President's eUpdate
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Dear Saint Paul Community,
Warmest greetings to you from Saint Paul School of Theology! We are always eager to stay in contact with friends and colleagues, and we appreciate your kindness in reading news from Saint Paul.
The Board of Trustees met on April 11th and 12th, 2016, and we'd like you to know the latest actions and information that shape the future of Saint Paul.
Presidential Update
The Executive Committee of the Board is in the process of selecting and naming the next President of the seminary. The plan is to appoint a new President to begin work on July 1, and you can anticipate an announcement soon.
Board Restructuring
The Board discussed and passed a new governance structure, which will reduce the number of constituents or representatives on the Board. Trustees were proactive in determining how the board will continue to hear from bishops, staff, faculty, students, graduates, and collaborators. The President will be faithful in scheduling proactive, intentional meetings to hear reflections about the seminary, as well as town hall meeting and panel discussions. The Board is optimistic that this new process will actually enable better communication with the seminary, bishops, and collaborators. We hope those alumni/ae who read this update will contact the President Office about participation in town hall or panel discussions.
Celebrating Leadership and Vision
The Board of Trustees honored Rev. Adam Hamilton on April 11 with a celebration dinner for his over 20 years of leadership on the Saint Paul Board. Several of those years he served as Board Chair. They showed their appreciation by establishing the Adam J. Ha
The Board of Trustees met on April 11th and 12th, 2016, and we'd like you to know the latest actions and information that shape the future of Saint Paul.
Presidential Update
The Executive Committee of the Board is in the process of selecting and naming the next President of the seminary. The plan is to appoint a new President to begin work on July 1, and you can anticipate an announcement soon.
Board Restructuring
The Board discussed and passed a new governance structure, which will reduce the number of constituents or representatives on the Board. Trustees were proactive in determining how the board will continue to hear from bishops, staff, faculty, students, graduates, and collaborators. The President will be faithful in scheduling proactive, intentional meetings to hear reflections about the seminary, as well as town hall meeting and panel discussions. The Board is optimistic that this new process will actually enable better communication with the seminary, bishops, and collaborators. We hope those alumni/ae who read this update will contact the President Office about participation in town hall or panel discussions.
Celebrating Leadership and Vision
The Board of Trustees honored Rev. Adam Hamilton on April 11 with a celebration dinner for his over 20 years of leadership on the Saint Paul Board. Several of those years he served as Board Chair. They showed their appreciation by establishing the Adam J. Ha
milton Vision and Leadership Award that will be given to a deserving Saint Paul alumeach year. Rev. Dr. Mark Holland, DMin '09, was chosen as the first recipient for his unique blend of vision and leadership as Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government in Wyandotte County/KCK and as Senior Pastor of Trinity Community Church, a United Methodist congregation. The church has become the most multicultural congregation in the Great Plains conference.
Academic News
The Board approved two motions from the Academic Affairs Committee. The first motion on the Certificate in Theological Formation was unanimously approved, which gives the faculty opportunity to move forward with a 24-hour program of study appropriate for diverse students. Another motion passed in support of renewal of contract for Dr. Amy Oden, whose teaching in Church History, leadership in spiritual formation, and contributions to the seminary are exemplary.
Freestanding Institution
Discussions with outside academic institutions allowed the Board to reevaluate thestrengths of our seminary. Each visiting institution approached us about collaborations or colocation because they saw Saint Paul as an institution with value-a good endowment, no debt, and a strong graduate degree program. The discussion concluded with a strong feeling about remaining a freestanding institution. The Board realizes that we have a lot to protect in our mission, our endowment, our excellent faculty and staff, and our nimbleness. The Board feels the seminary is well positioned to do what we need to do for the foreseeable future-and will continue to consider the best possible collaborations and partnerships for our mission.
Budget News
The Resource Committee presented the 2016-2017 budget, which received approval. The seminary is improving in financial stability. The budget presented is not extravagant, but is balanced and reflects a 5.33% draw on the endowment.
