Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related seminaries and other affiliated theological schools report the following news reports as they begin a new academic year:
Auburn
Nine Presbyterians who have completed Auburn’s Program for Presbyterian Students were among the students receiving degrees at graduation from Union Seminary (N.Y.) on May 18, 2007. One was Jason Ferris, an inquirer from Vicksburg, Miss., who received Auburn’s Maxwell Fellowship for “promise of future excellence in parish ministry.” Jason came to seminary to find more resources for a career as a documentary filmmaker but now plans to serve a congregation.
Austin
Austin Seminary will host its first Karl Barth symposium, “A Church for Our World,” November 13-15. The symposium is supported by the Shirl P. Butler Endowed Fund for Barth Studies. Butler and his wife, Detta, arranged the fund for the purpose of inviting pastors to take a closer look at the theological contribution of Karl Barth. Featured speakers include Eberhard Busch (keynote speaker), Daniel Migliore, and Cynthia Rigby. Busch is professor emeritus for reformed theology and head of the Karl Barth research group in the faculty of theology at Georg-August University of Göttingen in Germany.
Columbia
Columbia increases the size of its faculty this year with the arrival of three distinguished pastor/scholars. They are Paul Huh, assistant professor of worship and director of Korean American ministries; Kim Long, assistant professor of worship and coordinator of worship resources for congregations; and Jeffery Tribble, assistant professor of ministry. The seminary is also investing in upgrades to its educational and information technology systems to enhance the classroom experience, streamline administrative processes, and facilitate communication. To lessen students’ financial burdens and enhance community life, planning has begun for a new energy-efficient residence hall.
Dubuque
On Saturday, August 4, a full cohort of students representing three denominations and 12 presbyteries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) enrolled as the inaugural class of the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary’s (UDTS) Distance Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree program. UDTS is the first seminary of the PC(USA) to offer a Master of Divinity distance education program. This five-year program allows participants to take two-thirds of the courses online, while the remaining credits are earned in residency at the Dubuque campus.
Johnson C. Smith Seminary
Johnson C. Smith is part of the Interdenominational Theological Center, a consortium of African-American seminaries representing four denominations in the greater Atlanta area. The consortium is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The President’s Chapel, with the 50th anniversary of the flag raising service, will inaugurate the new academic year.
Louisville
This fall, Louisville Seminary students will begin the 155th academic year with two new faculty members who will teach preaching and worship. Debra Mumford will lead students to develop their prophetic voices for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ through critical analysis of biblical texts, homiletic theory, and the living texts of their lives, their communities, and the world. Claudio Carvalhaes will help students understand the integration of every aspect of theological education into the study and practice of worship and preaching, and likewise, the dependence of other theological disciplines on preaching and worship.
McCormick
Christine Vogel has been named McCormick Theological Seminary’s dean of students and vice president for student affairs. She is a 1996 graduate of McCormick, where she earned her Master of Divinity degree. Her responsibilities include coordinating worship and spiritual life, coordinating seminary hospitality and developing a program of vocational planning, which includes preparation for ordination and placement. She joined the McCormick faculty in the summer of 2005 as the Jean and Frank Mohr Professor of Ministry. Prior to her appointment at the seminary, she served as Associate Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest, Ill.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary continues to encourage Master of Divinity students to pursue cross-cultural experiences. Since last summer 44 students have ventured around the globe. Students raise funds for half of the cost of the trip, and the rest is supported through donors who have established special scholarship endowments. Recent groups have traveled to Haiti, Vietnam, Russia, Ghana, Malawi, and South Africa among other lands. “Cross-cultural experiences allow us to see and share in God’s heart for the world,” said recent trip participant Kimberly Merrell, ’07.
Princeton
Gabriel Salguero, the new director of Princeton Theological Seminary’s Hispanic Leadership Program (HLP), has a vision: that Princeton Seminary will offer a comprehensive program to provide ministry to and with Latino/a American immigrant populations and second-generation Latino/a Americans, the fastest-growing population in the United States. HLP, based in Princeton with satellite programs in Newark, Paterson, and Trenton, N.J., and Philadelphia, offers theological and pastoral educational programs to clergy, CLPs, and laity who serve the Hispanic/Latino/a church and community. “We understand how culture impacts ministry,” Salguero says, “and that cultural sensitivity is needed. The Latino church has much to offer the larger church, and the world.”
San Francisco
Philip Wickeri, the Hewlett Professor of Evangelism and Mission at San Francisco Theological Seminary, recently returned from a six-week stint at the Chinese University of Hong Kong where he was one of two senior scholars serving with the Institute for Advanced Studies of Asian Cultures and Theology. Wickeri, who spent 23 years in Asia before joining the SFTS faculty, has worked with the Institute since its creation four years ago. The 20 scholars attend a one-week orientation and then spend the next five weeks presenting current research on Asian culture and theology. “Some of the most dynamic areas in Christianity right now are in Asia,” Wickeri noted, “so this institute is also a way for us to better see the Christian faith and the work of the Church around the world.”
Union — PSCE
As the new academic year begins at Union-PSCE, the seminary welcomes a new president to its two campuses in Richmond, Va., and Charlotte, N.C. With the arrival of President Brian Blount a new chapter begins in the rich history of Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education. Blount addressed students, faculty, and friends of the seminary at opening convocations in both locations. His sermon was titled, “Helicopter War.”
News from other seminaries
Colgate Rochester Crozer
Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, Rochester, New York, announces the Gene Bennett Program for Life Long Learning, a newly inaugurated program intended to provide continuing education for clergy and other professionals. It offers lectureships, symposia, certificate programs, and workshops. The program will take the resources of the divinity school out to the local community and the local church, while also inviting members of the Rochester community, both lay and ordained, to the divinity school for educational offerings of all kinds.
Harvard
Harvard Divinity School is kicking off fall 2007 with two key events: The Diversity and Explorations Program on October 24 and 25. This is a new multicultural outreach initiative to students underrepresented in graduate theological education. Visiting students will have an opportunity to learn about the purpose, value, and opportunities in graduate theological education, while meeting HDS faculty, staff, students, and alumni/ae. The second key event is Theological Education Day on November 7. This is HDS’ annual open house. Visitors attend panels and other Divinity School events, sit in on classes, and meet with faculty, students, and staff.
Luther
Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God’s world. It is the largest of the eight Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminaries. Eighteen percent of the total student body represents denominations other than the ELCA. One of the unique opportunities Luther offers is the contextual ministry education where students are placed in parish or chaplaincy programs to experience ministry while they learn. The seminary offers a life-long learning center open to all faiths, both clergy and laity, and on-line courses.
