First Woman Dean of Chapel Jessica LaGrone Installed

On September 11, 2014 over 220 students, faculty, staff, friends and family gathered to celebrate the installation of Reverend Jessica LaGrone as Asbury Theological Seminary’s first woman Dean of Chapel. Reverend LaGrone is formerly an Associate Pastor of the 10,000-member The Woodlands United Methodist Church near Houston, Texas, where one of her key responsibilities was the oversight of the weekly worship services, including liturgical, blended and contemporary services. She became an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2005 and is also a 2002 M.Div. graduate of Asbury Theological Seminary where she was awarded the 2002 Stanger Preaching Award. President Tennent officiated the installation with former president Dr. Ellsworth Kalas, Senior Professor of Homiletics giving the charge. In addition, Dr. Tennent, Dr. Kalas, former Dean of Chapel Dr. C. Reginald Johnson, Roy and Weezie Anderson Professor of Prayer and Spiritual Formation, Dr. Robert J. Stamps, Visiting Professor of Worship and former Dean of Chapel, and Mr. Kevin Cook, Coordinator of Worship were called upon to lay hands and pray over Reverend LaGrone during the installation. The Wilmore campus is incredibly blessed and excited to have such an inspiring and godly Chapel leader as Reverend Jessica LaGrone.