Saint Ambrose College - Administration

Administration

Dr. Robert Edmondson was elected Chairman, Saint Ambrose Board of Governors in December 2008. He brings to the administration of the college a lifelong service to his country. Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1968, Dr. Edmondson began a long and distinguished military career that saw him appointed to Chaplain Corps in 1975, named Unit Chaplain of the Year, 1985, serving as staff chaplain with 82nd Airborne Division, Headquarters NATO, an exchange officer to the West German Defense Ministry and Royal Belgium Army, assignment to the Army General Staff, and Advisor to the President. Dr. Edmondson was promoted to Brigadier General in 1997 and eventually received promotion as Lieutenant General, United States Army. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from Norwich University and Bloomfield College, a Master of Divinity degree and Master of Sacred Theology, Drew University and a Doctor of Ministry from Louisville Theological Seminary. Dr. Edmundson was ordained into the priesthood in 1975.

Dr. Raymond W. Copp was appointed Chancellor of Saint Ambrose College by the Board of Governors in October 2008. After a thirty year career in law enforcement, and graduation from four police academies including the FBI National Academy, Dr. Copp entered the priesthood shortly after 9-11. He has served in parish ministry, and hospital, corrections, hospice, and police chaplaincy. Dr. Copp holds a PhD in clinical psychology from California University with dual majors in counseling and behavior analysis, "Phd de Doctorat en Psychologie Clinique" Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon, and Doctor of Sacred Theology from California University. Dr. Copp is Prelate for the Order of Saint Ambrose. He has published professional works in nationally recognized periodicals, poetry in three anthologies, and eight children’s picture and chapter books. Dr. Copp can be best contacted by e-mail Admin@SaintAmbroseCollege.org.

Dr. Irl A. Gladfelter was appointed Saint Ambrose Dean of Academic Affairs in the United States in December 2008. Retired from the United States Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. Gladfelter spent his working life in the service of our country. While doing so, he became widely regarded as one of the country’s foremost experts in forensic dentistry. His academic and military credentials could fill volumes and include Bachelor of Science (Biology): University of the State of New York, Advanced Educational Program in General Dentistry (Dental Identification/Forensic Odontology) Fort Hood, TX, Postgraduate Fellowship (Pediatric Dentistry,) University of Illinois School of Dentistry, Doctor of Dental Surgery (with distinction) University of Missouri School of Dentistry and graduation (with honors) from the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS. In addition to serving as Metropolitan Archbishop, Anglo-Lutheran Catholic Church, and Metropolitan of the Augustana Catholic Communion, Dr. Gladfelter holds masters degrees in divinity and sacred theology, and three honorary doctors of divinity degrees from prestigious independent Catholic seminaries. He has been widely published and his Dental Evidence: A Handbook for Police remains a standard reference work in law enforcement forensic investigation.

Dr. Chaplen Luyimba Kweri was appointed Dean of International Academic Affairs in December 2008. Dr. Kweri has one of the most interesting stories of any person associated with Saint Ambrose College. Several years ago, Dr. Kweri pastored a growing Christian church in his native Sudan. A knock on the door in the middle of the night found him in custody of the Sudanese National Police and incarcerated in a notorious prison in a secret location. Held in seclusion several years for his professing the Gospel, Dr. Kweri underwent indescribable physical and mental torture. With his only companion, a seminary professor also held without charges, Dr. Kweri began his theological education. One day, a Swiss Red Cross delegation visited the prison. Dr. Kweri and other prisoners were threatened with death should they reveal the true nature of their captivity. Trusting in God, and an unknown Swiss Red Cross worker, Dr. Kweri was able to pass a note asking for help. Months passed before a delegation from the United Nations arrived unannounced to free the prisoners for Christ. Resettled to Uganda, Dr. Kweri worked two jobs and deprived himself of food to save the bribe money to bring his wife and each of their six children to Uganda. One by one, he purchased the freedom of his family. Along with being ALCC Archbishop of St. Benedict of Africa, Dr. Kweri holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Master of Divinity, Master of Sacred Theology, and Doctor of Divinity (honoris causa) degrees. He will organize Saint Ambrose’s international program effort and is planning a return to the Sudanese church he founded so many years ago.

Dr. Richard Stoecker, known also to New York City radio listeners as Zach Martin, is Dean of Students and Director of Public Relations and Associate Professor of Theology at Saint Ambrose College. With a long history in radio, Dr. Stoecker is currently Creative Service Director at CBS affiliate WFAN in New York City. A celebrated author and on-air radio personality, Dr. Stoecker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from St. John’s University, Master of Arts in Theology from Saint Ambrose School of Theology, and Doctor of Divinity from Wittenberg Lutheran Seminary, Kansas City, MO. He is a Certified Life and Corporate Executive Training Coach. In addition to being pastor of St. Sophia’s Lutheran Church, Dr. Stoecker provides an active and ongoing leadership role in multiple charitable organizations, leveraging his public persona as well as proven expertise in the areas of PR, branding, copywriting, marketing, sales, fund-raising / development, and Public Service Announcements. Organizations benefiting from his expertise include The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and Songwriting Contest, National Autism Walk, Uth Turn, SIDS, Breast Cancer Society, National Heart Foundation, International Red Cross, and the Society for the Prevention of Suicide.