Seminary confers degrees, certificates and diplomas at Commencement exercises
6/30/2004

On May 23, 2004, the Louisville Seminary Alum Association welcomed 43 new members and 18 new associate members during the 151st Commencement exercises.

Ceremonies were held at Harvey Browne Memorial Presbyterian Church, where the following degrees were conferred: The following degrees were conferred: Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (11), Master of Divinity (27), Master of Theology (2), and Doctor of Ministry (6). Four women received dual degrees in Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. In the Seminary’s non-degree programs, certificates in homiletic supervision were granted to four individuals, and seven individuals received the certificate in pastoral counseling supervision. Seven students received diplomas in pastoral studies.

During the Commencement exercises, the Seminary’s Devoted Service Award was presented to poet Ann Weems, who delivered the Commencement address. She urged the graduates to believe that wonder still existed in the world, “even though there is much obsenity in the world that mocks peace.” Weems also shared glimpses of her own faith development in childhood stories about her father, who preached about peace, loving others, and ending poverty when it was more popular to love war. Her message encouraged the graduates, “and any child of God who happens to be here,” to leap into the wild wonder of the Church of Christ with eyes wide open.

The Devoted Service Award, which recognizes individuals for their commitment and service in the life of the church, was also presented to two Synod moderators: Louisville Seminary graduate (MDiv 1996) Rev. Vicki Rucker, associate pastor of Broadway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia, Missouri, who serves the Synod of Mid-America, and retired Presbyterian pastor Rev. Donald L. Padget, now a coordinator for the Red Cross Bloodmobile, serving the Synod of Living Waters.

In addition to these awards, 14 graduates were recognized for their achievements in designated fields:

Traci Sue Scheuermann Houts received the Alum Award for the Outstanding Graduating Senior, which honors the graduate who has excelled in all facets of his or her education and potential for ministry.

John Linwood Kennedy received The Alan M. Jackson Preaching Award, presented by the Anchorage Presbyterian Church, Kentucky, to an outstanding male student preacher.

Kristin Marie Moore was the recipient of The Pastoral Ministry Award, which honors the graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding promise for parish ministry.

Ellen Anderson Marting was awarded 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, one’s personal faith tradition, and marriage and family therapy theory into the clinical practice of marriage and family therapy.

Kurt Dean Walker received The Esther Horner Award, which is the only prize whose recipient is selected by the graduating class, a graduating senior who has made the greatest contribution to campus community life.

Bonita Clark Quandt was the recipient of The Field Education Award, which is provided by the Presbyterian Women of St. Andrew Presbytery and 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.

Willem Paul Houts was awarded The Interpretation Journal Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry. The award is presented to graduates who have distinguished themselves in Biblical and theological studies and intend to pursue careers in parish ministry.

Karen L. Brugler was awarded The Joseph T. Sudduth Award, which honors the graduating senior who has demonstrated achievement in biblical studies.

Nicole Yvette Ward and Shawna La’Nette Anderson received The James W. Tinsley Prize, which honors a graduating senior who has demonstrated commitment and perseverance in preparation for ministry.

Susan Jinnett-Sack was the recipient of The Melanie Lane Preaching Award for outstanding female student preacher and The Interpretation Journal Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry.

Jennifer Anne McLeod received two awards: The Field Education Award and The Interpretation Journal Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry

Adam E. Shourds, whose degree was conferred in December 2003, received the Fielding Lewis Walker Fellowship in Doctrinal Theology, which honors a graduating senior who has demonstrated special interest and competence in doctrinal theology and carries a stipend of $4,000 to be used within five years of graduation, and The Interpretation Journal Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies, Theology and Pastoral Ministry.

Gwen L. Bronson was the recipient of four honors: The Bernice Bean and Gladys Kendall Prize, presented to the graduated who, in the judgment of the Faculty, has demonstrated a superior record of academic achievement; 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; The Joseph T. Sudduth Award and The Fielding Lewis Walker Fellowship in Doctrinal Theology.

