Tengatenga, born in Zimbabwe in 1958, attended the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. He was consecrated bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Southern Malawi in 1998 and has served on several global Anglican councils and boards.
The Rev. James Liberatore, who hosted Tengatenga at the seminary, said Tengatenga was the best student at the institution.
Tengatenga arrived in Texas in 1982 as one of the few African students at the seminary. They were often sent with the assumption that they were "bishop material" and could perform well, since African churches hoped to invest the limited funds they had in their most promising students, he said.
He said the bishop has spent most of his career trying to better the life conditions of his clergy in rural Malawi, one of the poorest nations in Africa.
Liberatore's church works with Tengatenga's diocese to fund small loans to women starting businesses, install mosquito nets to prevent malaria and build water wells to reduce water-borne diseases.
He said that Tengatenga is an HIV/AIDS education advocate and has raised six orphaned nieces and nephews in addition to his three children.
Liberatore added that Tengatenga's traditional values make him a good fit for a service position at the College.
"He would die on the job rather than walk away, whereas today now people say it's too hard to do something," he said. "He is very persistent, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of other people."
Tengatenga is expected to begin his job at Dartmouth on Jan. 1, pending approval of his visa applications, which have yet to be confirmed, according to the Anglican Communion News Service.
Crocker said he does not expect that Tengatenga will assume the position of College chaplain. His appointment was for the Tucker deanship, which did not advertise the chaplain role, he said.
The Tucker dean promotes service, spirituality and social justice on campus, and helps fundraising efforts.
Tengatenga will also serve as the College's moral spokesperson.
"The position was originally created to promote the moral and spiritual work of Dartmouth, which is now seen through the foundation's programs and the dean's own priorities at maintaining that charge," Crocker said.
The search to fill the Tucker position did not go as quickly as the College had hoped, forcing Crocker to remain in office despite notification of his retirement last fall, he said. Crocker told the College that he planned to retire by June 30, but was asked to stay until August 31.
Although he was not a part of the search committee, Crocker said he attended Tengatenga's public presentation when he visited campus in early May. It is customary for the search committee to not involve the current dean in the candidate vetting process.
During the selection process, Tengatenga delivered a presentation on deforestation and environmentalism in Malawi.
The College's 12th Tucker dean, Crocker replaced Stuart Lord in 2009. Crocker is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church and served as chaplain at Bates College before coming to Dartmouth in 2003.
The College hired director of religious and spiritual life Nancy Vogele in January to facilitate with the chaplain's duties.
In 2011, several prominent Anglican leaders in Africa reasserted the Church's firm stance against same-sex marriage in the wake of accusations that the Province of Central Africa had supported gay rights.
Tengatenga reiterated statements that the church does not recognize nor condone same-sex unions.
"The Anglican Church hasn't changed," Tengatenga said at the time. "Yes, we are against homosexuality and do not approve of the consecration of gay bishops."
Tengatenga clarified that distinctions exist between private views and public pronouncements of church leaders.
The Anglican Church has consistently maintained a strict interpretation of the Bible on social issues, giving ordained officials little room for interpretation or deviation from Anglican doctrine.
Staff writer Margarette Nelson contributed reporting.
