(PressZoom) - The Trinity Lutheran Seminary Board of Directors in Columbus, Ohio has appointed Dr. Thomas Ludwig, a long-time member of the board and a senior faculty member at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as interim president, effective February 1, 2013.

Dr. Ludwig is the John Dirk Werkman Professor of Psychology at Hope, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1977. He was granted a leave from his teaching responsibilities to serve as interim president through July 31, 2013, at which time new leadership is expected to be in place.

“I am so pleased that Tom Ludwig will be serving as an interim president for Trinity. His years of service on Trinity’s Board of Directors have provided him with solid knowledge of the inner workings of the seminary. He is familiar with the campus, the faculty and staff, and some of the students,” said Melissa Peper Firestone, chair of the board.

Dr. Ludwig holds a Master of Arts in Theology from Christ Seminary-Seminex (LSTC) and a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. He is the author of numerous journal articles and academic papers on developmental psychology, gerontology, and cognitive psychology, and has won several awards for effective teaching. He served on Trinity’s board from 1995 to 2011, much of that time as chair of the Academic Affairs Committee. During the six-month interim period, Dr. Ludwig will work with the Board of Directors in preparation for new leadership, assist faculty with curriculum development, and work with the entire community throughout this period of transition. He and his spouse Deb will reside on the Trinity campus for the six-month period.