Grove City College Dean of the Chapel Rev. Dr. F. Stanley Keehlwetter will retire this spring after 19 years as the campus’ spiritual leader.
Keehlwetter, who has been a Presbyterian pastor in Western Pennsylvania for 35 years, began serving the College community in 1999 and was named full-time Dean of the Chapel in 2004.
“Stan has demonstrated his profound commitment to God through his faithful service to Grove City College over the years. His leadership is rooted in faith and devotion to Christ and he fulfills his pastoral duties with passion and good will,” College President Paul J. McNulty ‘80 said. “Students have benefitted from his deep understanding of scripture and theology and his personal concern for their spiritual formation.”
“My role as Dean of the Chapel at Grove City College has been the highlight of my 35 years of ministry,” Keehlwetter said. “The College is a very special place and it has been a privilege to serve the Lord in this academic community for these 19 years.”
During his tenure, Keehlwetter revitalized the College’s Chapel Program, including recent changes to focus more on corporate worship, biblical preaching and testimony, taught in the Humanities Department, served on the College’s leadership team and moderated the Religious Activities Committee, along with serving as a successful track and field and soccer coach.
Keehlwetter also worked to bring Harbison Chapel up to date technologically, served on the search committees for the College’s current President, Provost and Vice President of Student Life and Learning and expanded the Red Box Mission Program to include more student participation and development of comprehensive training.
He was a three-time Presidents Athletic Conference Track and Field Coach of the Year and led the men’s team to four consecutive conference championships from 2005 to 2008. He also assisted in coaching the women’s soccer team to 227 wins between 2000 and 2017.
Keehlwetter holds degrees from Gordon College, Duquesne University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Fuller Theological Seminary, and is also pastor of Plain Grove (Pa.) Presbyterian Church. He lives in Wexford, Pa., with his wife Lois. They have three grown children and 12 grandchildren.