Gnana Robinson

Professorship Robinson began his teaching career at what was then the Tamil Nadu Theological College (now the Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary) in 1962. He was preceded by Rev. Dr. C. D. Jathanna. Rev. Gnana continued as its president till 1988 and was succeeded by Dr. Jacob Verghis.

Again in the year 1997, Rev. Gnana was elected as the President and was later succeeded by Rev. Dr. J. W. Gladstone in the year 2000.

Robinson was acknowledged to have provided leadership to the Senate which has over fifty theological colleges from South Asia affiliated to it.

Retirement and death After retiring as the Principal of the UTC, Bengaluru, Gnana was invited by the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where he was visiting professor until 2001. He later returned to India, residing in Tamil Nadu, and was extensively involved in developmental activities. Gnana died in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district on 3 February 2019, at the age of 83.

Development initiatives For Rev. Robinson, theology did not mean existence within the seminary walls. He founded many development initiatives in Tamil Nadu. Prof. Gnana, as Principal of UTC, Bengaluru commissioned a team of volunteers along with the Ramakrishna Mission, Bengaluru to provide relief to the earthquake-affected people in Latur, Maharashtra.

Gnana founded the Peace Trust, Kanyakumari. He also is a member on the following societies:

Bullock cart Workers' Development Association, Peoples Association for Social Action, Center for Rural Education and Employment for Development.