AWARE A quarterly publication of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
magazine July 2016
The 159th Commencement of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
Aware Magazine • July 2016 Contents 3 | Presidential Perspective 4 | Child Advocate, Marian Wright Edelman, Speaks at the 159th Commencement
5 President Lallene J. Rector reading to our young scholars in the Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program
5 | Cutting Edges: “Child Advocacy and Public Theology” 6 | The Class of 2016 10 | Malone and Ott Receive Distinguished Alum Awards 11 | Beverly Judge Invests in Seminary’s Future with a Planned Gift 12 | Giving to Garrett-Evangelical: Top 10 Things You Need to Know
6 The Class of 2016 includes 72 graduates who have been appointed to ministries and accepted to doctoral programs across the nation
Aware is published quarterly by the development office
for alums and friends of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church. Founded in 1853, the seminary serves more than 500 students from many denominations and various cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy, and doctor of ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alums serve church and society around the world.
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14 | Alum News 15 | In Memoriam
PRESIDENT EDITORIAL BOARD
PHOTOGRAPHY
Lallene J. Rector Ceciley Akins Katharine Duke David L. Heetland April McGlothin-Eller Krista J. McNeil Shane A. Nichols Tasha Sargent Bill Burlingham of Burlingham Productions Shane Nichols
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary | 2121 Sheridan Road | Evanston, IL | 800.SEMINARY | www.Garrett.edu
Presidential Perspective Summer Greetings to the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Family! I recently had the pleasure of preaching at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in Minneapolis. I chose the lectionary text from the Epistle of Paul to the congregations of Galatia. Lallene J. Rector In it, Paul encourages the followers of Jesus to live by the Spirit and explains that all the law is fulfilled in the commandment to love your neighbor. It was an opportunity to think more clearly about the meaning of being called by Love, to love. And, it was an opportunity to reflect further upon the relationship between the two great commandments: our need to be firmly grounded in the love of God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and then, how we are thus enabled to go out and love our neighbor by sharing our faith and by engaging in those acts of mercy to which we are called. Since our last issue of Aware, much has happened in the world and at the seminary. Religious belief, political ideologies, and basic hatred for the other have continued to motivate horrific violence around the world. There have been bombings in Baghdad and elsewhere. In our own country, we are still reeling from the recent devastation of killings in Orlando. And, a few weeks ago, we learned of the death of Elie Wiesel, holocaust survivor and Nobel Peace Award recipient. He was a powerful witness to one of the most evil genocides in human history, and even in the midst of this witness, he also managed to give eloquent voice to the triumph of hope. The realities of the world are often overwhelming to us and the destructive machinations “of the flesh” seem unending. And yet, we at Garrett-Evangelical and all those who count themselves followers of Jesus Christ seek to follow Paul’s admonition to “ . . . be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NRSV). At our 159th commencement in May, we sent 72 graduates out into the world to do just this. Our students and alumni are having a great impact in the world, July 2016
winning new disciples for Jesus Christ, supporting them as they grow in the faith and in their relationship to God, and leading others in many acts of mercy, love of neighbor, and the social holiness of which John Wesley taught. We are diligently working to welcome a great new class of students in September, to bring more professional development, degree-bearing courses and spiritual growth opportunities to our alumni, laity, and clergy in surrounding annual conferences, and to complete work on our new MDiv curriculum to be formally implemented in the 2017-2018 academic year. In this issue, among other things, you will read about our commencement speaker, Marian Wright Edelman, the 50th year alumni reunion, our grief over the sudden death of our friend, colleague, and public theology consultant, Dr. Dave Frenchak, and our sponsorship for the first time of the Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program. As I write, the Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom School begins its second week of a six–week summer literacy project for 50 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders. Friendship Baptist Church is our congregational partner in this effort and is helping strengthen our resolve to be a servant seminary to the local church and to our surrounding community. There is great excitement in Evanston about this new ministry as our own students are being introduced to child advocacy issues. So, while we cannot escape the reality of death and destruction wrought by human hands, the brokenness and human frailty that wreaks havoc, Garrett-Evangelical stands firm in the promise that God is doing a new thing in our midst, and we stand firm in our commitment “to excel in the Lord” by preparing relevant and effective spiritual leaders for the church, the world, and the academy. Thank you for all the ways in which you continue to support the seminary. Please remember us in your prayers as we, in turn, pray God’s blessings upon you. Keep up the good work out there!
