aware magazine | october 2015

magazine October 2015

The 2014-2015 AnnuAl RepoRT

A quarterly publication of Garrett-Evangelical Theological SeminaryA quarterly publication of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

magazine October 2015

WAREWAREAA

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school that prepares skilled, bold, and articulate leaders who share the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Related to The United Methodist Church, with an ecumenical and international reach, we prepare leaders who are equipped to live and proclaim the Gospel and to teach in diverse congregations and educational settings. Our teaching and learning settings will be places of hospitality where we pursue respect and reconciliation in all encounters.

ouR Mission

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Lallene J. RectorPresident and Associate Professor of Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Psychotherapy

Rebecca J. EberhartAssociate Vice President for Enrollment Management

David L. HeetlandVice President for Development

Dale R. McClainVice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer

Erin B. MooreDirector of the President’s Office and Executive Assistant

James A. NoseworthyVice President for Administration

Luis R. RiveraVice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean

Cynthia A. WilsonAssistant Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students

FACULTY

ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF

Cheryl B. Anderson E. Byron Anderson Nancy E. Bedford Reginald Blount Gennifer B. Brooks Barry E. Bryant Jaeyeon Lucy Chung Charles H. CosgroveAngela R. Cowser Julie A. Duncan

Timothy R. Eberhart Mark A. Fowler David A. Hogue Pamela J. Holliman Wonhee Anne Joh Anna M. JohnsonKarla M. Kincannon Virginia A. LeeG. Brooke Lester James L. Papandrea

Hendrik R. Pieterse Stephen G. Ray, Jr. Lallene J. Rector Luis R. RiveraFrederick W. Schmidt Jack L. Seymour Mark R. Teasdale Osvaldo D. Vena Brent P. WatersKhiok-Khng Yeo

Barbara B. Adams Jacqueline AzpeitiaRichard C. Barker II Lynn Berg Kevin J. BlazekStephanie Bliese Bonnie S. Brantley Elizabeth P. CampbellEduardo CancholaJean R. Crawford Kenneth EhrmanJason M. GillZdravko Grahovac

Tércio JunkerDébora JunkerMahalakshmi Khallapiraan Wendy H. KneerKathleen M. Kordesh Cheryl L. LarsenLinda LeeAndrea M. Leftwich Drazen LovrinovicApril McGlothin-EllerW. Vincent McGlothin-Eller Krista J. McNeil J. Lauren Mondala

Mechelle Moore Robert J. MorrisShane A. Nichols Joseph A. Oliphant Benjamin Reynolds Mary-Carol E. Riehs Kimberly Russaw Judith C. Russell Tanya J. SaeedTasha SargentTina N. Shelton Brian E. Smith Robert H. Sutton

FACULTY EMERITIDiane M. Capitani Hwa-Young Chong Stephanie Perdew VanSlykeDiane W. HogueRené Such Schreiner

Phyllis A. Bird Alva R. Caldwell Donald F. Chatfield Margaret Ann Crain Ruth C. DuckDwight H. JudyTaylor McConnell Larry G. Murphy James N. PolingRosemary Radford Ruether

K. James SteinRichard TholinBarbara B. Troxell Kenneth L. VauxDwight W. Vogel Linda J. VogelJames E. Will Douglas E. WingeierHenry J. Young

AFFILIATE FACULTY

ADMINISTRATION EMERITIPhilip A. Amerson Neal F. Fisher Adolf Hansen

Aware Magazine | Annual Report 3

Lallene J. Rector President and Associate Professor of Psychology

of Religion and Pastoral Psychotherapy

2014-2015 AnnuAl RepoRT

It has been more than a year and a half since I assumed the presidency at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. The seminary finds itself in a historic moment when increasing social change in the world

necessitates intentional responses from the Church and corresponding shifts in the way

we engage theological education. Like so many of you, I have been angered and deeply disturbed by the continuing violence against our Black brothers and sisters, as well as by the horrific religious violence all around the world. With particular interest in the implications for our community, I followed the news regarding LGBTQ rights at both the state and national levels, including the Supreme Court decision to legalize same sex marriage. I also have felt an increasing need to carefully steward the seminary’s rich resources to ensure future generations will continue to have the opportunity to prepare transformative Christian leaders. In this broad context, we began the 2014-2015 academic year with four institutional priorities:

1. Public Theology 2. Inclusivity3. Racial and Cultural Competence 4. Sustainable Theological Education Model

The seminary has made significant strides in each one of these areas, and we invite you to learn more in the following pages.

4 Aware Magazine | Annual Report

The prophet Amos cried out to his contemporaries to hate evil, to love good, and to promote justice at the city gate (Amos 5:15). We would do well in our own day to heed this admonition. We want our graduates to function as public theologians in their communities. As I shared in an April 2014 blog post, “Being a public theologian means being able to bring the resources of our faith to the public square with concern for ‘the common good.’ This kind of collaboration with others for the wellbeing of all increases our impact on issues of homelessness, violence in our communities, poverty, hunger, unemployment, immigration justice, health care, sustainability of our environment, access to quality education, etc.”

We hosted three public theology lectures in the 2014-2015 academic year. I was delighted to welcome Janet Wolf from the Children’s Defense Fund and director of Haley Farm and Nonviolent Organizing; Mark Taylor, Maxwell M. Upson professor of theology and culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, who was also a visiting scholar last fall; and David Frenchak, president emeritus and founding director of Seminary Consortium of Urban Pastoral Education.

In 2015-2016, we continue this lecture series and focus on racial equity and diversity inclusion and seek to provide education and support for religious leaders committed to promoting understanding, dialogue, and justice in their communities (To learn more about the 2015-2016 Public Theology Lecture Series, go to www.garrett.edu/publictheology). In addition, Frenchak is teaching two public theology courses in the 2015-2016 academic year, both with a racial and anti-violence focus. We will integrate a more formal and intentional approach to this kind of preparation for public theological leadership as we work through the new curriculum revision. n

The Bible is filled with many messages. The meaning of some are less obvious and more difficult to discern, but other messages are clear and understood by everyone. The ministry of Jesus is replete with images and directives for inclusion. I turn to the simplicity of Mark 12:31, “Love your neighbor as yourself” or to Matthew 25:40, “... inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.” At Garrett-Evangelical, we have promised not to discriminate against students based on race, sex, religion, age, and sexuality. By implication, we should not discriminate in these ways against anyone in our community. This declaration has not been revisited since 1997, in spite of the fact that we have witnessed so much change in the past 18 years. A team of faculty, staff, students, and trustees will be reviewing these statements.

During one of my “Conversations with President Rector” student meetings this past year, we discussed LGBTQ inclusivity and the challenges of leading healthy sexual lives in ministry. I was moved by the genuine concern of the students about feeling safe in the classroom regardless of sexual orientation and their desire to feel welcomed and affirmed within our community. This is a minimum baseline of hospitality and welcome that all students should be able to expect.

In addition to this conversation, I met with Sacred Worth, the LGBTQ and allies student group on campus. I appreciated students taking time to share their thoughts and experiences with me. Sacred Worth has been a long-standing student organization. In the 2014-2015 academic year, students have brought new life to the group and have made a significant effort to advocate for these concerns within our community.

In the spring, we began a series of Circle of Trust conversations led by Gregory Eaton, trustee and alum, and Bonnie Allen, alum. The Circles of Trust were

PUBLIC THEOLOGY INCLUSIVITY

2014-2015 AnnuAl RepoRT (ConTinued)


developed by Parker Palmer and The Center for Courage and Renewal. Nearly 70 individuals participated in four groups of 15-25, comprised of trustees, students, faculty, and staff. Eaton and Allen submitted a report of findings with a set of recommendations for how we may move forward with this concern. The board of trustees affirmed the recommendations at its meeting in May, and I look forward to sharing more as our work progresses. n

Our student body is diverse, and we continue to strive to represent in our community the reality of the world our graduates will be serving. This past fall, I met with Garrett-Evangelical Black Seminarians (G-EBS) and the Asian/Asian American students. Students shared the numerous ways they sometimes feel marginalized and/or not welcomed within the Garrett-Evangelical community. I also met with our international students, and they echoed similar experiences. I am pleased we have welcomed a new director of international student affairs, Débora Junker, originally from Brazil. Her appointment is timely, given the emerging emphasis in global awareness in theological education and the need for a greater understanding of global Christianity.

In the spring, I met with the Black faculty, and they shared several areas of concern including the need to hire more Black faculty. We are beginning a renewed search for a mid-career, Black colleague in pastoral theology and pastoral care and counseling. Admissions continues an intentional recruitment strategy for Black students. It is evident we need greater awareness and training to ensure sensitivity for the needs of our multi-cultural and racially/ethnically diverse community. The Leadership Team identified potential consultants to assess our current practices related to racial equity and diversity inclusion and to provide recommendations for how we can improve these dimensions of our life together. We

have interviewed consultants from the Racial Equity Program, designed and implemented by the YWCA of Evanston. We anticipate beginning the assessment work this fall. I am impressed by the YWCA’s approach and the formation of a new, standing committee of faculty, staff, students, and alums to keep the school accountable in an ongoing way to these commitments.

Finally, we are extremely pleased that Garrett-Evangelical was chosen by the Forum for Theological Exploration to be one of five theological schools included in its first cohort of an Institutional Doctoral Network Program supporting faculty and doctoral students of color. Our invitation to apply and our selection were both based on recognition of the diverse embodiment already present in our students and faculty. n

Last year, Dale R. McClain, vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer, shared the concept of generational stewardship with the Leadership Team. Generational stewardship is the commitment to care for our resources in order to ensure a strong and healthy seminary for future generations. At Garrett-Evangelical, we are blessed to have a large endowment and the gifts of time, talent, and treasure from so many. It is important for us to steward these resources wisely.

In the late fall of 2014, we officially began our work on the Sustainable Theological Education Model. It included four areas of focus:

1. Business Operations 2. Academic Affairs 3. External Programs4. Special Projects

This work was folded into our strategic plan, and we continue to make progress. n

RACIAL & CULTURAL COMPETENCE

SUSTAINABLE THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION MODEL


In addition to addressing these four priorities, there are three other critically important initiatives in which we have been engaged: curriculum revision, religious life review, and strategic planning.

Curriculum RevisionAcademic Dean Luis R. Rivera and members of the faculty have been hard at work on a curriculum revision since spring 2014. What we teach and how we teach it is directly related to why students choose Garrett-Evangelical for their theological education. Such a revision is subject to the pressure of various expectations from different quarters. It must be responsive to contemporary needs of the church and the world for relevant, effective leadership. It must speak to current manifestations of God’s calling upon our students’ lives. It must provide a foundation grounded in the traditions of the Christian heritage, and it must also meet accreditation criteria. An update on their recent work will be provided at the fall board of trustees meeting. n

Religious LifeThe current pattern of worship at the seminary has been in place for 13 years. Three weekly services reflecting different worship styles (traditional, gospel, and contemporary) had an average attendance of 30-35 persons including worship leaders and choir members. In spring 2014, I called for a review of our religious life and worship patterns. We have completed two surveys of the community, and Garrett-Evangelical representatives visited several vibrant seminary chapel programs around the country.

In December and May, I gathered a representative group of faculty, staff, students, and alums for religious life meetings to consider the history and rationale of our worship patterns, as well as to discuss findings from the surveys and other seminary visits. As part of this group’s work in the 2015-2016 academic year, we are trying a new pattern of worship with one weekly community worship service highlighting different styles of worship along with several shorter services throughout the week. Finally, we welcomed Tércio Junker as the new dean of the chapel in July, and look forward to his expertise in and commitment to creating meaningful multi-cultural worship. n

Strategic PlanningSince January 2014, I have made it a priority to spend time listening to various constituencies. In addition to

my efforts, members of the leadership team have also spent time listening. In the fall, the leadership team and I identified key areas of focus for a strategic plan. Based on this and at the request of the board of trustees, we launched a strategic planning process in April that focused on seven areas:

1. Special projects2. Robust and diverse student enrollment3. Relevant curriculum, competent faculty, and

transformative religious leaders4. Valued employees 5. Meaningful and collaborative work environment

for all persons6. Creative partnerships with clergy, laity, churches,

colleges, and seminaries7. Strong endowment and sustainable business

model

We formed teams consisting of students, faculty, staff, and trustees. They met during the spring and summer, and multiple opportunities for feedback were provided throughout the process. The plan will be announced publicly following the board of trustees approval. n

Looking AheadI am encouraged by the enormous strides we have made this year. As I look ahead to 2015-2016, my priorities include:

1. Developing public theology further through our commitment to environmental sustainability, racial and anti-violence work, and child advocacy

2. Continuing attention to our racial/ethnic life together and increasing our cultural competence

3. Engaging new patterns of worship for chapel 4. Implementing our strategic plan

Finally, I give thanks to God for the steadfast work of our Leadership Team, staff, faculty, students, trustees, and alums. The giftedness of “Team Garrett” is embedded in everything the school has accomplished. May we “Sing praises to God” (Psalm 47:6) for the blessings bestowed upon Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. n

Nondenominational: 4%

2014-2015 AnnuAl RepoRT (ConTinued)


Student enrollment Summary StudentS entering in 2014-2015

denominational information field education

StudentS by region

173432543781312

132

420

Master of DivinityMaster of ArtsMaster of Theological StudiesDoctor of MinistryDoctor of PhilosophyBGTS/Deacon StudiesUMC CertificationAdvanced Course of StudySpecial Students

Total Enrollment

42%58%

62%19%11%3%2%2%1%

144

MaleFemale

WhiteAfrican-American/BlackAsianHispanicTwo or MoreUnknownAmerican Indian/Alaskan Native

New Students

UMC: 64%

Lutheran: 3%

Presbyterian: 4%Nondenominational: 4%

Baptist: 7%

Pan-Methodist: 7%

76% participated in a church placement [33 other denominations are also represented.]

16% health-related chaplaincy and clinical pastoral education (CPE)

2% university chaplaincy6% non-profit settings

In 2014-2015, 83 students participated in a field education placement.

Midwest: 65%

Northeast: 2%

Southeast: 10%Southwest: 5%

Northwest: 3%

Fifteen percent of our students represent the countries of Armenia, Congo, Ghana, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Malawi, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, North Korea, and South Korea.

2014-2015 sTudenT Body: FACTs And FiguRes


developMenT And FinAnCiAl highlighTs

Gifts to Current OperationsGifts to current operations reached a record high in 2014-2015. Contributing to this record high was a $500,000 gift from Lilly Endowment Inc. as a part of its Initiative to Strengthen the Quality of Preaching. The grant will be used to build on the ongoing work of the Styberg Preaching Institute to improve pedagogy at the seminary, enhance the work of the Institute for practicing preachers, and develop teachers of preaching. n

Gifts to Forging Our Future: The Final LapGarrett-Evangelical has made great progress on the seminary’s $100 million Forging Our Future campaign, with commitments growing from $78.4 million on June 30, 2014 to $90.7 million on June 30, 2015. These commitments are designated as follows:

Unrestricted SupportGarrett-Evangelical is extremely fortunate to have surpassed its original goal of $45 million in unrestricted support, with a total of $46.2 million received as of June 30, 2015. We hope that unrestricted support will continue to grow in the final lap of the campaign, as unrestricted gifts give the seminary the greatest flexibility to address new and emerging goals and to stay on the cutting edge of theological education.

Scholarship SupportGarrett-Evangelical has received $34.5 million toward its $40 million goal for endowed scholarships. Several new scholarships have been started this year by alums, friends, and churches. Many gifts have also been received for existing scholarships.

Faculty SupportGarrett-Evangelical has received $7.8 million toward its $12 million goal for endowed faculty support.We hope to reach the $12 million goal before the conclusion of the campaign by endowing at least two more faculty chairs.

Program Support Garrett-Evangelical has received $2.1 million toward its $3 million goal for endowed program support.

Myron McCoy is chairing a CBE endowment committee, with a goal to raise at least $1 million to enhance the viability and visibility of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience. Successfully reaching CBE’s goal will put the program support goal over the top. n

Planned Gift Commitments

A record amount—$9,291,672—has been received in new planned gift commitments this year. This means that the seminary has also achieved a new record high for estimated future planned gift expectancies—a total of $43,865,934. This bodes well for the future of Garrett-Evangelical as it should mean a steady stream of planned gift income over the coming decades. n

Investment Performance

Our financial position continues to be strong, although investment returns for the past year were well below expectations as the markets reacted to global concerns. Our investment portfolio reflects a strategy that focuses on long-term return rather than short-term performance. The portfolio experienced a (1.8 percent) investment loss during the fiscal year after generating an exceptional 17.3 percent return in the preceding year. Our five- and ten-year investment returns of 10.4 percent and 6.3 percent, respectively, both exceeded our investment benchmarks. n

Financial Highlights

Last year, we introduced our commitment to “Generational Stewardship.” We are working toward a sustainable business model where revenues are sufficient to cover operating expenses, maintenance and replacement capital, and an endowment draw which preserves the purchasing power of the endowment. We are pleased to report in the first year of our effort that total expenses have declined by $1.3 million, or 7.7 percent, to $15.5 million for the year ending on June 30, 2015. While much work remains to be done, we are also committed to seeking opportunities for new programs to meet the changing needs our students and communities face. n

We are grateful for the many alums, friends, trustees, churches, foundations, and corporations who have supported Garrett-Evangelical this year with their prayers, wise counsel, and generous financial gifts. The

following is an update on the three areas of gift support, our investments, and financial highlights.


FoRging ouR FuTuRe endowMenT CAMpAign

Campaign Component Goal Commitments to Date Percent of Goal

$ 45,000,000

$ 40,000,000

$ 12,000,000

$ 3,000,000

$100,000,000

Unrestricted(including facility renovation)

Faculty support

Program support

Total

$ 46,221,779

$ 34,560,873

$ 7,789,825

$ 2,146,867

$ 90,719,344

Scholarship support

102.7%

86.4%

64.9%

71.6%

90.7%

Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Gift Sources and Totals

Alum supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Trustee supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Friend supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Foundation supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

(1,274 donors)$ 200,776$ 602,781$ 803,557

(53 donors)$ 180,352$ 511,554$ 691,906

(1,002 donors)$ 156,609$ 742,706$ 899,315

(14 donors)$ 683,618$ 196,729$ 880,347

Planned gift supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Corporate supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Church supportCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

Grand TotalCurrent operationsCapital giftsTotal

(16 donors)$ 6,450$ 10,653$ 17,103

(76 donors)$1,531,751$ 53,931$1,585,682

(30 donors)$ 20,613$ 915,756$ 936,369

(2,465 donors)$2,780,169 $3,034,110$5,814,279

The $100 Million Endowed Campaign for Garrett-Evangelical Update as of June 30, 2015

Robert Fuquay is the senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before coming to St. Luke’s, he served as senior pastor of Williamson’s Chapel United

Methodist Church in Mooresville, North Carolina, a 2,000-plus member

church with an average attendance of more than 1,200 each Sunday. Prior to that, he led growing congregations in a variety of settings. He is known for his strong preaching, leadership, and vision.

Fuquay graduated from Pfeiffer College (now Pfeiffer University) in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in religion and from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology in 1987 with a master of divinity degree. He has been a featured presenter at SOULfeast, an annual retreat sponsored by The Upper Room and recently helped Bishop Scott Jones publish a new curriculum called the Wesleyan Way: Faith That Matters. He is also the author of The God We Can Know, a small group study published by The Upper Room. n

Andrew Vorbrich is a partner at Lennon, Miller, O’Connor & Bartosiewicz, P.L.C. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He helps his clients protect, preserve, and pass the assets they accumulate

through comprehensive estate planning, estate administration,

corporate and business representation, and creditors’ rights litigation. One of his strengths is researching and writing on complex legal issues. Vorbrich serves as the Chancellor of the West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church representing Bishop Debra Lieder Kiesey and The United Methodist Churches in the west half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.

Vorbrich graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania where he majored in history. He also graduated with high distinction from the University of Iowa College of Law. He is a

member of Phi Beta Kappa and The Order of the Coif honor societies. Vorbrich has served as president of the Kalamazoo County Trial Lawyers Association, president of the Downtown Kiwanis Club, and chair of Gryphon Place. He works with Open Doors Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo County Bar Association in addition to being active in First United Methodist Church of Kalamazoo, where he teaches Sunday school, serves on various committees, and sings tenor in the choir. n

Roxane White has spent the last 30 years leading non-profit and governmental entities. She is currently the CEO of Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), which provides services to low-income

mothers in 43 states and more than $350 million in home-based

services each year. As CEO, White spearheads the growth of NFP to serve more vulnerable families across the country through a reduction in health care and child welfare costs and identifies opportunities for innovation, operating efficiencies, and public-private partnerships.

Prior to joining NFP, White was chief of staff and executive director of Denver Human Services to Mayor John Hickenlooper, who was elected governor of Colorado in 2010. She continued as chief of staff through the governor’s first term. In this role, she was responsible for all departments and fiscal operations. Before that, she spent many years developing programs in California and Colorado for homeless and runaway youth. She is known for her management of large, complex organizations, working with multiple locations, merging and streamlining organizations, and her focus on outcomes.

White graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary with a master in divinity in 1989 and from San Francisco State University with a master of social work in 1992. White earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. n


Garrett-Evangelical welcomes Robert Fuquay, Andrew Vorbrich, Roxane White, William F. White, and O. Douglas Worthington to its board of trustees.

Five new MeMBeRs Join BoARd oF TRusTees


William F. White is an attorney and senior partner in the Madison, Wisconsin law office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP and a member of the firm’s Transactional Practice Group.

His areas of concentration include real estate development, land use,

and general corporate issues. He serves as general counsel and principal legal advisor for a wide variety of business clients, including clients in the construction, retail/wholesale, and health care fields, and not-for-profit tax-exempt organizations. As principal advisor to these organizations, White acts as the point-of-entry for the legal services and acts as lead attorney in significant corporate activities. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois and the Antioch School of Law.

White has a special relationship with Garrett-Evangelical as his father, William D. White, was an alum of the seminary, pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Chicago, and a trustee of the seminary for many years. White and his family created a scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical in memory of his father. n

O. Douglas Worthington is a financial consultant working for a number of non-profit entities. Some of his clients have included the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Embassy

Theatre, the M.L. King Montessori School, Hospice, and Arts United,

among others. He also works part time for Early Childhood Alliance as their CFO. Before that, Worthington taught at Taylor University and worked at Lincoln National Corporation, holding many positions, including CFO and vice president for the life and annuity operations.

Worthington has served in many capacities in the local church including chair of the Finance and the Staff Pastor Parish committees and a delegate to Annual Conference. He served as a delegate to the 2012 General and North Central Jurisdictional Conferences and will also be a delegate to the 2016 Conferences. He has served both as chair of the North Indiana Foundation and as the chair of the Finance committee. n

The Howard and Shirley Benson Unrestricted Endowment FundThe Judith M. Bunyi ScholarshipThe Class of 1965 ScholarshipThe Tom Corum ScholarshipThe Charley Hames, Jr. ScholarshipThe John H. Hice ScholarshipThe Mel Luetchens Scholarship

The Alka Lyall ScholarshipThe David and Carol McClintock Field Education InternshipThe St. David Episcopal Church Field Education FundThe Cerna Castro Rand ScholarshipThe Adriel and Avis Thrash ScholarshipThe Yeo Chung-Lee and Lim Seng-Hoi Scholarship

leAving A legACy

We give thanks for the following endowed funds which were established this past fiscal year, recognizing that they are legacies to future generations of students preparing for ministry.

In the 2014-2015 academic year, Garrett-Evangelical awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships. However, the need for endowed scholarships remains to ensure that all students called to ministry have access to a quality seminary education. To learn more about establishing an endowed scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical, contact David Heetland, vice president for development, at [email protected] or 847.866.3970.


The yeAR in Review: 2014-2015 highlighTs

Faculty and Students Led United Methodist Church in National Christian Education Conference

July 2014 - Professors, doctoral students, and alums of Garrett-Evangelical presented at the 2014 conference for Christians Engaged in Faith Formation. Three faculty members and four current PhD students offered lectures and workshops at the conference and seven alums presented or served as Design Team members. n

Gennifer B. Brooks, Ernest and Bernice Styberg Professor of Preaching at Garrett-Evangelical, Installed as Dean of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools DMin in Preaching Program

July 2014 - Gennifer B. Brooks was installed as Dean of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools DMin in Preaching program on July 9 at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Known for demanding that her preaching students deliver the Good News in every sermon, Brooks did just that in her installation sermon titled, “You Feel Me?” Brooks is the Ernest and Bernice Styberg professor of preaching and director of the Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett-Evangelical. n

2014 Academic Convocation Featuring Stephen Lewis of the Forum for Theological Exploration

September 2014 - The 2014 Academic Convocation was held on September 3, 2014 in the Chapel of the Unnamed Faithful. Stephen Lewis, president of the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE), delivered the convocation address titled, “Start Boldly, Lead Differently.” Lewis, an ordained Baptist minister, joined FTE in 2003 and was named president in 2011. n

Socially Sanctioned Violence Since the Election of President Barack Obama

September 2014 - Sponsored by the Asian/Asian-American Center for Ministries, five renowned religious scholars came together for a panel discussion on socially sanctioned violence since President Barack Obama took office. The discussion explored theological and religious perspectives on violence in its various forms. Panelists included: Rita Nakashima Brock, Michael Elias Andraos, Rufus Burnett, and Randall C. Bailey. n

Jerre and Mary Joy Stead Commit $15 Million to the Forging Our Future Campaign

October 2014 - At the fall 2014 board of trustees meeting, Jerre and Mary Joy Stead of Scottsdale, Arizona officially kicked off The Final Lap of the seminary’s Forging Our Future campaign with an additional commitment to their earlier commitments in Phase One, Two, and Three of the campaign. Their earlier commitments totaled $6 million, and their most recent commitment is for another $9 million—the largest single gift in the seminary’s history—bringing their total commitment to this campaign to $15 million. n

New Residential Hybrid Course of Study School

October 2014 - Garrett-Evangelical’s Course of Study School (COS) now offers courses in a new residential hybrid format, continuing its commitment to honoring traditional methods of instruction while also embracing new emerging technologies. Each of the 20 English-language COS courses are now structured to allow students to engage faculty and one another through five hours of online learning and 15 hours on campus. n


Garrett-Evangelical Hosts Listening Session Sponsored by the Committee on Native American Ministries of the Northern Illinois Conference

November 2014 - In response to the call to the larger Church to be in community with native peoples around the globe, the Northern Illinois Conference (NIC) began a process of change and growth called “Acts of Repentance.” Sponsored by the Committee on Native American Ministries of the NIC, this listening session held at Garrett-Evangelical explored education, in particular theological education and education by media sources. Participants heard where education has been considered a source of harm and strength, especially when educational institutions challenge traditional pedagogies. n

A Celebration of the Graduates of the PhD Program in Christian Education and Congregational Studies at Garrett-Evangelical in the Last 25 Years on the Occasion of the Retirement of Jack Seymour

November 2014 - The Educating for Redemptive Community gathering was an opportunity to honor Garrett-Evangelical graduates’ service to the church and the academy by celebrating the legacy of Christian education at Garrett-Evangelical and professor of religious education, Jack Seymour’s significant contributions to the field. The focus of this conversation was on how faith communities work toward redemptive community.

Featured speakers included: Dori Baker, Reginald Blount, Margaret Ann Crain, Denise Janssen, Virginia Lee, and Mai-Anh Le Tran. n Lilly Endowment Awards $500,000 Preaching Initiative Grant to Garrett-Evangelical

December 2014 - Garrett-Evangelical was awarded a grant of $500,000 by the Lilly Endowment Inc. as a part of its Initiative to Strengthen the Quality of Preaching. Garrett-Evangelical will build on the ongoing work of its Styberg Preaching Institute to improve pedagogy at the seminary, enhance the work of the institute through peer learning groups for active pastors, and develop teachers of preaching through a teaching fellowship in the area of homiletics. n

Staff, Faculty, and Students March Through Evanston in Protest of Grand Jury Decisions

December 2014 - More than 30 protestors from Garrett-Evangelical began marching on a Monday morning at the intersection of Chicago Avenue and Sheridan Road, near the Northwestern University arch. Protestors were responding to the decisions by grand juries in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York to not indict White police officers who shot unarmed Black men. They carried signs that read, “Black Lives Matter,” and “Christ Can’t Breathe.” They also chanted, “Christ can’t breathe,” and “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Police diverted traffic around the scene, giving leeway to a peaceful protest, according to Evanston Police Commander Jay Parrott. n

Faculty Issue Public Statement on the Recent Killings of Unarmed Black People

December 2014 - On December 8, 2014, the Garrett-Evangelical faculty met to draft a statement concerning the national crisis generated by the multiple incidents of killing of Black men by White police officers. This statement was developed in a collegial spirit through dialogue and a consensus process that enabled each person present to give voice and to be heard. Faculty members who could not be present were given the opportunity to endorse the statement once it was drafted. In addition, those present at the meeting pledged themselves to a process of continuing dialogue as they discern further ways to embody, practice, and be accountable to the commitments named in the statement.

To read the faculty statement in full, visit us online at www.garrett.edu/news. n


The yeAR in Review: 2014-2015 highlighTs

Center for the Church and the Black Experience Celebrates 2015 Black History Month

February 2015 - The Center for the Church and the Black Experience (CBE) sponsored a number of events in February 2015 to celebrate Black History Month. Loyce E. Spells II, Evanston police officer and reverend of the House of Prayer at Evanston (HOPE), preached a sermon during chapel titled, “The Inheritance of Peacemaking.” Later in the week, Spells offered a presentation, “The DNA of Peacemakers.” CBE also hosted a special chapel service with Robert Biekman, senior pastor of Maple Park United Methodist Church. His sermon was titled, “Missing in Action.” n

Garrett-Evangelical Recognized by the Center for Faith and Service in its 2015 Listing of Seminaries that Change the World

February 2015 - Garrett-Evangelical was honored to be selected for the 2015 list of Seminaries that Change the World by the Center for Faith and Service. Garrett-Evangelical is one of twenty-six theologically, politically, and geographically diverse institutions named to this list who share a common commitment to work together to advance theological education. n

Tending the Seminarium: Garrett-Evangelical Hosts Chicago Seminary Gathering

February 2015 - Chicago-area seminary faculty, administrators, staff, and students gathered at Garrett-Evangelical to talk about the ways in which their campuses can integrate creation care into community practices, student life, and curriculum. The five Chicagoland Seminary Stewardship Alliance schools

in attendance were Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, North Park Theological Seminary, Northern Seminary, and Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary. n

30th Anniversary of Pacific Asian and North American Asian Women in Theology and Ministry

March 2015 - Garrett-Evangelical was honored to host the 30th anniversary of the Pacific Asian and North American Asian Women in Theology and Ministry (PANAAWTM). The festivities began with a public dinner and panel discussion. Participants heard from representatives Joanne Rodriguez, director the Hispanic Theological Initiative; Stephen Lewis of the Forum for Theological Exploration; Frank Yamada, president of McCormick Theological Seminary; Jeffrey Kuan, president of Claremont School of Theology; Mary Elizabeth Moore, dean of Boston University School of Theology; and President Lallene J. Rector. n

Stead Center Conference: Re-Imagining the Intersection of Evolution and the Fall

March 2015 - Garrett-Evangelical’s Stead Center for Ethics and Values, the Colossian Forum, and BioLogos sponsored a three-day conference titled, “Re-Imagining the Intersection of Evolution and the Fall.” Speakers included: William Cavanaugh, DePaul University; Celia Deane-Drummond, University of Notre Dame; Darrel Falk, Point Loma Nazarene University; Joel Green, Fuller Theological Seminary; Peter Harrison, University of Queensland; J. Richard Middleton, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College; Aaron Riches, Instituto de Filosofía ‘Edith Stein,’ Granada, Spain; James K.A. Smith, Calvin College; Brent Waters, Garrett-Evangelical; and Norman Wirzba, Duke Divinity School. n


More than 80 United Methodist Deacons and Deacon Candidates Attend Deacon Dialogue 2015

April 2015 - Garrett-Evangelical hosted the 2015 Deacon Dialogue on April 16-18, 2015 and more than 80 United Methodist deacons and deacon candidates attended. This year’s conference focused on ministries of Compassion and Justice and featured three remarkable keynote speakers: Romal Tune, communicator, award-winning author, community strategist, and education consultant; E. Louise Williams, executive director emeritus of the Lutheran Deaconess Association; and Darryl Stephens, director of United Methodist studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Bishop Sally Dyck of the Northern Illinois Conference preached at the opening worship service. n

Award-Winning Journalist and Best-Selling Author, Alex Kotlowitz Delivers Keynote Address at Garrett-Evangelical’s 158th Commencement

May 2015 - For more than 20 years, Alex Kotlowitz has been exploring issues of race and poverty in America. His book, There Are No Children Here: The Story of Two Boys Growing Up in the Other America (Doubleday, 1991) gained national recognition for its compassionate and unflinching portrait of Pharoah and Lafeyette Rivers and their lives growing up in a public housing project in inner city Chicago. Kotlowitz’s 2011 documentary, The Interrupters—a collaboration with Hoop Dreams director/producer Steve James—debuted to much acclaim at the Sundance Film Festival and appeared as a two-hour special on Frontline. His keynote address at Garrett-Evangelical’s 158th Commencement was titled, “Tell Me a Story.” n

Rigert and Phillips Named 2015 Distinguished Alum

May 2015 - Franz S. Rigert and Samuel Phillips were named the 2015 Distinguished Alums at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s 158th Commencement on May 15, 2015. Each year, Garrett-Evangelical chooses two alums to be honored. One alum is chosen from the most recent 25 years of graduates, and one is chosen from alums who graduated more than 25 years ago. n

Garrett-Evangelical Among the First Selected for FTE’s Institutional Doctoral Network

May 2015 - The Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE) has selected Garrett-Evangelical to participate in the first cohort of FTE’s Institutional Doctoral Network. Cohort members will join a learning community that explores how theological schools and doctoral programs may create institutional conditions where scholars and graduate students of color can thrive. Schools were selected by a committee of organizational leaders and academic executives. n

Garrett-Evangelical Launches New Doctor of Ministry in Community Organizing Degree

June 2015 - Garrett-Evangelical is launching a new Doctor of Ministry (DMin) track in community organizing. This program will train and equip clergy and community leaders with the knowledge and skills to analyze the power dynamics within a community, develop strategic relationships, and direct and focus the physical, theological, spiritual, and moral energies of the people within a community to create extraordinary changes for good. The first cohort for the DMin in Community Organizing begins January 2016. n

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Forging Our Future: The Final LapGarrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has been at the forefront of Christian theological thought, evangelical outreach, and social action for more than 160 years. Still, our work is only beginning. In order to remain strong and attract and educate the very best leaders for tomorrow’s church, your help is needed. We encourage you to consider a pacesetting gift for the final stage of our $100 million campaign, Forging Our Future: The Final Lap.

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aware magazine | october 2015

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