Garrett-Evangelical News

Dr. Lallene J. Rector Named President of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 2013 – Today, the Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Lallene J. Rector to be the next president of Garrett-Evangelical. Currently serving as the seminary’s vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, Rector will succeed Dr. Philip A. Amerson, who will retire on December 31 after nearly eight years as president. Rector, an extraordinary scholar and practitioner, shares a deep love for the church and possesses the perfect mix of skills, education, experience, and faith to further Garrett-Evangelical’s mission to prepare bold, spiritual leaders for the church, academy, and world.

As the first woman president in Garrett-Evangelical’s 160-year history, Rector will join the seminary’s legacy of remarkable women who have served the institution, including: Eliza Garrett, who founded Garrett Biblical Institute in 1853; Lucy Rider Meyer, the first principal of the Chicago Training School in 1855; Georgia Harkness, the first woman to be named professor of theology in the United States in 1939; and Rosemary Skinner Keller, the seminary’s first female academic dean appointed in 1993.

As the first layperson to be appointed president, Rector will bring a creative perspective to the seminary’s commitment to train bold leaders. She is a person of profound faith and is devoted to theological education in the ecumenical church and the building of strong interfaith alliances. She is a member at First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple in Chicago, Illinois. Her background as a United Methodist who brings expertise in pastoral psychotherapy makes her an invaluable asset on the Ministerial Assessment Specialists Advisory Committee on Candidacy and Clergy Assessment for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. Additionally, she is a convener for the United Methodist Theological Schools academic deans and regularly represents the seminary at denominational conferences.

A search committee of trustees, faculty, and administrators unanimously recommended Rector to the board. In her remarks to the search committee Rector said, “I believe that if Garrett-Evangelical understands itself, first and foremost, as a servant to the church and to the world, then we will not stray far from God’s purpose for us. My own personal call to service, along with my experience in the seminary for the last 27 years, has well prepared me to become the next President.”

In response to the board’s decision, Mr. Jerre Stead, Board of Trustees Chair, said, “I am thrilled with the work of the search committee and their recommendation. When I speak with faculty and administrators at other theological schools, Lallene’s reputation precedes her. She is considered one of the top-tier talent in theological education and we are blessed to have her as president elect.” Stead further shared his confidence that Rector will be a visionary leader advancing the school’s mission.

Rector has been a member of the Garrett-Evangelical faculty for 27 years, with the last seven spent in her current role as academic dean. Some of her more recent achievements at the seminary include developing and implementing the seminary’s strategic plan, chairing the budget reduction task force, initiating curriculum review, and negotiating the seminary’s charter membership in the Seminary Stewardship Alliance.

Her influence at the school can be further witnessed by looking at the student body. Rector is committed to creating a diverse community, which has driven her to develop strong relationships with the Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE), Advanced Latino/a Theological Education Program, and the Center for African American Studies program.

Rector’s influence expands far beyond her work at Garrett-Evangelical. Locally, she has convened the academic deans of the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS) and served as the secretary for the ACTS Common Council. Nationally, she is a member of the Association for Theological Schools (ATS) Advisory Committee for Chief Academic Officers. Further involvement with ATS includes serving as member or chair of several re-accreditation teams since 2005 and being a panelist or presenter at various ATS meetings and conferences.

Rector’s educational background includes a bachelor of arts in psychology and religion from Texas Christian University, a master of theological studies from Boston University’s School of Theology, and a doctor of philosophy in psychology of religion from Boston University’s Graduate School for the Arts and Sciences. She holds memberships in the American Academy of Religion; has served on the Steering Committee for Person, Culture and Religion Section; and has been a member of the American Psychoanalytical Association and the Chicago Society for Psychoanalysis.

As Garrett-Evangelical celebrates its 160^th anniversary in 2013, we give thanks for the outstanding leadership of Philip A. Amerson and look forward to the leadership of President-Elect Lallene J. Rector. In the coming months we will share more news related to how the seminary will honor our 160-year history, the service of President Amerson, and the installation of President-Elect Rector.

Garrett-Evangelical, a graduate school of theology related to The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 500 students from various denominations and 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 alumni serve church and society around the world.

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Garrett-Evangelical to Honor Three Alumni at Commencement

EVANSTON, Illinois, May 2013 –Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary will honor three alumni for their service in The United Methodist Church at the 156^th Commencement on May 17, 2013. Bishop Sharon Rader, retired bishop and previously bishop-in-residence at Garrett-Evangelical, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. Rev. Jane Eesley, an elder in the Northern Illinois Conference, and Rev. Earl Francis Lindsay, retired elder in the Wisconsin Conference, will be honored with Distinguished Alumni Awards for their important service to the Church and the world.

Trustee Alice Spitzer Honored with the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award

EVANSTON, Illinois, April 2013 – On behalf of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, President Philip Amerson presented the Eliza Garrett Distinguished Service Award to Alice Spitzer, a retiring trustee, this past Sunday, April 21^st. President Amerson surprised Spitzer with the award in front of her home congregation, First United Methodist Church of Peoria, Illinois, for her years of service to the church and the seminary.