Lallene J. Rector, President Aware Magazine
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Child Advocate, Edelman, Speaks at 159th Commencement Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children’s Defense Fund, reminds graduates that it is ordinary people who have changed the world Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary celebrated children the foundation they need to succeed in school, th its 159 commencement on Friday, May 13 at the and later, in the workforce. She acknowledged that the First United Methodist Church in Evanston. The country has made progress with expanding early head seminary awarded 72 degrees, start, childcare, and home recognized and blessed the visitation, but emphasized the class of 1966, and awarded need for the people and the distinguished alum awards government to come together to to Tracy H. Smith Malone, do more for young children. who received a master of divinity in 1993 from Garrett“Research shows how critically Evangelical, and Donald Ott, important those first three who received a master of years of life are,” she said. “We divinity in 1958 from Garrett know that it is cost effective, Biblical Institute. (See more that it is the right thing to do.” about these distinguished alums on page 6.) Edelman said that the nation Marian Wright Edelman could decrease child poverty Garrett-Evangelical awarded Marian Wright Edelman, tomorrow by 62 percent overall and decrease black founder and president of the Children’s Defense child poverty by 72 percent by investing in the seven Fund, an honorary doctor of humane letters degree. In commonsense things that the Children’s Defense Fund presenting the degree, Ouk-Yean Kim Jueng, a trustee of laid out in its report, Ending Child Poverty Now. Garrett-Evangelical, said, “Mrs. Edelman’s commitment to advocacy on behalf of the nation’s children and her Midway through her speech, Edelman talked about an old life of public service make us extremely proud to have newspaper clipping that showed up in her mail one day. her as our commencement speaker and recipient of an “It said that all you need to know about life, you can learn honorary doctorate of humane letters.” from Noah’s Ark, and I think they are right,” she said. In her commencement address titled, “Lessons from Noah’s Ark,” Edelman stressed the importance of ending child poverty. According to Edelman, there are 15.5 million poor children in America and 6.8 million extremely poor children. The Children’s Defense Fund published a report last year on what it could do eliminate child poverty, Edelman said. “It’s not a mystery,” she said. “We know what to do. . . . We need to and can change these terrible figures that I’m talking about.” Edelman spoke of Dr. Martin Luther King who “told us over and over what our mandate was. . . . [That is] to use our vast resources to end poverty and make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of life.” Her top priority, she said, is to make sure the nation has a high quality early childhood program that gives young
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She encouraged the graduates to follow the advice from the article, which included “Don’t miss the boat” (the chance to invest in the nation’s children), “We are all in the same boat” (It is in everyone’s best interest to invest in all children), and “Plan ahead” (to leave the world better for our children). Her favorite advice from the article is, she said, “to remember the Ark was built by amateurs and the Titanic by professionals.” Edelman reminded the audience that it is ordinary people of grace and faith who have changed the world. Edelman ended her talk saying, “I just hope today as you go out into the world, new graduates and all of us who have been laboring in the vineyard for a long time, that we will recommit ourselves to saving our children today and tomorrow and to building a nation and a world where there is not a single child left behind and every child feels welcome.” July 2016
Cutting Edges: “Child Advocacy and Public Theology” The Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program By Virginia Lee, Associate Professor of Christian Education At President Lallene J. Rector’s inauguration, Rev. Dr. Mark Dennis, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Evanston, challenged the seminary to become more involved in the life of the Evanston community. One of the ways that we are doing that is through our work in child advocacy, which is one of the focal points of Garrett-Evangelical’s work in public theology. The Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) Freedom Schools Program is our first initiative in child advocacy. It is one of the ways that we love God and love neighbor and one of the ways that we follow in the long Wesleyan tradition of concern for children. As a former public school teacher, an ordained deacon who is called to ministries of compassion and justice, a seminary professor, an aunt and great-aunt, and as a Christian who tries to live out my baptismal vows, I have a great concern for children – all children. I identify with a quote from Mercy Oduyoye, a Methodist woman, who is often acknowledged as the “mother of African women’s theologies.” She said, “I am not a mother, but I have children.” This quote expresses my own philosophy and theology about caring for children, and it echoes words and phrases I have often expressed. All children are created in the image of God and are my children and your children. The most recent data from the Children’s Defense Fund indicates that one in five or almost 22 percent of our children are poor, which means 15.5 million children live in poverty. Poverty is defined as an annual income below $23,000 for a family of four. And more than 40 percent of these 15.5 million children live in extreme poverty, which is an annual income of less than $12,000 for a family of four. As a teacher, I am concerned about the education of our children. Sixty-six percent of fourth grade children in the United States are unable to read at grade level, and 59 percent are unable to compute at grade level. Early July 2016
childcare and education are important for all children and especially so for children living in the stressful environment of poverty. Many young children do not benefit from high quality early childhood programs: 96 percent of all eligible infants and toddlers are not served by early head start due to lack of funding. To address some of these concerns, Garrett-Evangelical has worked with a number of partners in the local community to sponsor the Garrett-Evanston CDF Freedom Schools Program. Some of our partners include Evanston/Skokie School District 65, the Evanston Community Foundation, the Fifth Ward of Evanston, Friendship Baptist Church, and Evanston Own It This six-week daily literacy and creative arts program is designed to help children fall in love with reading and to help prevent the summer reading slide. My faculty colleague, Reginald Blount, and I are the co-executive directors of this program. Patricia Efiom (G-ETS 2015) is our project director and Theresa Lee is our site coordinator. The program is held at Friendship Baptist Church on Foster Street in the Fifth Ward of Evanston. The Fifth Ward is the only ward in Evanston that does not have a school within its boundaries. We have reached our capacity of 50 children/scholars who will be in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades next year. The primary leaders and facilitators of the program are Servant Leader Interns who are young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. We have hired four college students and three Garrett-Evangelical seminary students. While the program helps children learn to love reading, it also provides leadership development skills for young adults. We invite your prayers for the program – for our children, the staff, and the community. We also invite your financial support of this ministry. Your gift to Garrett-Evangelical can be designated specifically for this program to support its annual operating cost. To learn more about the Garrett-Evanston Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program, go to www.Garrett.edu/freedomschoolsprogram. Aware Magazine
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The Class of 2016
This year, 72 students received degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, including nine doctor of philosophy, seven doctor of ministry, five master of arts in Christian education, one master of arts in music ministry, five master of arts in pastoral care and counseling, one master of arts in spiritual formation and evangelism, six master of theological studies, and 38 master of divinity. Each year at graduation, we not only celebrate their accomplishments in seminary, but also look to the future. Seven of the graduates reflect on their time at Garrett-Evangelical and share their hopes and plans for their future ministries.
Dione Corsilles
Master of Divinity
What is your hometown and educational background? I’m a native Seattleite, (born and raised in the Pacific Northwest) a husband, and dad, with two young children. After completing my bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Washington, I worked in the world of recruiting and human resources, leading personnel searches and managing HR policies and services. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? My time at GarrettEvangelical has affirmed my love of connecting with people along the journey of living into our calls to discipleship. My experiences at Garrett-Evangelical allowed me to not only see the need to recognize oppression and injustice, but also be a voice in the community that stands for love, a love for all people. In the midst of balancing coursework, my field placements, and time with family, I continued hearing the Spirit’s call to love, connect, and live out my call to ministry as an elder in The United Methodist Church.
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What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? There are too many memorable experiences to mention, but highlights have been serving in my field placements as a pastoral intern at Grace Church Logan Square and as a CPE chaplain at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. It has been in journeying with people and hearing people’s stories of struggle, as well as stories of celebration, that have been the most memorable. It’s these encounters that provided me the space to reflect, ask questions, and ponder difficult social realities in our communities and see the importance to publicly engage these realities theologically. I’m most proud of the accomplishments, bright futures, and friendships with my colleagues in the class of 2016 and that we’ve decided that our class gift is the creation of The Larry Murphy Fund for Diversity and Inclusion. This is an important fund that will create scholarships for years to come for underrepresented students in theological education at Garrett-Evangelical. This speaks volumes of Garrett-Evangelical’s valuing and embrace of diversity and inclusion. Garrett-Evangelical and our graduating class of 2016 recognize that by financially supporting underrepresented students, we are celebrating difference by having a more diverse community and becoming more theologically informed and educated. July 2016
What are your plans or your hopes for your future? I will be serving as an associate pastor at Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church in Seattle and continuing the ordination process in the Pacific Northwest Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. I look forward to connecting with all GarrettEvangelical alumni and friends who find themselves journeying to the Pacific Northwest.
Cora Glass
Master of Divinity What is your hometown and educational background? I grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, but currently claim Pontiac, Michigan as my hometown. In December 2012, I graduated from High Point University (High Point, North Carolina) with a B.A. in nonprofit leadership and management. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? My time at GarrettEvangelical has been formative to my call. Although I entered seminary planning to be an elder in The United Methodist Church, I met many deacons who affirmed in me a call to ministry as a deacon. My field placement experiences also helped clarify the excitement I feel about doing ministry outside the traditional church walls. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? I was elected to serve on our Student Council and it was an honor to serve my peers. One particular moment I will remember fondly is when I was chair of the first-year committee. We organized an end-of-the-year party for the first-year students. It featured karaoke and fancy beverages in custom “We Survived First Year!” cups. We were thrilled with the event and that Academic Dean Luis Rivera came to join us. The event embodied the sense of community present among our class, an attribute that has carried us through the challenges and successes of our seminary journeys. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? I plan to be commissioned as a deacon in the Detroit Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church this summer. As a deacon, I hope to be in ministries that address our spiritual and physical hungers through administrative leadership, Christian education, and community empowerment. July 2016
Jonathon Dodrill Doctor of Philosophy
What is your hometown and educational background? I am from Athens, Ohio. I have a bachelor of arts degree in biblical literature and youth ministry from Indiana Wesleyan University, and I have a master of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? I’ve had an incredible experience at Garrett-Evangelical. I had the benefit of learning from – and being mentored by – great faculty. I was able to grow as a researcher and writer alongside a supportive cohort of doctoral students. Finally, I developed a philosophy of teaching while in the classroom as a TA and an adjunct instructor, teaching very capable students. The program and the people involved in my education have significantly shaped my calling. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? The first instance that comes to mind is when I broke a tooth just before I was to give my first ever lecture! That was my most painful experience, but my most memorable was my dissertation defense. It was the culmination of years of reading, researching, and writing. During the defense, I had to explain my methodology and sources; but more importantly, I was able to explore how engaging in this work has shaped my worldview and understanding of Christ’s mission to serve the poor and outcast. This project certainly has shaped who I am. The conversation was a once-ina-lifetime moment I was able to share with professors Barry Bryant and Larry Murphy – two scholars I respect immensely. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? I plan to continue in my role as director of undergraduate advising and vocation exploration at North Park University. My position at North Park affords me the opportunity to fulfill my vocational calling: I am able to invest in students from a variety of educational, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. I passionately teach these same students in the classroom, and (in my free time) I am able to engage in research that explores Chicago’s unique religious history. Additionally, I hope to continue serving as an adjunct instructor, teaching courses at Garrett-Evangelical. Aware Magazine
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The Class of 2016 (continued) Stanley Giles
Master of Divinity What is your hometown and educational background? My hometown is Little Rock, Arkansas. I have a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Alabama State University (2010). How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? During my tenure at Garrett-Evangelical, I was introduced to language and frameworks that help me to better think about and articulate (my understanding of) God’s relation to the human condition. Two years of field placement and my current employment with Connections for the Homeless have allowed me to see where the language and frameworks of the academy meet the lives of real life people. The people I’ve worked with have challenged those terminologies, theories, and frameworks at times; and, at other times, they have proven them to be valid and invaluable. I believe I’m called to work as an advocate for impoverished people. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? My most memorable experience at Garrett-Evangelical was my first semester. I remember being in Dr. Cheryl Anderson’s Old Testament class and being beckoned to reexamine the Hebrew Bible and my understanding of its contents. Dr. Jim Papandrea introduced me to the history of the Church universal and the development of doctrine. These two courses were humbling because they revealed to me that there was so much about my Christian heritage that I had no knowledge of. It was in this place of humility that I decided to become a sponge of sorts and to absorb everything from every classroom experience and every human interaction. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? In the now and in the future, I plan to advocate for homeless persons who are seeking a place to call home. I envision myself working with non-profit organizations, real estate development groups, and religious institutions that see the importance of creating viable communities that aid in community flourishing.
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My time at Garrett-Evangelical has left me more confident in my call . . . I have a passion for reading, writing, and engaging with others over challenging texts and ideas, and GarrettEvangelical has shown me the importance and diversity of perspectives and learning styles. -Erin Murchison
Erin Murchison
Master of Theological Studies What is your hometown and educational background? I am from Austin, Texas and received my B.A. in religious studies from Hendrix College. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? My time at GarrettEvangelical has left me more confident in my call to higher education and academia. I have a passion for reading, writing, and engaging with others over challenging texts and ideas, and Garrett-Evangelical has shown me the importance and diversity of perspectives and learning styles. My time at GarrettEvangelical has also shaped my approach to being an educator and a facilitator, as I was challenged in Christian education courses and others to find my teaching and leading style. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? As a master of theological studies student, I found the thesis writing experience the most memorable experiences I have had at GarrettEvangelical. From early talks with my advisor and presenting my plan to my peers to working with the texts and incorporating feedback, my thesis created a valuable community of peers, faculty, and staff who supported this process and my own journey. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? I plan to work in the field of education in a non-profit organization. In the future, I hope to return to the academy and pursue a Ph.D. in American religious history, with the hope of eventually joining an undergraduate religious studies department as faculty. July 2016
Elizabeth Pierre
Doctor of Philosophy
What is your hometown and educational background? I am Haitian American, born and raised in New Jersey. I have a bachelor of arts degree in English and French from Wellesley College, a master of arts degree in Christian education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a master of arts degree in counseling psychology from Boston College. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? I have learned so much about how contextualization is crucial to understanding so many experiences. With my research interest in sexual violence and how it impacts Black Christian women, this is significant. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? Walks and talks with dear friends. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? My hope and prayer is that God will use this Ph.D. degree to serve in the classroom and through counseling. I really hope to do both abroad some day.
Brittany Sky
Master of Arts in Christian Education What is your hometown and educational background? I consider Oklahoma City my hometown—I was born there, attended college there, had my first full-time job there, and owned my first home there. I attended Oklahoma City University where I earned my bachelor of arts degree in religious education through the Wimberly School of Religion. How has your time at Garrett-Evangelical shaped your ministry and calling? During my time at GarrettEvangelical, my calling developed more deeply. I became more aware of Christian education in the public sphere. God calls us to teach on many platforms—at the church altar, in the Sunday school classroom, through writing and marching for moral causes, just July 2016
to name a few. My time at Garrett-Evangelical has also impressed upon me the many ways our pedagogy for Christian education can and must change. We can teach in ways that better demonstrate Christ’s love through liberative models, intercultural models, and emancipatory models of education. What is your most memorable experience at GarrettEvangelical? Choosing one is very hard. The few experiences that were most transformative were taking the Holy Land Tour with Dr. K.K. Yeo, attending the Proctor Institute for Child Advocacy with Dr. Virginia Lee and Dr. Reginald Blount, and taking the course “Teaching for Biblical Faith” with Dr. Lee on campus during a summer semester. What are your plans or your hopes for your future? For my immediate future, I plan to rest! It’s been a great, overwhelming, fantastic two years, and I need to relish in the accomplishment of getting a graduate degree before taking any major steps. I will continue my work at The United Methodist Publishing House as the senior editor of Children’s Resources, where I get to discern what resources our churches need for children and families. My big hope for the future is to do work that is meaningful, challenges me to be a better person, connects me to God, and allows me to teach others.
The 2016 Class Gift The Larry Murphy Fund for Diversity and Inclusion The Class of 2016 has established a scholarship in the name of Larry Murphy, distinguished professor of history for more than four decades at GarrettEvangelical. Because of Murphy’s commitment to all students of color and his emphasis upon the interests, rights, and needs of all people, the 2016 Class has already raised more than $4,000 toward the formation of this scholarship that will be awarded each year to underrepresented students. We applaud the vision and leadership of the Class of 2016, and we invite you to join them and support The Larry Murphy Fund for Diversity and Inclusion. To make your gift today, go to www.Garrett.edu/Giving.
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Malone and Ott Receive Distinguished Alum Awards Each year, the seminary presents distinguished alum awards at commencement to two alums who have rendered extraordinary service in their ministries. One award is given to an alum who graduated in the last 25 years, and the other award is given to an alum who graduated more than 25 years ago. This year’s awards were given to Tracy H. Smith Malone and Donald Ott. Tracy H. Smith Malone first made a conscious decision to serve in the church when she was 13 years old. Her calling led her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in religious studies at North Central College, a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary. Malone, who was elected to the United Methodist episcopacy on July 13, 2016 at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference, currently serves as the district superintendent of the Chicago Southern District and dean of the cabinet of the Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church. Prior to being appointed district superintendent, Malone served at a number of congregations in Illinois, several of which were cross-cultural appointments. Malone’s service as a pastor, district superintendent, conference delegate, and member of several boards has earned her a high level of stature and influence in both the church and her communities. She has been actively involved in Black Methodists for Church Renewal, the United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race, and the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. She joined the Garrett-Evangelical board of trustees in 2012 and is also the chairperson of the board of visitors for Garrett-Evangelical’s Center for the Church and the Black Experience. Unable to be at commencement, Malone said in her recorded remarks: “I have been equipped through my theological education, through the mentoring and coaching of the faculty, through the shared learning from my peers, and even through my campus experiences. All of what I experienced at GarrettEvangelical has prepared me to be an effective leader and pastor in the Church and the community.”
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Donald Ott, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduated from Carroll College, with a bachelor of arts degree and attended Perkins School of Theology, and the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. In 1965, he was awarded a master of divinity degree from Garrett Theological Seminary. In 1992, the North Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church elected Ott to the episcopacy. From 1992 to 2000, he was appointed to serve the Detroit and West Michigan Conferences for two consecutive terms. Prior to his election as bishop, Ott served as district superintendent in the Wisconsin Conference. He has also served as pastor of four Wisconsin congregations, while also serving five years as associate council director and three years as council director for the Wisconsin Conference. Ott’s service to the church is complemented by his service to the local communities in which he lived and served. He has been a highly valued board member of Green Bay’s Board of Family Service Association and the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families. In addition, Ott’s mission travel has included Bolivia, Japan, England, Kenya, Soviet Union (Estonia and Russia), Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Israel, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Latvia, and Lithuania. Ott joined the Garrett-Evangelical board of trustees in 1999. In 2000, Ott and his wife, Jan, established the Bishop Don and Jan Ott Scholarship at GarrettEvangelical to help students meet the financial challenges of a seminary education. In 2012, he was elected as a Garrett-Evangelical life trustee and received an honorary doctor of divinity degree from the seminary. A highly respected and effective leader, Ott expressed great humility and gratitude during his remarks, saying: “I was and am pleased that [Garrett-Evangelical] found me worthy of this award. I was and am honored that the school I loved, loves me.” In his closing words to the graduating class, he reminded everyone, “Let us live for what we hope to do and be, and be wary of recognitions of what might have been done.”
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Judge Invests in Seminary’s Future with a Planned Gift Throughout her career, Beverly Judge (GTS 1967) has done a lot of thinking about stewardship and charitable giving. She spent 35 years in New York City working for faithbased organizations and initiatives. She Beverly Judge started at Global Ministries working for its Advance program, which encouraged United Methodist churches to “go the second mile” and give to U.S. and worldwide mission projects. She later managed the Global Ministries’ Office of Field Interpretation, helping missionaries visit their supporting churches and setting up mission interpretation events throughout the country. After that, she did freelance communications work for many faithbased organizations including the American Council on Gift Annuities and the Stewardship Commission of the National Council of Churches. So, when it came time for her to create a planned gift of her own, Judge knew exactly what she wanted to do. “When we give to causes and organizations, we are making an investment as well as a charitable gift,” she explained. “Just as we try to make wise choices when we invest in stocks or bonds, we have a responsibility to invest wisely in our charitable giving.” That’s why Judge decided to invest in GarrettEvangelical. She created a planned gift through the Florida United Methodist Foundation and named Garrett-Evangelical one of its beneficiaries. Upon her death, the money will go to Garrett-Evangelical to provide scholarships for women. “I wanted to do something for my seminary,” she said. “It meant a lot to me as a student and a staff member.” Judge came to Garrett Theological Seminary after graduating from McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas, with a degree in religion. As a college student, she had wanted to be an ordained minister, but by the time she arrived at Garrett, she had decided that it was not a good fit for her.
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“I didn’t have the pioneering spirit that it would take,” she said. “This was in the early 1960s, and while it was technically possible, it was not easy.” She chose Garrett because she was looking for a seminary that offered a degree other than a master of divinity and a master of religious education. At the time, Garrett had a joint MA program with Northwestern University that allowed students to study theology from more of an academic than professional viewpoint. Judge said she loved her classes and the caring atmosphere at Garrett. She also loved the worship services in the chapel. “The music was terrific,” she said. In her final year at Garrett, Judge worked as a parttime secretary for Rocky Smith, who was dean of students at the time. “He had an immense heart,” she remembered. “The rule was that when anyone, faculty or student, walked into the office, I was to stop typing and make sure he or she had coffee and conversation. That was a challenge for me sometimes, but I did get to know a lot of people. Rocky was a special part of my seminary experience.” A year after she graduated, Judge returned to Garrett to work in the seminary’s admissions office. She stayed until she moved to New York to work for Global Ministries in 1973. While she did not have a traditional church ministry, Judge said she considered her work with all her religious-based clients a lay ministry. “Perhaps I could have made more money if I had spread my wings and worked with more secular organizations, but that is not who I was.” Judge finished her career as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Faith & Values Media in New York. Now retired and living in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Judge enjoys traveling, and she remains active in her church. She is also on the board of directors of the Florida United Methodist Foundation, where she created her planned gift. According to Judge, there is a hymn in the Presbyterian hymnal that summarizes how she views charitable giving. “We give thee but thine own, whate’er the gift may be; all that we own is thine alone, a trust, O Lord, from thee.”
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Giving to Garrett-Evangelical In its 2014-2015 report, the Council for Aid to Education named Garrett-Evangelical alums number one in giving participation for any seminary in North America. Thank you!
For the third year in a row, student borrowing is down. Such progress can only happen because of the vast network of alums and friends who support our mission to educate bold, articulate leaders for the church, academy, and our world.
HIGH FIVE
A total of 1,174 alums contributed to the seminary in the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Thirty percent of alums made a gift, compared to the national average of 9.8 percent. Alums gave a total of $776,032, representing 16 percent of the total giving.
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giving annually pays it forward
Your gift to the Annual Fund each fiscal year shows your pride in the place that helped shape who you are today, and it gives the next generation of religious leaders the same opportunity. Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Thus, we have just started the 2016-17 fiscal year.
Unrestricted giving matters
Gifts to the Annual Fund help support this fiscal year’s operating budget. The Annual Fund goal for 2016-17 is $1,130,000. Friends, in addition to alums, are encouraged to give to the Annual Fund. If you can only make one gift this year, make it to the Annual Fund.
Giving early means giving more
Giving to the Annual Fund early in the fiscal year enables the seminary to put your gift to work right away and helps ensure that we will be able to fulfill our mission. It also saves the seminary money by reducing the number of appeal letters we send out and the number of phone calls we make to encourage gifts.
Unrestricted Possibilities
Giving to the Annual Fund provides you with many choices. You can make an unrestricted gift—always a most welcome gift as it enables the seminary to use it where it is most needed. Or you can designate your Annual Fund gift to financial aid, library support, or to a program area that you care deeply about.
Small gifts matter
While we are very grateful to those who are able to make large gifts, we recognize that many of our alums and friends have limited resources. Many small gifts can make a big difference. The median gift to the Annual Fund last fiscal year was $100. More than 76% of gifts to the Annual Fund were less than $250.
Garrett.edu/giving The Seminary welcomes outright and planned gifts of all kinds. Gifts are especially needed for the Annual Fund and unrestricted endowment. To learn more about the numerous ways you can support Garrett-Evangelical, including our latest initiatives in the Forging Our Future endowment campaign, go to www.Garrett.edu/whygive.
