Title: 1) Professor (Retired); 2) Founder
Company: 1) Princeton Theological Seminary; 2) Woman, Cradle of Abundance
Location: Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States
Elsie Anne Tshimunyi McKee, Retired Professor at Princeton Theological Seminary and Co-Founder at Woman, Cradle of Abundance, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in Reformation Studies and History of Worship.
Dr. McKee has established a distinguished career in academia, marked by her expertise in reformation studies and the history of worship. Her tenure at Princeton Theological Seminary is particularly notable, where she served as the Archibald Alexander professor of reformation studies and history of worship from 1994 to 2023. Before assuming this role, Dr. McKee served as the Archibald Alexander associate professor on campus, starting in 1992.
Having begun her academic journey as an assistant professor of church history at Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Center, Massachusetts, from 1982 to 1988, Dr. McKee continued to progress, earning the role of associate professor at the school until 1992. Her earlier titles of teaching fellow at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, and undergraduate tutor in New Testament Greek at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, were instrumental in her subsequent success.
In addition to her primary academic roles, Dr. McKee has made significant contributions to theological education globally. She was a visiting lecturer at Waldensian Seminary in Rome and a guest professor at the University of Göttingen’s theological faculty in 2004. Previously, in 1995, Dr. McKee was also a visiting professor of the faculty of reformed theology in Kasai, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her involvement with Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a member of the H. Henry Meeter Center’s governing board from 1988 to 1992 underscored her commitment to advancing theological scholarship early in her career.
Dr. McKee’s academic achievements are rooted in her extensive education. She holds a diploma in theology from Cambridge University in England in 1974. Subsequently, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, with high honors, from Hendrix College in 1973. She also earned a Doctor of Philosophy, summa cum laude, from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1982, followed by coursework there from 1974 to 1975. Dr. McKee attributes her success to her commitment to education and sharing knowledge, recognizing the privileges she enjoys and striving to be a steward of her resources for those less fortunate.
Maintaining several professional affiliations, Dr. McKee is a member of the American Society of Church History and the North American Academy of Liturgy. She has also held leadership roles within the Calvin Studies Society, where she served as the organization’s vice president from 1993 to 1995 and as president between 1995 and 1997.
As a dedicated scholar, Dr. McKee’s contributions have included numerous publications that have enriched the field of reformation studies. Among these are “The Pastoral Ministry and Worship in Calvin’s Geneva,” published in 2016, and “Cradling Abundance: One African Christian’s Story of Empowering Women and Fighting Systemic Poverty,” co-authored in 2021. Her earlier works include “John Calvin: Writings on Pastoral Piety” in 2001 and “Calvin’s Pastoral Theology” in 2011.
Beyond academia, Dr. McKee co-founded Woman, Cradle of Abundance in 2013, reflecting her commitment to civic initiatives. The nonprofit organization has focused on empowering Congolese women and girls in their fight against systemic poverty and violence through education, counseling, medical and support services, and promoting economic independence.
Dr. McKee’s research and expertise have been recognized with several awards, including the Odyssey Medal from Hendrix College in 2015 and the Bodo Nishan Award from the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference in 2021. Her legacy is deeply intertwined with her desire to impact those serving in various humanitarian roles through her teaching and mentorship.
Looking ahead, Dr. McKee plans to complete an academic project focused on editing a 16th-century manuscript of John Calvin’s sermons. She also intends to ensure the financial stability for Woman, Cradle of Abundance, with a solid succession plan.
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