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Principal Donald Macleod is to retire in June 2010 as Principal of the Free Church College in Edinburgh. His intention to step down was announced by Dr Iain D. Campbell, the Chairman of the College Board, this week. Dr Campbell paid tribute to his leadership and said that Donald Macleod “significantly developed the Free Church College as a Reformed centre of theological enquiry, offering a variety of degree courses and holding to the highest academic standards. His tenure of the Principalship has put the whole Church in his debt.”

Principal Macleod is the longest-serving active minister in the Free Church of Scotland. Having been ordained to Kilmallie in 1964, his second and only other charge was Glasgow where he ministered in the then Partick Highland (now Dowanvale) congregation, before being appointed to the chair of Systematic Theology at the Free Church College in 1978. Upon the retirement of Archie Boyd, Professor Macleod was appointed to the position of Principal in 1999.

It was during his time as Principal that the validation arrangement was forged between the Free Church College and Glasgow University, which resulted in BTh and MTh degrees being awarded to the College’s students.
Principal Macleod said this week that it had been a great honour to hold the position of Principal, and paid tribute to the “excellent team” with which he worked and who helped create a happy environment. Whilst stepping down as Principal, he intends to continue to teach Systematic Theology for the time being.

In 2008, Principal Macleod was awarded an honorary doctorate by Westminster Theological Seminary. He is the author of several books, which include The Person of Christ, The Spirit of Promise and A Faith to Live By.

I. Martin 24/11/09