alumni news & notes

class notes |

1960s

Anne Simpson Pardington (MCE’64) lives in Portland, Oregon. In 1962 Anne was one of the first women to enroll in the bachelor of divinity program, but a professor who didn’t believe in women in ministry convinced her to change to the master of Christian education.

1980s

Sallie Watson (MDiv’87), general presbyter for Mission Presbytery, and husband, Paul, went to London and “had the delight of spending an afternoon with Eunice Paul! This 101-years-young woman is the wife of Robert Paul, our late beloved professor of church history.”

Terry McCandless, wife of Mickey McCandless (MDiv’88), died June 28, 2023, in San Antonio.

Karen Ann Ledger, wife of Michael Harrington (MDiv’89) died June 17, 2023, in Seattle.

1990s

Dennis Hysom (MDiv’92) retired in June 2022 as an Army chaplain. He continues to serve as the executive director of the Presbyterian Federal Chaplaincies, where he endorses Presbyterian chaplains for the Veteran Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and the military. He notes, “Lenora (MDiv’95) and I love living in Western North Carolina and planning the next phase of our life journey.”

Dan Darby (DMin’96) was honorably retired by the Texas Annual Conference of the UMC.

2000s

Steven Barnes (MA’00) is now pastor/head of staff at Oconee Presbyterian Church, Watkinsville, Georgia. Kailey Gray Stephens (MDiv’21) also serves that congregation as director of children and youth ministries.)

Dale Schultz (DMin’00) was honorably retired by the Central Texas Annual Conference of the UMC. Dale served several UMC congregations in Texas, most recently St. Paul UMC, Hurst. He continues to work as a spiritual life coach, inspirational speaker, and writer.

2010s

Jane Davis (CIM’15) serves as a commissioned lay pastor for Los Angeles Heights Presbyterian, San Antonio, Texas.

Emily Beghin (MDiv’15) has been called as associate pastor for mission and pastoral care at Palms Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

Don Moore (MDiv’16) received the Harry Denman Evangelism Award, given annually by the UMC Central Texas Annual Conference. The Denman Award recognizes those whose lives exemplify the Great Commission through word and deed.

Adrienne Zermeno (MDiv’16) currently serves as pastor for First UMC, Beeville, Texas. She wrote to us, “As the UMC goes through disaffiliation battles including those in my own congregation, I’m so thankful for my education at Austin Seminary. I was a transfer student from Asbury. I’m so glad that I was pushed to have deep roots and wrestle with my understanding of who God is and what God’s call on our lives looks like.”

Jasiel Hernandez (MDiv’18) has been called as senior pastor for First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, Texas.

Jennifer Hallberg (MDiv’19) has been called as associate pastor, Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church, Lexington, Kentucky.

2020s

Matthew Hoffman (DMin’23) is the director of Baylor Scott & White’s (Dallas, Texas) Faith in Action Initiatives. He describes this as “the humanitarian aid and medical missions arm” for the system. His role includes overseeing the system’s spiritual care staff support, “Sacred Vocation,” and helping combat compassion fatigue and vocational burnout.

ordinations & commissions

Matthew Beach (MDiv’17) was ordained into the PC(USA) by New Covenant Presbytery on June 17, 2023. He has been called to pastor Heights Presbyterian Church, Houston.

The following alumni were ordained / commissioned on June 9, 2023, by the Rio Texas Annual Conference:

Randy Knighten (MATS’18), as a deacon in full connection. Randy serves as outreach ministries pastor at St. John’s UMC, Austin.

Curt Davis (MDiv’20), as an elder in full connection. Curt has been serving at Lake Travis UMC but on July 1 began his new appointment at Pflugerville (Texas) UMC.

Jackie Freeman (MDiv’20), as an elder in full connection. Jackie is pastor at St. Luke UMC, Austin.

Jason Surdy (MDiv’20), as an elder in full connection. Jason has served First UMC, Corpus Christi but on July 1 began his new appointment at Lake Travis (Texas) UMC.

Katie Lamoureux (MDiv’23), was commissioned June 5, 2023, by the UMC Central Texas Annual Conference as a provisional member preparing for ordained ministry. Katie is pastor at First UMC, Belton. She is the daughter of Brad Slaten (MDiv’11).

in memoriam

Correction: In the spring issue we listed Seguin, Texas, as place of death for David Sebesta. While the memorial service was held in Seguin, David and Tig resided in Laurel, Mississippi, at the time of his death.

Edward Robertson (MDiv’52), June 29, 2023, Brownsville, Texas

Dwight C. West (MDiv’58), April 30, 2023, San Antonio, Texas

G. Bruce Schumacher (MDiv’63), September 21, 2017, San Diego, California

John Ed Withers (MDiv’65), May 23, 2023, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Theodore W. Roeling (MDiv’75), March 8, 2023, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

J. Steve Sidell (MDiv’78, DMin’78), February 14, 2023, Baytown, Texas

Bryan L. McDowell (MDiv’81), April 29, 2023, Shreveport, Louisiana

James R. Bruening (DMin’84), April 3, 2023, Mesa, Arizona