive Board of the Brethren Church; serving as the seminary’s representative to the National Ordination Council of the Brethren Church; and serving on five seminary committees including the Personal and Professional Committee, Sandberg Leadership Center Advisory Team, Curriculum Redesign Committee, Prayer Committee and the Centennial Celebration Committee.
Other accomplishments include teaching ministry skills to students in the areas of counseling, pastoral care and preaching; chairing the Practical Theology and Pastoral Counseling departments for 15 years; and serving as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees for nine years.
Shultz also is founder and president of JSNJS Inc., a real estate holding company located in Ashland, Ohio. Prior to joining the Seminary, he served as consultant and seminar leader for Dow Leadership Development Center at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Mich., from 1987 to 1992; interim pastor at Smithville Brethren Church from 1982 to 1983; and psychology intern at the Ohio State University Counseling and Consultation Service from 1980 to 1981.
An ordained elder in The Brethren Church, Shultz is very involved in the community, serving as a past board member of the Brethren Care Board of Directors and the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce and serving as chair of the Chamber in 2000. He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club and board chair at Five Stones Community Church.
He has a doctor of counseling psychology from Purdue University in 1980 and a master of divinity from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1975. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Ashland University in 1972. 
