Victoria University Mourns the Death of Former Principal Mark Toulouse
Photo by Michael Barker
Emmanuel College, and the broader Victoria University community, mourns the death of the Rev. Dr. Mark Toulouse, Emmanuel College’s 12th principal, who died suddenly on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Principal Toulouse joined Emmanuel College as principal and professor of the history of Christianity in 2009 and served in these roles until he retired in 2017.
During Principal Toulouse’s time at Emmanuel College, he helped grow the college’s educational profile by introducing several new academic programs, including the certificate programs and the degree programs offered with the University of Toronto.
It was also under Principal Toulouse’s leadership that Emmanuel College created Muslim and Buddhist Studies programs, helping the college become a powerful space for dynamic interreligious engagement. He was a remarkable leader, a strong visionary and a brilliant human being who loved his family and had a great sense of humour.
Prior to arriving at Emmanuel, he was a professor of church history, dean and then executive vice-president at Texas Christian University's Brite Divinity School. Principal Toulouse received his PhD in the history of Christianity from the University of Chicago in 1984.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the W. Oliver and Nell A. Harrison Building at Brite Divinity School, 2925 Princeton St., Fort Worth, TX, 76109, followed by a funeral on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 3 p.m. at South Hills Christian Church, 3200 Bilglade Rd., Fort Worth, TX, 76133.
A recording of the funeral service will be available to stream on SHCC’s YouTube channel by 7 p.m. on Sunday.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to any of the following: