The Rev. Rob Dewey Awarded Honorary Doctorate

Photo provided by Charleston Southern University

​On May 7, the Rev. Rob Dewey, a longtime priest of our diocese, was recognized for his commitment to his church, the local community, and Charleston Southern University with an honorary doctorate of Christian Leadership. The recognition acknowledged the Rev. Dewey’s “dedication as shown through his chaplaincy service throughout the Lowcountry” as well as his ministry that has spanned more than four decades and his numerous honors and awards, including “the Martin Luther King Jr. Picture Award for service to the Lowcountry in 2013; the Innovator of the year in Crisis Response in 2016; and the Ready Communities Partnership National Service Award in 2017.” The school also expressed gratitude for his many contributions to Charleston Southern University (CSU), especially his “generosity and diligence in working to establish the Dewey Center for Chaplaincy” that allows the school to offer academic programming to students seeking to enter the chaplain ministry, as well as training for current chaplains. The centers makes it possible for CSU to provide support for more than 60 forms of chaplaincy careers.
 
Of receiving the honor, the Rev. Dewey expressed his gratitude for the unexpected recognition. “I was very surprised and am honored to be recognized by Charleston Southern University in this way,” said Fr. Dewey. “I also appreciate the support of The Episcopal Church for the past 40 years, and I am particularly thankful to Dean Michael Wright of Grace Church Cathedral.”
​
The Rev. Dewey’s ministry has been anchored by his deep commitment to chaplaincy. In addition to beginning the South Carolina Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, he founded the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy in 1990, serving to provide chaplains for Lowcountry first responders as well as state and federal agencies, and he created the Lowcountry Community Chaplaincy in 2017 in service of Drug Diversion Courts, the ATF, the Charleston Restaurant and Hotel Association, and the Isle of Palms Public Safety Office, among other institutions. He has also served as chaplain to the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

---