More than Garrett-Evangelical’s planned giving program encourages giving through bequests, gift annuities, trusts, pension plans, IRAs, and insurance policies. In the 2015-2016 fiscal year, Garrett-Evangelical received more that $1.7 million in new commitments helping us grow the endowment for generations to come.
76%
of gifts to the Annual Fund are $250 or less.
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Participation matters
Many foundations want to know what percentage of alums support the seminary. Last year Garrett-Evangelical ranked #1 among seminaries, with 32% of alums supporting the seminary. This year we hope to do even better, as a high level of support from alums makes a significant difference in securing support from foundations and others.
It is easy to be a leadership donor every fiscal year
A leadership gift is any gift of $1,000 or more within the fiscal year. You can become a leadership donor by making a one-time gift of $1,000 or more, a semi-annual gift of $500 or more, a quarterly gift of $250 or more, or a monthly gift of $84 or more.
Giving monthly is a wonderful way to make a bigger impact.
Monthly gifts provide a steady stream of income and allow the donor to make smaller gifts that add up to a larger gift over the course of a year. Such gifts can be made by check, by credit card, or by electronic transfer from your bank to ours.
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The Annual Fund is the “living endowment” of the seminary. A gift of $100 to the Annual Fund is the equivalent to a $2,000 gift to the endowment. A $500 gift to the Annual Fund is equivalent to a $10,000 gift to the endowment. GarrettEvangelical would need an additional $22.6 million in endowment funds to produce the funds raised by the Annual Fund each year.
The Annual Fund is one of three ways to give.
Gifts to the seminary’s capital campaign, Forging Our Future, are designed to ensure the longterm strength of the seminary, and planned gift commitments help build the endowment for future generations. Each way of giving is essential to ensure that our students have the necessary tools and training to be transformational leaders in churches and communities around the world.
Alum News 1950s Boyd A. Blumer (ETS 1956) was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters and delivered the commencement address at Dakota Wesleyan University on May 8, 2016. A retired elder of the Dakotas Conference, Blumer has served as interim campus minister, carpenter, custodian, and adjunct professor at Dakota Wesleyan University over the last 20 years. 1970s David C. Johnson (G-ETS 1976) is the director of spiritual care and education at Carolinas Medical Center, a 900-bed level-one trauma center in Charlotte, NC. He continues to enjoy teaching pastoral care and pastoral formation to local clergy, seminary students, and those entering professional chaplaincy. He just completed his two-year term as the president of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. 1990s Tracy H. Smith Malone (G-ETS 1993), distinguished alumna and trustee, was elected as a United Methodist bishop on July 13, 2016 at the North Central Jurisdictional Conference in Peoria, IL. Smith Malone has been appointed as bishop to the East Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church beginning September 1, 2016. Sally Carpenter (G-ETS 1996) has published her fourth mystery novel, The Quirky Quiz Show Caper, through Cozy Cat Press. She also wrote chapter three of Chasing the Codex, a group mystery novel written by 24 authors. She pens the inspirational “Roots of Faith,” a monthly column for the Acorn Newspaper, based in Agoura Hills, CA. Ventra Asana (G-ETS 1999) has been elected to the board of directors of Michigan Interfaith Power and Light. The organization works with faith communities to foster dynamic methods of environmental care for the earth through education, advocacy, and action. 2000s Jesse F. Tanner (G-ETS 2005) published a new book, Dialogical Transformation: Exploring Avenues of Interreligious Dialogue as a Practice Promoting Spiritual Growth (Peeters Publishers, 2016).
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April K. McGlothin-Eller (G-ETS 2006) April McGlothin-Eller was named the chair of the Order of Deacons for the Detroit Annual Conference, effective July 1, 2016. She currently serves as director of development at Garrett-Evangelical. Laura C. Speiran (G-ETS 2008) was named chair of the board of ordained ministry for the Detroit Annual Conference, effective July 1, 2016. Speiran is the first deacon to hold this position in the conference. She currently serves as minister of congregational care at Clarkston United Methodist Church in Clarkston, MI. 2010s Jenny M. Hallenbeck Orr (G-ETS 2003) married David Orr at McCabe United Methodist Church in Bismarck, ND on January 16, 2016. Jackie E. C. (Collins) King (G-ETS 2003) and Gregory D. Gross (G-ETS 2003) were also attendants in the wedding. Melanie S. Baffes (G-ETS 2010 and 2016) published a new book, Love, Loss, and Abjection: The Journey of New Birth in the Gospel of John (Pickwick Publications, 2016). This study explores the premise that the experience of being “born from above” in John’s Gospel can be seen as mirroring the development of human subjectivity, particularly as understood through the psychoanalytic work of Julia Kristeva. Nicholas A. Grier (G-ETS 2010) will serve a postdoctoral position as a visiting professor of spiritual care and counseling at Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, CA. Grier is expected to complete his Ph.D. at Garrett-Evangelical this fall. Shonda N. Gladden (G-ETS 2011) published a new book, Becoming: Reflections on Maximizing Failures and Living into My Best Self (Good for the SOUL, 2016). Denise L. Janssen (G-ETS 2012) has written a book titled, Reclaimed: Faith in an Emerging Generation (Judson Press, 2015). This book offers insights into the question of why many young adults leave the church of their childhood—and why some of them return. Rachel J. Neer (G-ETS 2016) was named executive director of Project Transformation’s Pacific Northwest chapter, which will officially launch in January 2017.
