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Over 100 alumni, family members, faculty and staff attended the 2009 Alumni Reunion on March 5th. It was an energizing opportunity to catch up with classmates and former Seminary colleagues.
Special recognition was given to alumni who were celebrating their 50+ graduation anniversaries. In attendance from the 50 year class was Marlin Schaffstall '59.
The current seniors at the Seminary were welcomed as new alumni and the 2009-12 members of the Alumni Board of Governors were elected. Joining the Board of Governors for a 3-year term will be Beth Rohn '01, Dean Jurgen '81 and William Needs. The current slate of officers were re-elected to serve next year in the same capacities — president Derek French '95, vice president Katie Van Der Linden '06 and secretary Bruce Bowen '01, '03.
Highlighting the Alumni Reunion Luncheon was the presentation of the two Alumni Recognition Awards. Each recipient was nominated by their fellow graduates for their distinquished ministries.
Tom Lichner '82 was honored with the 2009 Bishop Kortz Award in Pastoral Counseling for his outstanding and faithful service as pastor, counselor and spiritual director. He currently serves as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and has had a rich history of serving people and organizations in the Lehigh Valley as a pastoral counselor and spiritual director. He was instrumental in creating a retreat day for area pastoral counselors, which eventually grew into the annual Pastoral Counseling Retreat Day sponsored by MTS.
The recipient of the 2009 John Hus Award was Bob Sawyer '67, honored for his outstanding ministry as a leader in the Moravian Church and for his compassionate and visionary service in ecumenical settings. Bob currently serves as the executive director of Pilgrims of Ibillin in Galilee, Israel, which builds schools for Palestinian children. A denominational leader, Bob served as the President of the Southern Province of the Moravian Church and President of the world-wide Unity Board of the Moravian Church.
The 2010 Alumni Reunion Luncheon is scheduled for Thursday, March 11, 2010. Please don't miss it. Your classmates look forward to catching up with you!
Click here for info on the 2010 Alumni Reunion. |
