| Ferrum
College is proud to announce that the United Methodist Higher Education
Foundation, which comprises 124 United Methodist preparatory schools,
colleges and universities across the country including Duke, Vanderbilt,
Emory, Syracuse and Boston University, has named Rev. C. Wesley Astin,
Jr., Dean of the Chapel and Religious Life, Chaplain of the Year. A
ceremony to present the award is being scheduled and will be announced
in the coming weeks. *UPDATE: The Award Ceremony
for Chaplain of The Year will take place in Vaughn Chapel on Wednesday,
April 27th at 4:30p.m. followed by a reception. The event is open to
the public and will feature speakers as well as the award presentation
by the United Methodist Higher Education Foundation.
The Chaplain of the Year award recognizes
and encourages excellence in ministry to UM-related schools, colleges,
universities, and theological schools. Each year a chaplain is selected
whose ministry is acknowledged as extraordinary. Nominees should demonstrate
excellence in programming in at least three of the seven following areas:
enhancement, understanding, and appreciation of the institution's relationship
to The UMC; development of voluntary community service programs; spiritual
growth of students; opportunities for student leadership development;
strengthening global awareness; the role of values in higher education;
and building a sense of community on campus.
“Ferrum College recognizes its uniqueness
as a church-related institution of higher education. It provides a spiritual
respite for its students through an ‘open door’ policy in the Chaplain’s
Office and through an active religious life program that seeks to minister
to as many students from as many backgrounds as possible. Therefore,
it was a privilege for me to nominate our Chaplain, Rev. C. Wesley Astin,
Jr., for the award of Chaplain of the Year.” says Dr. Jennifer L. Braaten,
president of Ferrum College.
Each year, UMHEF presents awards in four
major categories: The Stanley S. Kresge Award, the Outstanding Educator
of the Year, Chaplain of the Year, and Campus Minister of the Year.
Winners are selected from nominees all over the nation and represent
excellence and a commitment to quality higher education in UM-related
schools, colleges, universities, and theological schools.
In 2003, the United Methodist Higher
Education Foundation named Professor Pete Crow Outstanding Educator
of the Year.
Dr. Braaten remarks, “To have two exceptional
members of our Ferrum College community recognized in this significant
and extraordinary way is indeed a laudable accomplishment.”
The United Methodist Higher Education
Foundation (UMHEF) was established in 1965 thanks to the vision of then
Syracuse University Chancellor William Pearson Tolley. As defined in
paragraph 1422 of the Discipline of The United Methodist Church, its
purpose is to raise, manage, and distribute funds to foster education
in a Christian context in schools, colleges, universities, and theological
schools within The United Methodist Church and other institutions approved
by the Board of Trustees.
The Chaplain’s Office at Ferrum College
can be contacted at (540)365-4286.
Ferrum College is a four-year,
private, co-educational, liberal arts college affiliated with the United
Methodist Church. Ferrum offers a choice of nationally recognized bachelor’s
degree programs at a cost well below the national average for private
colleges. For more information on Ferrum, visit www.ferrum.edu. |