Garrett-Evangelical and Kellogg School of Management Honor the Inaugural Class of the Plus Program

EVANSTON, Illinois, April 2013 – On Tuesday, April 16, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management awarded certificates of completion to the inaugural class of the Plus Program at a dinner held at Northwestern University’s School of Law in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Philip Amerson, President of Garrett-Evangelical, and Ms. Liz Livingston Howard, Associate Director of Kellogg’s Center for Nonprofit Management, both offered words of appreciation for members of the inaugural class and their willingness to learn, engage, and support one another through this joint program.

Doctor of Ministry Student, Rev. Steven Trefz, Receives The Journal of Christian Ministry Award of Excellence

EVANSTON, Illinois, April 2013 – The Association for Doctor of Ministry Education (ADME) has selected current Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) student, Rev. Steven Trefz, as the recipient of The Journal of Christian Ministry Award of Excellence for his recently completed thesis. Entitled “Picturing” Lay Ministry: Photovoice and Participatory Group Spiritual Gifts Assessment, Trefz’s thesis was chosen from hundreds of D.Min. theses from 55 ADME represented schools across the United States and Canada.

Dr. Morton Schapiro, President of Northwestern University, to Deliver Address at 156th Commencement

EVANSTON, Illinois, April 2013 – Dr. Morton Schapiro, President of Northwestern University, will deliver the address at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary’s 156th Commencement and receive an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. The service will begin at 10 a.m. on May 17th, at First United Methodist Church in Evanston with a reception to follow.

Garrett-Evangelical Honored to Host Episcopal Leaders and Scholars

Evanston, Illinois, March 2013 - Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary was graced by the diverse presence of church leaders and scholars attending one of two conferences held on the seminary's campus last week. On Wednesday, March 13, members of the Black Methodists for Church Renewal (BMCR) opened their 46th Annual Meeting over dinner in Loder Hall followed by the opening worship service. On Thursday, March 14, members of the Pacific, Asian, and North American Asian Women in Theology and Ministry (PANAAWTM) held their 2013 conference on the seminary's campus begininning with a plenary that was open to the public and featured four prominent scholars.

Three Garrett-Evangelical Alumni Named Deans of Divinity Schools

EVANSTON, Illinois, February 2013 – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary celebrates the recent appointments of three alumni who will serve as deans of divinity schools. Dr. David K. Clark has been named Vice President and Dean of Bethel Seminary, Dr. Evelyn L. Parker has been named Associate Academic Dean of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and Dr. Emilie M. Townes has been named Dean of Vanderbilt University Divinity School.

Garrett-Evangelical Hosts 11 Bishops of The United Methodist Church for the 2013 Leadership Academy

EVANSTON, Illinois, February 2013 – For four days, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary hosted eleven newly appointed bishops of The United Methodist Church as participants in the 2013 Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy, an executive education program created specifically for the bishops elected in 2012, was led by senior faculty and practitioners from Garrett-Evangelical and the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Bishops from across the United States as well as Europe and Russia participated in the groundbreaking leadership program.

Newly Endowed Chair in Spiritual Formation is Among the First in Protestant Seminaries

EVANSTON, Illinois, January 2013 – In 2010 Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary began seeking funds for the Rueben P. Job Endowed Chair in Spiritual Formation in celebration of the seminary’s first 25 years of leadership in spiritual formation studies and in recognition of Rueben Job’s lifelong commitment to this area. Hundreds of gifts were received, and in December 2012 a generous gift helped the seminary reach its $2 million goal to fund one of the first chairs in spiritual formation among Protestant seminaries.

Henry Luce Foundation Renews Support for Professorship in Global Christianity and World Religions

EVANSTON, Illinois, December 2012 – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has received an additional $225,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation for the continued support of a professorship in global Christianity and world religions. The Foundation originally awarded a grant in 2009 to insure that students preparing for ministry have a deeper understanding of the religious landscape in the United States and our world. The renewed grant provides extended funding through 2016.

Garrett-Evangelical Building Earns LEED Gold Certification

EVANSTON, Illinois, November 2012 – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary has been awarded a LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the renovation of Loder Hall. The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Building Rating System is a feature-oriented rating system that awards points for satisfying specified green building criteria. Following a thorough review of Loder Hall in six major environmental categories, the seminary received the certification in mid-November.

Rita Lester (G-E '91 and '97) Named Nebraska Professor of the Year

LINCOLN, Nebraska, November 2012 — Rita Lester, professor of religion at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU), has been named the 2012 Nebraska Professor of the Year. Lester was honored Thursday, November 15, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. She was selected from nearly 300 top professors in the country.

Angela Cowser to Serve as Instructor in the Sociology of Religion and Director of CBE

EVANSTON, Illinois, November 2012 – Garrett-Evangelical is pleased to announce the appointment of Angela Cowser as Instructor in the Sociology of Religion and the Director of the Center for the Church and the Black Experience (CBE), a center founded in 1970 that has helped lead Garrett-Evangelical to take strong stands for racial justice and understanding.

Garrett-Evangelical and MTSO Announce New Collaboration

EVANSTON, Illinois, October 2012 – The presidents of Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary sent the following letter to their communities on Oct. 30:

As the presidents of Methodist Theological School in Ohio and Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, we’re pleased to announce we have entered into an exciting new relationship. Recently, each school’s board of trustees unanimously agreed to a set of collaborative actions. Through this initiative, two strong, freestanding seminaries with a similar ethos and affiliation to the United Methodist Church will have the means to serve our students, the church and the world in innovative new ways.

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