These are exciting times for Saint Paul as we imagine how to best be a seminary for the 21st century. Please continue to hold the seminary in prayer, tell the good news and stories, and support us with your gifts.
Dr. Nancy R. Howell, Acting President
Saint Paul School of Theology
howellnr@spst.edu
____________________________________________________________________
Special Events
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Paul
Celebrating 8 years of seminary education at Saint Paul: OCU
United Methodist Church of the Servant, Oklahoma City, OK
Thursday, May 19, 2016
All Alum Reunion
10-10:30 a.m. Volunteer at Guadalulpe Center
Noon Community Meal, Presentation, Tour
1:30 p.m. Complete Volunteer Projects
3:30-5:00 p.m. Tour Classrooms and Administration Offices
5:30 p.m. Social Gathering with Faculty and Friends
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. 2016 Commencement - Leawood, KS
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection, Main Sanctuary
Friday, May 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
2016 Commencement - Oklahoma City, OK
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University, W. Angie Smith Chapel
For further information please contact:
Tracy Miller, tracy.miller@spst.edu
Register online: www.spst.edu/special-events
STAY IN TOUCH
Saint Paul: UM Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
(913) 253-5000
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106, United States
(405) 208-5757
Saint Paul School of Theology
Academic News
The Board approved two motions from the Academic Affairs Committee. The first motion on the Certificate in Theological Formation was unanimously approved, which gives the faculty opportunity to move forward with a 24-hour program of study appropriate for diverse students. Another motion passed in support of renewal of contract for Dr. Amy Oden, whose teaching in Church History, leadership in spiritual formation, and contributions to the seminary are exemplary.
Freestanding Institution
Discussions with outside academic institutions allowed the Board to reevaluate thestrengths of our seminary. Each visiting institution approached us about collaborations or colocation because they saw Saint Paul as an institution with value-a good endowment, no debt, and a strong graduate degree program. The discussion concluded with a strong feeling about remaining a freestanding institution. The Board realizes that we have a lot to protect in our mission, our endowment, our excellent faculty and staff, and our nimbleness. The Board feels the seminary is well positioned to do what we need to do for the foreseeable future-and will continue to consider the best possible collaborations and partnerships for our mission.
Budget News
The Resource Committee presented the 2016-2017 budget, which received approval. The seminary is improving in financial stability. The budget presented is not extravagant, but is balanced and reflects a 5.33% draw on the endowment.
These are exciting times for Saint Paul as we imagine how to best be a seminary for the 21st century. Please continue to hold the seminary in prayer, tell the good news and stories, and support us with your gifts.
Dr. Nancy R. Howell, Acting President
Saint Paul School of Theology
howellnr@spst.edu
____________________________________________________________________
Special Events
Thursday, April 28, 2016, 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Saint Paul
Celebrating 8 years of seminary education at Saint Paul: OCU
United Methodist Church of the Servant, Oklahoma City, OK
Thursday, May 19, 2016
All Alum Reunion
10-10:30 a.m. Volunteer at Guadalulpe Center
Noon Community Meal, Presentation, Tour
1:30 p.m. Complete Volunteer Projects
3:30-5:00 p.m. Tour Classrooms and Administration Offices
5:30 p.m. Social Gathering with Faculty and Friends
Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. 2016 Commencement - Leawood, KS
Saint Paul: Church of the Resurrection, Main Sanctuary
Friday, May 27, 2016 at 4:00 p.m.
2016 Commencement - Oklahoma City, OK
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University, W. Angie Smith Chapel
For further information please contact:
Tracy Miller, tracy.miller@spst.edu
Register online: www.spst.edu/special-events
STAY IN TOUCH
Saint Paul: UM Church of the Resurrection13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
(913) 253-5000
Saint Paul: Oklahoma City University
2501 North Blackwelder Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106, United States
(405) 208-5757
Saint Paul School of Theology
4370 West 109th Street, SUITE 300
Overland Park, Kansas 66211, United States
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