Survival Guide for the New President
Asbury Seminary Survival Guide for the New President
Wilmore Town Essentials
Wilmore-There are two stoplights, and they are suggestions.
But you will get judged if you don’t wave at the person waiting at the three-way stop.
Wilmore – If you blink, you’ll miss it.
But if you sneeze, the whole town will bless you.
If you’re lost, confused, or need life advice, ask a retired missionary.
They’re everywhere in Wilmore. They are full of wisdom. You can’t swing a cat without hitting one.
Traffic Jam = One Tractor and a Youth Group Van or a train going through town.
Plan accordingly. And never underestimate the speed of a Cub Cadet cruising down Main Street.
Put On Your Calendar
The Wesley Waddle (April): It’s the one time of year many brave souls lace up for a 5K or 10K—not for glory, but for the promise of a delicious muffin waiting at the finish line.
The 4th of July Parade (July): Only in Wilmore can you witness the legendary lawnmower brigade; you might find current students, alumni, and even faculty (with tube socks, shorts and ties) glide down Main Street in synchronized, majestic mowing formation.
The Falling of the Ginkgo Leaves (October): Each fall, the golden leaves of the ginkgo fall in a matter of days. Tradition holds that in their first year, the new Asbury Seminary president must mark the occasion with a leaf angel, much like a snow angel, right in the middle of the leaves.
A Hometown Christmas (December): Experience the magic as locals and visitors alike flood downtown Wilmore for the annual lighting of the town Christmas tree, adorned with all five strands of lights. It’s small-town charm at its finest.
Navigating Campus Like a Pro
The Bathroom Across from the Alumni Office:
Newly renovated and surprisingly luxurious, it’s definitely worth the extra step. Bonus tip: If you then step into the Alumni Office across the hallway, they have delicious snacks. Just in case you forgot your breakfast.
There’s a chapel in every building:
At Asbury, you’re never more than 50 feet from a prayer rail, a pulpit, or a perfectly timed altar call. My personal favorite is Fletcher, not just because of its beautiful design, but because it opens out into a labyrinth. And honestly—how cool is that?
We have a Crary-McPheeters Building (CM) and a J.C. McPheeters Building (MC):
Super confusing, and I still don’t know which is which. This is especially relevant during hybrid weeks.
The Mural of Francis Asbury and Henry Clay Morrison (Administration Building):
It’s basically our version of The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel. Glorious, awe-inspiring, and perfectly placed, just be careful walking through that area, because you’ll likely find people stopped in their tracks, staring at its magnificence… or the Corrie Ten Boom clock.
Myths & Legends
The McKenna Chapel Artesian Well – The Fountain of Everlasting Green
It began during construction, just a regular foundation dig, or so they thought. But when the crew reached a certain depth beneath what is now McKenna Chapel, they struck water. Not just any water, living water.
Some say it bubbled up unbidden. Others swear the foreman immediately began quoting John 4. Either way, the Seminary had tapped into a natural artesian well, and the campus has never been the same.
They quietly harnessed the flow, channeling it into a hidden irrigation system so advanced it’s basically a modern miracle. No matter how hot the Kentucky summer gets, the Asbury lawns stay lush, green, and suspiciously resurrection-themed.
The Legend of Larabee-Morris Hall
In the early days of Asbury Seminary there was of our own space. Enter the Talbott Hotel—a cozy, twenty-room inn owned by the Asbury University. Now known as Talbott Hall, for a time, it was literally the only building on campus—holding chapel services, housing, and hospitality all under one roof.
In 1972, it was later honored as Larabee-Morris Hall, named after key benefactors Harold Larabee and Irene Morris. Legend has it that it was here that Robert Coleman began contemplating his work, The Master Plan of Evangelism.
Initially, the primary gathering place for visitors to Wilmore, Larbaee-Morris, now welcomes prospective students as often their first stop on campus.
The Miracle Truck & Estes Chapel: Foundation of Faith (and Framing)
In the early 1950s, construction of Estes Chapel had stalled—World War II had disrupted lumber supplies, and hopes were beginning to sag. Enter President J.C. McPheeters, praying fervently for provision. Then, as if guided by providence, a fully loaded tractor-trailer broke down on Lexington Avenue—carrying just the right timber needed for the chapel.
The Seminary immediately acquired the load, and construction resumed with unprecedented speed. Faculty and students alike remember the story as more than coincidence—it was seen as a divine provision, a “miracle truck” sent to ensure the sacred work continued.
Future Hot Takes
On a future archaeological dig in the Holy Land, Dr. Lawson Stone, resident Hebrew Jedi, will finally discover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. Experts were stunned. Israeli officials wept. The Smithsonian called six times. However, in a tragic turn of events, a first-year student will mistake it for a vintage coffee table… and try to open it before following proper protocol.
Jim Brumfeld will become Mayor of Wilmore. In his first year, he will commission an ice skating rink in the Solomon’s Deck (formerly known as Fitch’s IGA) parking lot.
Chick-fil-A Comes to Wilmore. It’ll be the only location in America open on Sundays, because, in true Wilmore fashion, it’ll be closed on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to align with Estes Chapel.
Craig Reynolds Retires at the age of 105, Craig Reynolds will finally take a forced retirement, concluding an unprecedented 95-year career. Not only the longest-serving employee at this seminary, but in all of higher education. True to form, he’ll decline a retirement party, so we’ll have to lie to him, plan one anyway, and trick him into showing up. He will then try to stay after to clean up.
Jessica LaGrone WILL become a bishop in the GMC.
And people will say, “We knew it when Hunter Bethea posted his first hilarious meme of her on Facebook.”
When AI can’t keep up with the demand for writing books, it will turn to Ben Witherington and Craig Keener for help.
Midway through his presidency, Dr. David Watson surprised the seminary community by renovating Rose Hill and turning it into the Country Music National Guitar Museum, in honor of his heroes Willie and Waylon! It will include a black-and-white leather Telecaster said to have belonged to Waylon Jennings, and a weathered Martin N-20 with a trigger-shaped scratch allegedly blessed by Willie Nelson himself!
I love this. Prayers for Dr. Watson and ATS always on my heart to God’s heart!
Thanks for the love and prayers Melanie!
My husband and I actually went onto Google Street View to find out where the second traffic light is! When was that put in?
We moved to Wilmore in December 1996, and lived on Kinlaw Ave. We didn’t know about the 4th of July parade until I went out to get the newspaper that morning and found a bunch of jeeps parked along the street and soldiers standing on the front lawn! We always loved the lawnmower brigade.
Just to add to the “Legend of Larabee-Morris Hall,” in 1985 or so, those of us who lived in LM heard of plans to close it, move us out, and repurpose the building. In response, a solidified student residency rallied together with “Larabee Aid,” hoping to stem the tide against these plans. I don’t know if our efforts proved effective, or if the Administration just couldn’t stop laughing at our presentation, but all plans were scrapped, or at least delayed for the time being. So anything is possible in Wilmore! Even Jim becoming Mayor and Craig actually retiring. When that happens, let me know. I’m sure BW3 and AI will produce a collaborated account of the events!
Blessings.
So much fun. Thank you for sharing these memories and insights into the future. Praying for our new President and wife to have a sense of humor and joy in their new ministry.
This is wonderful and a great way to welcome Dr. Watson! I hope the incoming students will receive a copy as well.
Blessings, Sandi Conley
PS I moved back to Wilmore permanently this summer. I arrived just in time for 4th of July and my favorite Lawnmower Parade!
Well, this is just perfect, and I learned all kinds of important trivia — thanks Tammy and Jeremy!!!!