Benjamin C. “Ben” Leslie

Professor Emeritus of Christian Theology and Ethics

Dr. Benjamin C. Leslie was born in 1957 in Anniston, Ala., raised in a Southern Baptist family, attending church where his grandfather served as his first pastor. His parents owned a furniture store, and he spent much of his childhood there dusting furniture and watching television as his parents conducted business.

At the age of 18, he experienced a calling to join the ministry. He was active in church and had a leadership role in his church’s youth program. His path evolved, however, as he focused on religious studies in college, discovering that his passion was teaching. Although he often preached during his career either as a guest speaker or while serving in multiple interim positions, his educational path led toward theological education.

His higher education included a Bachelor of Arts from Samford University (Birmingham, Ala.), a Master of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville, Ky.), a Master of Theology from the Baptist Theological Seminary (Rueschlikon, Switzerland), and a Doctor of Theology from the University of Zurich, Switzerland.

While studying abroad, Leslie taught English at the Baptist Theological Seminary in Rueschlikon to students from diverse international backgrounds, including English, Swiss, German, Italian, Spanish, and other European students, as well as students from Africa and Asia. He described the experience of teaching and learning with students from around the world as eye-opening, enhancing his self-awareness as an American and providing him with a broader perspective.

Returning to the United States, Leslie taught systematic theology and Christian ethics at the North American Baptist Seminary, now known as Sioux Falls Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD. Recognized for his leadership abilities, Leslie was encouraged by his colleagues to pursue an administrative role, including serving as dean of faculty and participating in numerous committees throughout his time as a professor at the seminary.

In 2001, Leslie transitioned into administration as the seminary’s Academic Vice President and Dean, marking a turning point in his career. Leslie reflected on his shift from professor to administrator, acknowledging the challenges of pivoting to a role centered on leadership and problem-solving. “It was clear to me what it meant to be a successful professor,” Leslie shared. “I wasn’t sure what it meant to be a successful administrator. You’re constantly problem-solving, meeting with people who are often unhappy about this or that. But that’s the fertile ground out of which growth and change emerge.”

Leslie started his journey in 2006 as Gardner-Webb’s Executive Vice President and first permanent Provost. “I fell in love with Gardner-Webb,” Leslie said, noting its resemblance to his own undergraduate experience at Samford University. In addition to the similar Georgian Colonial architecture, both universities offer a private Christian education that encourages students to explore their faith without imposing specific views. “Gardner-Webb creates an environment where questions can be asked, and conversations can be held that support a student’s spiritual growth just as much as it supports a student’s intellectual growth,” he explained.

Having attended a private Christian university, he advocates for its ability to provide quality education while encouraging spiritual exploration. He believes in the separation of church and state, commenting that state universities should not work to shape students’ spiritual or religious lives. Instead, Leslie emphasizes the role colleges like Gardner-Webb and Samford universities play in supporting the faith community in the United States.

As provost, Leslie played a crucial role when Gardner-Webb gained autonomy from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, ensuring that the University preserved its academic freedom, including hiring policies and curriculum development. Leslie also served on a committee to maintain the connection between Gardner-Webb and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.

Leslie began serving in 2009 as Gardner-Webb’s accreditation liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). He often served as a committee member for SACSCOC’s off-site and on-site reviews of other institutions. In 2017, he provided institutional oversight of Gardner-Webb’s reaffirmation of accreditation. From January to June 2019, Leslie served as the University’s interim president.

Leslie is particularly proud of Gardner-Webb’s growth in graduate programs during his time as provost, including the addition of the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Business Administration, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Public Administration programs.

However, his proudest achievement during his tenure as provost was cultivating trust and fostering a partnership between the faculty and administration. He emphasized that every new academic program begins with a faculty member asking, “Why don’t we do …?” Highlighting the importance of collaboration and communication between the two areas, Leslie noted, “More than anything else, the faculty is the reason I stayed.”

During his 16 years as Provost and Executive Vice President, Leslie thrived in the ever-changing environment and embraced the problem-solving nature of the role. His position typically involved addressing the concerns of parents, students, and faculty. “Every day was different,” he said. “It was that simple variety that was a part of what got me up in the morning. There was never any chance of the job becoming boring.”

After each year in the position, Leslie continued to ask himself if he still found the job rewarding, “My answer to that question every year was a resounding ‘Yes’,” he affirmed.

Leslie described the contrast between his career as a professor and his time as an administrator as a profound paradox. “There’s a magic in the classroom,” he commented. “Students transfer their own learning to the professor. As professors, we often get credit for things that aren’t really our fault or our responsibility. We simply open doors of discovery that students walk through. It’s the subject matter that ultimately changes their lives. The administrative experience is the alter ego. You deal with problems every day, and a lot of them aren’t your fault. Yet, you’re responsible for them, and you have to address them. You have to find fulfillment some other way—by helping create change and making progress.”

Almost two years before his retirement, Leslie stepped down from his role as provost and returned to his love for teaching, which he believes is his true calling. He spent his remaining time at Gardner-Webb teaching in the School of Divinity and directing the Doctor of Ministry program. Leslie also assumed leadership for the Pittman Center for Congregational Enrichment, which needed revitalizing after a dormant period during COVID. “I’m proud of that last year and a half,” he said, looking back fondly. “I was not biding my time. It was an opportunity to re-experience what it was like to be in the classroom and make some meaningful contributions.”

Following his retirement, Leslie and his wife, Katherine, relocated to the Wake County community in Raleigh, N.C., where their oldest daughter works at nearby Duke University. Leslie loves learning new languages and enrolled in a Spanish course. He stays connected to Gardner-Webb, returning to campus for various programs of interest.

Written by Avery Copeland, intern for University Communications.

Source: 2024 interview with Jackie Bridges, assistant director for University Communications.