Happy Anniversary Asbury Theological Seminary!
by Sandra McKinney, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore Campus, Alumni Office
On Monday, May 20, friends of Asbury Theological Seminary came to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Seminary. Weaved throughout the evening was how to reach the whole world from Wilmore, KY. The first class at the Seminary consisted of three men. After ninety years, Asbury Alumni are serving on six continents, sixty-nine countries, and twenty-two of twenty-four time zones.
The Seminary produced a video presentation entitled Legacy of the Presidents. This featured the rich history of the Seminary through the eight presidents: Henry Clay Morrison, Julian C. McPheeters, Frank B. Stanger, David L. McKenna, Maxie D. Dunnam, Jeffrey E. Greenway, J. Ellsworth Kalas and current president Tennent.
One of the Seminary’s alumni, who recently garnered national attention as a finalist on America’s Got Talent last summer, Joe Castillo (2002, M.A.B.S. and M.Div) created a special SandStory tribute to Asbury Seminary. The tribute began with Henry Clay Morrison arriving on horseback with his Bible in hand. Throughout the presentation the audience saw H.C. preaching, praying, and planting seeds. African music played toward the end while Joe created an image of the globe followed by the profiles of five students from various parts of the world.
For the first time all four living former Presidents of Asbury appeared together along with current President Timothy C. Tennent. Each of the Presidents had a special part in the celebration. President Emeritus Dunnam encouraged us to “find ways to train men and women in ministry, not for ministry.” President Tennent declared we have a “decisive decade ahead” but “Asbury is up for the challenge.” President Emeritus McKenna reminded us of the vision of Henry Clay Morrison, for if he had not “seen it first, we would not be seeing it now.” Asbury Theological Seminary has had quite a journey over the last ninety years. The journey which lies ahead will require fresh initiatives as Asbury continues to prepare
theologically educated, sanctified, Spirit-filled men and women to evangelize and to spread scriptural holiness throughout the world.
True to our Wesleyan roots, the evening concluded with those gathered singing Charles Wesley’s hymn “And Can It Be” accompanied by the pipe organ. Immediately following the celebration was a reception in the Stevens-Pike Dining Room of the Sherman Thomas Student Center.
Who, in addition to myself, serves in the Alaskan time zone?
Jerry, have you looked on The HUB: Asbury Theological Seminary Alumni Network. If you email thehub@asburyseminary or alumni@asburyseminary.edu we can help you get connected and find fellow alumni. You can, also, call me on Friday at 859-858-2080 and I will be glad to assist you.