Dr. Don Messer

theologian and author

Donald E. Messer (born 1941) is an American United Methodist theologian and author, and former college and seminary president. He is known for his work to combat world hunger and HIV/AIDS. Messer earned a Ph.D. from Boston University in social ethics. He was president of Dakota Wesleyan University from 1971 to 1981, and president of Iliff School of Theology from 1981 to 2000. He was named both President Emeritus and the Henry White Warren Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology at The Iliff School of Theology. As of 2013, Messer is the Executive Director of the Center for the Church and Global AIDS. At the 5th International Conference on AIDS India in Chennai in 2005, he was honored by The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University with a "Lifetime Achievement Award" for his humanitarian work. Among other awards received over the years, Messer was named one of America's "Ten Outstanding Young Men" in 1975 by the United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees).