alumni news & notes

class notes |

1970s

Deacon Eddie Ensley (1969-1971) recently recalled how his years at Austin Seminary formulated his call to ordained ministry. Although he finished his master’s in theology at Loyola University, he notes, “Austin holds a dear and deeply important part of my past. What I learned there is used in my ministry every day.” Eddie also received a doctorate in clinical pastoral counseling. In addition to writing more than a dozen books, he is currently on the clergy staff at St. Anne Catholic Church in Columbus, Georgia, where he preaches often at Sunday Masses and maintains a practice of pastoral counseling.

Bob Lively (MDiv’73, DMin’79) shares that his fifteenth “and final” book, Why Pray?, was published in August.

1980s

Jennifer McDowell, wife of Bryan McDowell (MDiv’81), died April 3, 2022.

2000s

Chris Harrison (MDiv’00) and Hannah Hooks (MDiv’05) serve as president and vice president of the Lee County Youth Center in Giddings, Texas. Recently they celebrated the opening of the Donna Orsag Center for Excellence for which they worked to secure funding. On hand to cheer this accomplishment were former Seminary professor Andy Dearman and alumnus Bill Pederson (MDiv’88). In August,

Laura Hudson (MDiv’09) co-facilitated a free online workshop, “Crossing into Courage” that offered tips and information on holding neighborhood “Climate Vigils.”

2010s

Rachael McConnell (MDiv’17) has been called as pastor for Rolling Hills Community Church, Lago Vista, Texas.

Tyler Henderson (MDiv’18) was installed as the pastor at Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church in Katy, Texas, on August 15; he has been their associate pastor for four years.

2020s

Lex Allum (MDiv’20) has been called as pastor for First Presbyterian Church, Paducah, Kentucky.

ordinations

Jeannie Corbitt Cardona (MDiv’20) was ordained into the PC(USA) by Grace Presbytery on May 8, 2022. She serves Austin Seminary as director of church relations.

Jonathan Freeman (MDiv’21) was ordained into the PC(USA) by Mission Presbytery, July 3, 2022.

Rachel Watson (MDiv’22) was ordained into the PC(USA) by Mission Presbytery, August 7, 2022. She serves as stated supply associate pastor at University Presbyterian Church, Austin.

A number of Austin Seminary alumni took part in a research project on clergy and the pandemic. Rev. Dr. Eileen Campbell-Reed published a report on her study #PandemicPastoring: What It Was/How It Changed Us/ Where Do We Go From Here. You can download the report at: https://3mmm.us/pandemicpastoring.

milestones

ordained 60 years

Harold Clark, July 10, 1962 Fred Tulloch, July 29, 1962

ordained 50 years

Harry Horne, July 2, 1972 Mike Smith, July 9, 1972 Walt Westcott, September 1, 1972 John Mikow, September 24, 1972

in memoriam

Jack C. Hunnicutt (MDiv’54), October 10, 2022, Cleburne, Texas

Don E. Moore (MDiv’68), May 3, 2020, Houston, Texas

Van Vanderland (DMin’84) July 26, 2022, Temple, Texas

Kathleen T. Hignight (MDiv’95), September 28, 2022, Shreveport, Louisiana

Paul Bitter (MDiv’75), October 13, 2022, Whitehouse, Texas

Join other Austin Seminary alumni at MidWinters to honor our 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient NANCY CHESTER MCCRANIE (MDiv’87) ASA Luncheon | Wednesday, January 25, 2023 Register at: AustinSeminary.edu/MidWinters