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150th graduating class serving first ministry calls

by Louisville Seminary | Aug 20, 2003

Since graduating from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary on May 18, 2003, 28 members of the 150th graduating class earning Master-level degrees are already serving in ministerial calls and placements. Of the 63 total graduates, the largest graduating class in five years, with the largest number of Doctor of Ministry degrees awarded since 1980, 46% are of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and 12% are United Methodists. Other graduates represent Southern Baptist, Non-denominational, American Baptist and Disciples of Christ Churches. Thirty-four are women and twenty-nine are men.

Ceremonies were held at Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church, where the following degrees were conferred: Master of Divinity (36), Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (12), Master of Arts in Religion (1), Master of Theology (2) and Doctor of Ministry (12). In the Seminary’s non-degree programs, certificates in homiletic supervision were granted to two individuals, and one individual received a certificate in pastoral counseling supervision. Seven students in the Commissioned Lay Pastor Program received diplomas in pastoral studies.

During the Commencement exercises, the Seminary’s Devoted Service Award was presented to President of Auburn Theological Seminary Barbara G. Wheeler, who urged the graduates to imagine their ministerial vocations in retrospect as she shared three truths they would learn during their ministerial careers in her address Looking Back. The award, which recognizes individuals for their commitment and service in the life of the church, was also presented to two Synod moderators: Mr. Ernest Nolan Waller, a retired university administrator and Sunday school teacher who serves the Synod of Living Waters, and Rev. Maetta Murdock Snyder, senior pastor of Westminster United Presbyterian Church in Emporia, Kans., serving the Synod of Mid-America.

In addition to these awards, several graduates were recognized for their achievements in designated fields:

Charles F. Pye received The Alumni/ae Award for the Outstanding Graduating Senior, which honors the graduate who excels in all facets of his or her education and potential for ministry.

Kathryn Anne Allen received The Bernice Bean and Gladys Kendall Prize, which is presented to the graduate who, in the judgment of the faculty, has demonstrated a superior record of academic achievement.

Meredith White-Zeager received The George and Jean Edwards Award in the Interpretation of Scripture to Christian Life, which recognizes the ability of a student to relate Scripture to critical issues confronting the church and society, especially in areas of peace and justice.

Marie Y. Hanselman received The Field Education Award, which is provided by the Presbyterian Women of St. Andrew Presbytery. It is given to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding accomplishments in his or her field education placements while maintaining a “B” average in other course work.

Judith Elizabeth March Kelley received The Andrew Patterson Memorial Fellowship in Biblical Theology, which honors a graduating senior who has exhibited special interest and talent in biblical theology.

Judith Kelley was also awarded The Esther Horner Award, which is the only prize whose recipient is selected by the graduating class. It is given to the graduating senior who has made the greatest contribution to campus community life.

The Interpretation Journal Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry was awarded to four graduates who have distinguished themselves in biblical and theological studies and intend to pursue careers in parish ministry: Kathryn Anne Allen, Dawn M. Conti, Marie Y. Hanselman, and Nancy E. Profit.

Sang-Tae Lee received The Alan M. Jackson Preaching Award, which is presented by the Anchorage Presbyterian Church to an outstanding male student preacher.

Dawn M. Conti received The Melanie Lane Preaching Award, which is given to an outstanding female student preacher.

Sang-Tae Lee also received The Pastoral Award in Ministry honoring the graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding promise for parish ministry.

Kathryn Anne Allen also received The Joseph T. Sudduth Award, which honors the graduating senior who has demonstrated achievement in biblical studies.

Melissa L. Lott was awarded The James W. Tinsley Prize for a graduating senior who has demonstrated commitment and perseverance in preparation for ministry.

Michelle Elizabeth Hester-Stillwagon received The Westminster/John Knox Press Award for Creative Integration of Theology and Marriage and Family Therapy, which recognizes a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding creativity and ability to bring together theology, personal faith tradition, and theory in the clinical practice of marriage and family therapy.

The 2003 graduating class included (with hometown, previous degree, and confirmed ministry call or thesis title):

Master of Arts in Religion

Jeffrey C. Rogers, Louisville, KY
BA, Western Kentucky University

Master of Arts in Marriage &
Family Therapy

Megan S. Bayles, Santa Cruz, CA
BA, University of Washington

Jonathan J. Colwill-Bumpas,
Louisville, KY
BA, Rhodes College-TN

Carla J. Combs, Lexington, KY
BS, University of Kentucky

Leigh A. Cooper, Louisville, KY
BA, Transylvania University-KY
Part-time Counselor, Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Center, Louisville, KY

Laura M. Eves, Clay City, IN
BS, Northwestern University-IL

Mark W. Eves, Louisville, KY
BA, University of Louisville-KY

Michelle E. Hester-Stillwagon,
Louisville, KY
BS, College of Wooster-OH
Principle Therapist, Behavioral Health Services, Seven Counties, Louisville, KY

Daniel F. Mansfield, Cortland, OH
BA, University of Michigan

SunKyoo Park, Jibang Ri, South Korea
Certificate, Louisville Seminary-KY
Associate Pastor, Pal Bok Korean
Presbyterian Church, Vernon Hills, IL

Bridget E. Smith, Kansas City, MO
BA, William Jewell College-MO
Program Therapist, Mercy Hospital,
Council Bluffs, IA

Lonna D. Smith, Uriah, AL
BS, Troy State University-AL

Janice M. Wohrle, Bennettsville, IN
BA, Indiana University Southeast
Marriage, Family, and Individual Therapist, Bruce Hardy PhD, LMFT and Associates, Louisville, KY

Master of Divinity

Kathryn A. Allen, North East, PA
BS, University of Utah
Pastor, Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, Milton, KY, and PhD Religious Studies Program, University of Louisville

Robert M. Allen, Boonville, IN
BA, Oakland City College-IN

Dennis L. Andrews, Richmond, IN
MPA, Ball State University-IN
Pastor, Hobe Sound Community Presbyterian Church, FL

Donna M. Aros, Sonora, KY
BA, Michigan State University
Pastor, Stephensport United Methodist Church, Stephensport, KY

Robin L. Blakeman, Ironton, OH
BA, Marshall University-WV
ThM Program, Louisville Seminary

Brenda D. Burney, Louisville, KY
AA, Boyce Bible College-KY
Minister of Education, Bates Memorial Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Peggy L. Casteel, Evansville, IN
BS, University of Evansville-IN
Pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Bloomfield, IN

Gloria Chough, Pusan, South Korea
Kyung Sung University, Pusan, South Korea

Jonathan J. Colwill-Bumpas,
Louisville, KY BA, Rhodes College-TN

Dawn M. Conti, Jacksonville, FL
BA, Rollins College-FL
Pastor, Kanapaha Presbyterian Church,
Gainesville, FL

Janet M. Gaither, Remlap, AL
BS, University of Alabama-Birmingham

Marie Y. Hanselman, Victor, NY
BA, State University of New York-Potsdam

Daniel S. Hemken, Hamel, IL
BA, Southern Illinois University

Brian A. Hicks, Lexington, KY
BA, University of Kentucky
Pastor, Metro Urban Ministries, Louisville District Office-UMC, Louisville, KY

Kimbrel S. Johnson, Duluth, MN
BA, Viterbo University-WI
Associate Pastor, Community Presbyterian Church, Grand Rapids, MN

Jill S. Kaetzel, Evansville, IN
BS, University of Southern Indiana
Pastor, New Hope United Methodist Church, Salem, IN

Judith E. Kelley, Fort Worth, TX
BA, Austin College-TX
Associate Pastor, Moorings Presbyterian Church, Naples, FL

Robert F. Klouw, Pontiac, MI
BA, Hope College-MI
Program Assistant, Criminal Justice (NWD), Presbyterian Church (USA) Center, Louisville, KY

Ellen Marie Kriete, Amelia Island, FL
BS, Miami University-OH

Sang-Tae Lee, South Korea
Purdue University-Calumet-IN
Pastor, Korean Presbyterian Church,
Bloomington, IN

Melissa L. Lott, Louisville, KY
BS, University of Louisville-KY
Associate Minister, Bates Memorial Baptist Church, Louisville, KY

Leonard W. Marr, Ashland, KY
BA, Berea College-KY
Pastor, Golden Memorial United Methodist Church, Inez, KY

Andrew L. Miller, Denton, TX
BA, Stephen F. Austin State
University-TX

Charlette J. Morton, Louisville, KY
BS, Indiana University Southeast

Tara L. Nicholas, Louisville, KY
BA, Transylvania University-KY
Pastor Intern, Anchorage Presbyterian Church, Chaplain at Norton (January 04) and Jewish Hospitals, Louisville, KY

Master of Divinity, cont.

