William (Bill) Kostlevy will retire as director of the Brethren Historical Library and Archives (BHLA) effective April 17. He has worked for the Church of the Brethren for almost eight years, since March 1, 2013.
During Kostlevy’s tenure, BHLA staff have responded to more than 3,000 requests for information and hosted more than 500 researchers and more than 1,000 visitors to the archive at the Church of the Brethren General Offices in Elgin, Ill. He has mentored nine archival interns and has overseen three long-term volunteers. Together they have processed more than 33 significant collections of materials and 1,300 cubic meters of archival material.
In addition to overseeing the BHLA, his work has included writing scholarly articles, participating in historical conferences, and spearheading historical displays at Annual Conference. His service to the denomination has included leadership of the Church of the Brethren Historical Committee.
Previously, his career included a teaching position in history at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan.; service as archivist at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif.; and work for Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ken., as bibliographer in a Wesleyan holiness studies project and then as archivist and special collections librarian and professor of Church History.
He is an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren and holds degrees from Asbury College; Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.; Bethany Theological Seminary; and the University of Notre Dame, where he held the William Randolph Hearst Fellowship. He has been a fellow at the Young Center at Elizabethtown (Pa.) College.
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