received an accreditation for five years, the longest term available at the time. This was a strong affirmation of the high academic standing of the College.
In the 1990s, Dr. MacRae led Acadia University in affiliations with two Nigerian schools. Dr. Glenn Wooden, the current Liaison to Affiliated Colleges in Nigeria, attended a UNIDICO graduation in 2008 (centre of the first row standing in light blue robe).
Principal Andrew D. MacRae (1985-1998)
A native of Scotland, Dr. Andrew D. MacRae was ordained in 1957 and called to urban ministry. He was well known as a Baptist pastor, preacher, leader and evangelist, and in 1966 was appointed General Secretary and Superintendent of the Baptist Union of Scotland. Dr. MacRae served extensively in Europe and the Soviet Bloc, working with the Baptist World Alliance and preaching, teaching and leading conferences in more than 50 countries on every continent. In recognition of his work, he received a Doctor of Divinity from the Campbellsville University in 1979. In 1979, Dr. MacRae received an invitation from Acadia Divinity College to establish the first Chair of Evangelism and Mission in Canada. Between 1980 and 1985, he served as Professor of Evangelism and Mission. He then served as Principal and Dean of Theology at the College from 1985 to 1998. During his time in Canada, Dr. MacRae earned his Doctor of 14 ADC Today
Philosophy from St. Andrews University in 1984 and received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Acadia University in 2004. In retirement, he served as Director of Doctoral Studies, the Sheldon and Marjorie Fountain Professor Emeritus of Evangelism and Mission, and Liaison for Hong Kong Ministries. In honour of his valuable leadership and in recognition of his global impact and lifelong commitment to evangelism and mission, the Andrew D. MacRae Centre for Christian Faith and Culture was established in 2016.
Notable Milestones In 1985, the College was finishing its two-year probationary membership with Association of Theological Schools in United States and Canada (ATS). Within months of Dr. MacRae becoming Principal, an examining team from ATS reviewed the status and the College
Dr. Langley (seated) with (left to right) Drs. Cherry, Mitton, and MacRae.
In 1989, the Doctor of Ministry program was established. It broadened the ministry and helped to meet the challenge of balancing scholarly achievement with the College’s primary purpose of preparing people for ministry. For more than 150 years, Acadia University was the centre of the study of Baptist history in the Maritimes. In 1991, the Acadia Centre for Baptist and Anabaptist Studies was launched under the sponsorship of the College and in cooperation with the University Library. The Acadia University Senate approved the offering of the Master of Divinity with one of four specializations: Pastoral Ministry, Pastoral Counselling, Christian Education, and Youth Ministry. Dr. MacRae helped lead Acadia University into a new concept of an expanded international reach through affiliations with schools in Nigeria (Christ International Divinity College in 1990 and Universal Gospel Divinity College in 1994) and Hong Kong (Bethel Bible Seminary in 1997). Perhaps Dr. MacRae’s most significant contribution to the long-term future of the College was introducing the Living Legacy Campaign, a capital fundraising project whose major component was the enhancement of the endowment for student bursaries and scholarships. The funds raised also supported the development of funds for endowed chairs, library enrichment, and building expansion. By 1997, the Campaign raised more than $3 million. When Dr. MacRae retired in 1998, Dr. Timothy Ashley, Chair of Faculty, served for a year as Acting Principal and