Bethany Seminary Celebrates One Hundred Third Commencement
Richmond, Indiana—Bethany Theological Seminary celebrated its one hundred third commencement on May 3, 2008. Two observances marked the occasion. A ceremony for conferring degrees took place in Bethany’s Nicarry Chapel. A public worship celebration was held at the Richmond Church of the Brethren.
Dr. Steven L. Longenecker, Professor and Department Chair of History and Political Science at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA., spoke at the conferring of degrees ceremony. In his address “The Useful Dunker Past,” Longenecker shared the story of Howard Sollenberger, who immediately after graduating from Manchester College in 1938 persuaded the Church of the Brethren General Mission Board to send him to China, providing relief for the Chinese during their war with Japan. “Quite obviously, Sollenberger provides a strong role model,” Longenecker said. “Admittedly, God calls only a few to flirt with danger on a distant continent or in a war zone, but God summons all to faithfulness. Those of great faith, like Sollenberger, inspire the rest of us to walk our humble but still vital walks.”
Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, associate professor of Preaching and Worship, was the speaker for the afternoon worship service. In her message, “Where the River Goes,” based on Ezekiel 47:1-12, Dr. Wilhelm also referenced the Church of the Brethren 300th anniversary, including a specific mention of the eight founders of the denomination. th “When eight persons stepped into the Eder River 300 years ago, they counted well the cost of giving their lives to Jesus Christ, of giving up their homes and wealth in mutual support, of moving into unchartered waters. But little did they know where the baptismal waters of the Eder would take them,” said Wilhelm. “You can count the cost however you will, but you can never figure where the water is going to take you. It is not ours to plot the course.”
President Ruthann Knechel Johansen noted significant events in the past year related to Seminary personnel. Dan Ulrich, New Testament Studies, was promoted to full professor. Appreciation was expressed to Delora Roop, Steven Breck Reid, and Jonathan Shively. Delora Roop, Coordinator of the Office of Institutional Advancement, will retire in the summer of 2008 after 23 years of service. Reid, Academic Dean, has accepted a position as Professor of Hebrew Bible at George Truett Theological Seminary, Waco, Texas. Shively, Director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, has accepted a position as Executive Director of Congregational Life Ministries for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Those who received degrees, and their home congregations, are:
Dr. Steven L. Longenecker, Professor and Department Chair of History and Political Science at Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA., spoke at the conferring of degrees ceremony. In his address “The Useful Dunker Past,” Longenecker shared the story of Howard Sollenberger, who immediately after graduating from Manchester College in 1938 persuaded the Church of the Brethren General Mission Board to send him to China, providing relief for the Chinese during their war with Japan. “Quite obviously, Sollenberger provides a strong role model,” Longenecker said. “Admittedly, God calls only a few to flirt with danger on a distant continent or in a war zone, but God summons all to faithfulness. Those of great faith, like Sollenberger, inspire the rest of us to walk our humble but still vital walks.”
Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, associate professor of Preaching and Worship, was the speaker for the afternoon worship service. In her message, “Where the River Goes,” based on Ezekiel 47:1-12, Dr. Wilhelm also referenced the Church of the Brethren 300th anniversary, including a specific mention of the eight founders of the denomination. th “When eight persons stepped into the Eder River 300 years ago, they counted well the cost of giving their lives to Jesus Christ, of giving up their homes and wealth in mutual support, of moving into unchartered waters. But little did they know where the baptismal waters of the Eder would take them,” said Wilhelm. “You can count the cost however you will, but you can never figure where the water is going to take you. It is not ours to plot the course.”
President Ruthann Knechel Johansen noted significant events in the past year related to Seminary personnel. Dan Ulrich, New Testament Studies, was promoted to full professor. Appreciation was expressed to Delora Roop, Steven Breck Reid, and Jonathan Shively. Delora Roop, Coordinator of the Office of Institutional Advancement, will retire in the summer of 2008 after 23 years of service. Reid, Academic Dean, has accepted a position as Professor of Hebrew Bible at George Truett Theological Seminary, Waco, Texas. Shively, Director of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, has accepted a position as Executive Director of Congregational Life Ministries for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Those who received degrees, and their home congregations, are:
- Master of Divinity, Peace Studies Emphasis:
- Brandon Grady, Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren, York, Pennsylvania
- Master of Divinity:
- David Beebe, Bear Creek Church of the Brethren, Dayton, Ohio
- Nan Lynn Alley Erbaugh, Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, Dayton, Ohio
- Stephen Carl Hershberger, Roaring Spring Church of the Brethren, Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania
- Elizabeth Jacqueline Keller, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond, Indiana
- Jason Michael Kreighbaum, Nettle Creek Church of the Brethren, Hagerstown, Indiana
- Matthew Eugene McKimmy, Good Shepherd Church of the Brethren, Blacksburg, Virginia
- V. Christina Singh, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond, Indiana
- Karl Edward Stone, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond, Indiana
- Paula Ziegler Ulrich, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond, Indiana
- Douglas Eugene Osborne Veal, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond, Indiana
- David Beebe, Bear Creek Church of the Brethren, Dayton, Ohio
- Master of Arts in Theology:
- Marla Bieber Abe, First Church of the Brethren, Akron, Ohio
- Susan Marie Ross, Churubusco United Methodist Church, Churubusco, Indiana
- Marla Bieber Abe, First Church of the Brethren, Akron, Ohio
- Certificate of Achievement in Theological Studies:
- Mildred F. Baker, Diehls Cross Roads Church of the Brethren, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
- Nicholas Edward Beam, Pleasant Hill Church of the Brethren, Pleasant Hill, Ohio
- Jerry M. Sales, Peoria Church of the Brethren, Peoria, Illinois (ILL/WISC Moderator)
- Mildred F. Baker, Diehls Cross Roads Church of the Brethren, Martinsburg, Pennsylvania
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