Donald E. Messer
Encyclopedia
Donald E. Messer is an American
United Methodist theologian and author, and former college and seminary president. He is known for his work to combat world hunger and HIV
/AIDS
.
Messer earned a Ph.D. from Boston University
in social ethics. He was president of Dakota Wesleyan University
from 1971 to 1981, and president of Iliff School of Theology
from 1981 to 2000. He was named both President Emeritus and the Henry White Warren Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at The Iliff School of Theology. As of 2007, Messer is the Executive Director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS.
Concern for the escalating global HIV/AIDS pandemic
has prompted Messer to travel and speak in Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as to initiate a Center for the Church and Global AIDS that serves as a catalyst for Christian involvement in the major issues related to global HIV and AIDS, world hunger, and clean water. Throughout the world, the Center supports various projects of education, prevention, care and treatment, aimed at helping to create an AIDS-free and hunger-free world. Messer has also spent time and energy helping gain support for education around the world with special attention to The United Methodist Seminary in Russia.
At the 5th International Conference on AIDS India in Chennai
in 2005, he was honored by The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his humanitarian work. Among other awards received over the years, Messer was named one of America's "Ten Outstanding Young Men" in 1975 by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
United Methodist theologian and author, and former college and seminary president. He is known for his work to combat world hunger and HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
/AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
Messer earned a Ph.D. from Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
in social ethics. He was president of Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University
Dakota Wesleyan University is a four-year university located in Mitchell, South Dakota, founded in 1885, that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The student body averages slightly less than 800 students...
from 1971 to 1981, and president of Iliff School of Theology
Iliff School of Theology
Iliff School of Theology is a graduate theological school adjoining the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado.An average of 300-350 students attend the school each year in the following degree programs:* Master of Divinity...
from 1981 to 2000. He was named both President Emeritus and the Henry White Warren Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at The Iliff School of Theology. As of 2007, Messer is the Executive Director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS.
Concern for the escalating global HIV/AIDS pandemic
Pandemic
A pandemic is an epidemic of infectious disease that is spreading through human populations across a large region; for instance multiple continents, or even worldwide. A widespread endemic disease that is stable in terms of how many people are getting sick from it is not a pandemic...
has prompted Messer to travel and speak in Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as to initiate a Center for the Church and Global AIDS that serves as a catalyst for Christian involvement in the major issues related to global HIV and AIDS, world hunger, and clean water. Throughout the world, the Center supports various projects of education, prevention, care and treatment, aimed at helping to create an AIDS-free and hunger-free world. Messer has also spent time and energy helping gain support for education around the world with special attention to The United Methodist Seminary in Russia.
At the 5th International Conference on AIDS India in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
in 2005, he was honored by The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his humanitarian work. Among other awards received over the years, Messer was named one of America's "Ten Outstanding Young Men" in 1975 by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).