July 2016
In Memoriam Our Christian sympathy is extended to the family and friends of the following alums who have died in Christ. Robert L. Pumfery, GTS 1968, Grand Junction, MI, died June 6, 2016.
1940s
1960s
Ernest W. Cummings, GBI 1946, Rockford, IL, died April 5, 2016.
Robert D. Paul, GBI 1960, Louisville, KY, died March 20, 2016.
William Eberhart, ETS 1949, Rapid City, MI, died September 15, 2014.
Robert H. Stine, GBI 1961, Avon, IN, died March 16, 2016.
Charles M. Sorenson, GTS 1970, Boulder, CO, died March 12, 2016.
1950s
Cecil W. Cone, GBI 1961, Tallahassee, FL, died March 31, 2016.
Roger E. Cheek, GTS 1972, Mount Morris, IL, died June 21, 2016.
Kenneth W. Kortemeier, ETS 1952, Rockford, IL, died May 11, 2016. Robert J. Lyon, GBI 1953, Olympia, WA, died April 29, 2016. E. Dale Kleinschmidt, GBI 1957, Elgin, IL, died April 20, 2016.
Bruce W. Garner, GTS 1965, Owosso, MI, died June 1, 2016. Wayne V. Lang, ETS 1966, Prescott, AZ, died March 20, 2016.
Earl Francis Lindsay, GBI 1958, West Allis, WI, died March 26, 2016.
Heinrick W. Meinhardt, ETS 1967, Oranienburg, Germany, died December 9, 2009.
James A. Craig, GBI 1959, Madison, SD, died June 1, 2016.
John Wesley Jenkins, GTS 1968, Elgin, IL, died April 21, 2016.
1970s
Eugene L. Miller, G-ETS 1978, Davenport, IA, died March 20, 2016. 1980s Donald L. Pleas, husband of alum Rev. Sylvia Pleas, G-ETS 1983, Chicago, IL, died June 17, 2016. Joan K. Hamlin, G-ETS 1985, Douglas, MI, died March 6, 2016.
Remembering Colleague and Friend David Frenchak David Frenchak, great public theologian and respected colleague, died suddenly on Sunday, May 15, 2016 from a heart attack. He and his spouse, Carol Ann McGibbon, have been partners with Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary since 2014 in helping to establish its public theology initiative. Prior to his work with Garrett-Evangelical, Frenchak retired as the founding director and president emeritus of the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) after 34 years. SCUPE, a theological education program Garrett-Evangelical has partnered with for decades, was designed to provide seminary students with opportunities to engage theory, theology, and experience in urban ministry. In addition to teaching at SCUPE, he taught at North Park University, Loyola University, Luther Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Louisville Theological Seminary, Garrett-Evangelical, and more. His recent focus, as president emeritus, was in the discipline of theology, specifically public theology. We are deeply saddened by this loss for Carol Ann, who has been not only Dave’s partner in life, but also his partner in urban ministry and theology. We also grieve this loss for Garrett-Evangelical and for the communities Frenchak spent his life serving. We will continue to “thank our God for every remembrance” of him (Philippians 1:3), and we take comfort in knowing that he ran with excellence the race set before him and that he now enjoys eternal rest in the everlasting and loving arms of God. STAY IN TOUCH
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The Class of 1966 Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry
During commencement, the classes of 1966 from Evangelical and Garrett theological seminaries reunited in celebration of their golden anniversary of graduation from seminary. On Thursday, May 12, 2016, the 50-year alums joined together for a time of fellowship, worship, and dinner with President Lallene J. Rector, trustees, and faculty. During Senior Chapel, they anointed both the graduates and their family and friends during communion, passing the mantle of ministry to the next generation.
The next day, the class was recognized by President Rector at commencement for their decades of ministry. “Evangelical and Garrett theological seminaries sent graduates out in the spring of 1966 to a world eager for Good News,” President Rector said. “Their ministries took them into nursing homes, army bases, struggling congregations, campus ministries, elementary schools, and colleges. Their ministries led them to Alaska, Germany, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, rural farms, and urban centers. They founded community service agencies, led health care initiatives, protested the Vietnam War, wrote books, and hosted radio shows.” The 50-year alums are examples of lives lived in faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition to the formal reunion activities, the reunion guests had ample opportunities for storytelling, discussions with current students, and candid photos on the campus and lakefront. The seminary will welcome members of the class of 1967 on May 11-12, 2017.