Cardwell has been with the seminary since 1962 and was on the faculty from 1979 until she retired in 1988. She is Diplomate and Past President of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and a member of the American Psychological Association. An ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Cardwell served for 12 years with her husband, Walter, as a missionary to Bolenge, Zaire. Her most recent writings include “Seminary Norms for the MMPI-2” which appeared in The Journal of Pastoral Care (Spring, 1996) the revised Form E of the Theological School Inventory with Guide and Manual Supplement (co-authored, 1991); a chapter, “Seminary Applications,” in the book, Clergy Assessment and Career Development, (1990), two articles in The Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling, (1990). Previous publications include “Continuum, the Brain, and Interventions in Pastoral Counseling” (Encounter, 1987); “Why Women Fail/Succeed in Ministry: Psychological Factors” (Pastoral Psychology, Winter, 1979 and reprinted in Psychological Perspectives on Christian Ministry, Wales, Great Britain); and “Persistence in Seminary and in Ministry” (Pastoral Psychology, Winter, 1979).
Cardwell received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1978 from Indiana University with specialization in Measurement and Evaluation. Other degrees include S.T.M. (Christian Theological Seminary, 1970); Ed.S. (Butler University, 1965); M.S. (Butler, 1962); and B.A. with distinction (William Carey College, Hattiesburg, Miss., 1937). Prior to her current work, she was a research associate in a National Institute of Mental Health funded program for mental health of the aging and a psychometrist in the office of pastoral care. Cardwell later became a psychologist, lecturer, research associate, associate director then director of the CTS Pastoral Counseling Service and a member of the seminary faculty. She is licensed for private practice and endorsed as a Health Service Provider in psychology by the Indiana State Board of Examiners in Psychology.
CTS recently honored her as the first female faculty member of a Disciples of Christ seminary with a scholarship established in her name. The Dr. Sue and Walter Cardwell Endowed Scholarship Fund, was inaugurated by the trustees and alumni of CTS on September 25, 2013 during an alumni reunion.
She has five children and 14 grandchildren.