The graduating class of 2004 included (with hometown, previous degree):
* = In Absentia; • = Degree conferred December 2003; + = With Distinction

Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy

Shawnna L. Anderson, Louisville, KY - Kentucky State University, BA
Melinda F. Crawley,• Kokomo, IN - Indiana University-Kokomo, BA
C. Ann Gittings, Louisville, KY - University of Louisville-KY, BM
Thomas L. Haffner, Louisville, KY - University of Louisville-KY, BS
Jennifer L. Lindsay,• Grovetown, GA - Davidson College-NC, BA
Ellen A. Marting,• Saint Louis, MO - Westminster College-MO, BA
Elizabeth A. McCormack, Peoria, IL - Hanover College-IN, BA
A. Elizabeth Monahan, Petersburg, IN - Virginia Wesleyan University-VA, BA
Elizabeth A. Seeger, Atlantic, IA - Wartburg College-IA, BA
Nicole Y. Ward, Louisville, KY - Indiana University-IN
Keith W. Williams,• Louisville, KY - Spalding University-KY, BA


Master of Divinity

Shawnna L. Anderson, Louisville, KY - Kentucky State University, BA
Mary A. Arnold, Battendorf, IA - St. Ambrose University, BA
Wendy Bronson, Pipestone, MN - University of Louisville-KY, BA
Karen A. Brugler, Chicago, IL - Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, BS
Peggy French,• Louisville, KY - Spalding University-KY, BA
C. Ann Gittings, Louisville, KY - University of Louisville-KY, BM
John H. Goodwin, Sallisaw, OK - Central Methodist College-MO, BS; Three Rivers Community College-MO, AAS
Clifford R. Haddox, Huntingdon, WV - Marshall University-WV, BA
Traci S. Houts, LCSW, Ames, IA - Buena Vista College-IA, BA
Will P. Houts, Oak Park, IL - University of Illinois-Urbana, BA/BS
Susan E. Jinnett-Sack, Louisville, KY - Radcliffe College, AB
Kevin L. Johnson, Annapolis, MD - Frostburg State University-MD, BS
John L. Kennedy, Dyer, IN - Elmhurst College-IL, BA
Elizabeth A. McCormack, Peoria, IL - Hanover College-IN, BA
James D. McLeod, Winston-Salem, NC - Clemson University-SC, BA
Jennifer A. McLeod, Lawrenceville, GA - Davidson College-NC, BA
Kristin M. Moore, Raleigh, NC - University of Maryland-Baltimore, BA
Steven T. Pace,• Frankfort, KY - Western Kentucky University, BA
Boni Quandt, Lawrenceville, IL - Eastern Illinois University, BS
Kathleen V. Rankin,• Mount Holly, NC - University of Georgia, BSHE
Frank T. Rupnik III, Troy, OH - Excelsior College, BA
Elizabeth A. Seeger, Atlantic, IA - Wartburg College-IA, BA
Adam E. Shourds,• Rockport, IN - Kentucky Wesleyan College, BA
John D. Sweet,• Springfield, MO - Southwest Missouri State University, BS
Veltri V. Taylor, Evansville, IN - Jackson State University-MS, BS
Deborah K. Uchtmann, Cincinnati, OH - College of Mount Saint Joseph-OH, BS
Kurt D. Walker, Evansville, IN - Western Kentucky University, AB; Paducah Junior College-KY, AA


Master of Theology (Thesis Title)

The Rev. Dr. Stephen E. Aschmann,• Richmond, VA -
University of Pennsylvania, BA
Presbyterians, Thomas Jefferson, and the Election of 1800

Ms. Robin L. Blakeman, West Virginia - Marshall
University-WV, BA
Embellished Landscapes: Women’s Experience in Applachian Faith Community Leadership Contexts

Doctor of Ministry (Thesis Title)

The Rev. Dr. Leslie F. Smith Belden, Fayetteville, AR
The Presence of the Holy

The Rev. Dr. Simeon B. Fulcher, Honolulu, HI
Developing a Method of One-to-One Consultation within the Local Congregation Linking Doctrine and Experience

Dr. Judith Ann Kane,+ Louisville, KY, with distinction
Welcome as Christ: Order of Welcoming New Parishioners

The Rev. Dr. Carmelo Mercado Jr., Oviedo, FL
Designing and Assessing the Need for a Hispanic Institute of Lay Leadership in Central Florida

The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Sheffield, Lima, OH
Planning Your Own Funeral

Thomas W. Smith,* Louisville, KY
Developing a Wesleyan Understanding of Giving

Certificate in Pastoral Counseling Supervision

Susan Cross
Janet L. Humphreys Sprowl
Ronald L. Majeroni*
Jane Polley-Bass*
Robert Patrick Roney
Paul T. Wilson*
James M. Wonnacott

Certificate in Homiletic Supervision

Ann Jolene Diebert
Paul F. Hegele
Katherine Thomas Paisley*
Richard Craig Stern

Diploma in Pastoral Studies

David Dossett
Julie Anne Posth
Patricia S. Renner
Barry Shelton
James T. Willey, Sr.
VaLynna Jenette Robertson Willey
Lisa Vestal Wood

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 personal 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.