Jennifer A. Noyes, Cincinnati, OH
BA, Earlham College-IN

C. Christopher Perkins, Washington, DC
BA, Davidson College-NC
ThM Program, Louisville Seminary

Nancy E. Profit, Odebolt, IA
BA, Buena Vista College-IA

Charles F. Pye, New York City, NY
BA, Beloit College-WI
Stated Supply Pastor, Grace United
Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, IN

Kathryn E. Rhoads, Lima, OH
BA, College of Wooster-OH
Pastoral Intern, Firelands Presbyterian Church, Port Clinton, OH

Deke Rigor, LaGrange, KY
BS, University of Louisville-KY
Pastor, Shepherdsville Christian Church, Shepherdsville, KY

Keith B. Ross, Tempe, AZ
AA, Cook College and Theological
School-AZ

Amy K. Rudiger, Severns, MD
BA, College of Notre Dame-Maryland

Kirsten G. Shepler-Ross, Tempe, AZ
AA, Cook College and Theological
School-AZ
Director of Christian Education, First
Presbyterian Church, Palm Bay, FL

C. Ryan Sills, Madisonville, KY
BA, Western Kentucky University

Meredith A. White-Zeager,
Cleveland, OH
BA, Kent State University-OH
ThM Program, Louisville Seminary

Master of Theology (Thesis Title)

Pavel Baklanov, St. Petersburg, Russia
Suffering, Alzheimer’s Disease and Pastoral Responses

Heeja Han, Seoul, South Korea
Inculturation of Traditional Korean Rituals through Intergenerational Christian Education

Doctor of Ministry (Thesis Title)

Albert Frank Anakwa, Pastor
Trinity Presbyterian Church of Ghana
Developing a Curriculum to Encourage Monogamous Marriage in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana

Harold D. Bryant, Chaplain
VA Medical Center, Salem, VA
Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Veteran Affairs Chaplain in the Veteran Affairs Medical Center Salem, Virginia Bereavement Program in Providing Support to Grieving Souls

Anne E. Fisher, Lay leader
Gurnee, IL
A Study of Pastors Who Follow Long Pastorates

Jean G. Hawxhurst, Associate Pastor
Christ United Methodist Church,
Louisville, KY
Giving the Right Hand of Fellowship: A Curriculum to Assist Members of Theologically Diverse Congregations to Understand Each Other

Steve D. Heitkamp, Pastor
Zion United Methodist Church, West Salem, IL
Spiritual Assessment: Content, Context, and Process: A Delphi Study for Clinical Application

Mark R. Knox, Chaplain
U.S. Army, Fort Knox, KY
Survivor—Military Marriage: A Marriage
Enrichment Program for the United States Army

Gary E. Maguffee, Pastor
First United Methodist Church, Flemingsburg, KY
Using the Recycling Model with the Worship Planning Committee to Renew Gathering Rites for Worship

Jonathan Ayiteh Mensah, Pastor
Peniel Presbyterian Church, Accra, Ghana
Enhancing the Spiritual Life of the Elderly through Pastoral Care in the Presbyterian Church of Ghana

Robert Sampson Osborne, Pastor
Berkeley Springs Presbyterian
Church, WV
Preaching from and for Spiritual Direction: Adding a Spiritual Direction Component to Collaborative Preaching

Amy Ruth Schacht, Pastor
Laurel Presbyterian Church, WV
How Shall We Grow?: Preaching and Teaching on Suffering

Robert Edward Schmeiser, Associate Pastor
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church,
Sun City Center, FL
Dealing with End-of-Life Issues with Older Adults

Bruce B. V. Theron, Pastor
St. Luke’s Congregational Church,
Durban, S. Africa
Intercultural Dialogue in the Local Church: Extending Boundaries and Creating Community

Vennard Clayton Walter, Jr., Private Practice
Pastoral/Marriage & Family Therapy Services, Louisville, KY
Intentional Communion with God in Silence, Emptiness, Stillness: A Seminar on the Development of a Contemplative, Centering Prayer Discipline

Certificate in Pastoral Counseling Supervision

Paul J. Melrose

Certificate in Homiletic Supervision

Deborah DeMars Conrad
Stephens Gilbert Lytch

Diploma in Pastoral Studies

Nell Dorsey
Steven C. Inman
Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut
John Pierce
Benjamin Lee Reberger, Jr.
Barbara Saye Stultz
Russell Yonkers

The mission of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary is to serve the church and the world by educating men and women for participation in the continuing ministry of Jesus Christ. Founded in 1853, the Seminary offers an inclusive and diverse community, welcoming individuals from wider ecumenical backgrounds. The Seminary is one of ten institutions of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Profiles of graduates seeking ministerial calls are available on the Seminary’s website. As students are cleared by their Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM), they are invited to post their information. The profile provides the student an opportunity to introduce him or herself and describe experiences and hopes for continuing the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world. As students receive a call, the profile is removed from the site. This means that there are frequent additions and subtractions of profiles; check the website often for new profiles

150th graduating class serving first ministry calls

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