General Board of Higher Education and Ministry – Loan Suspension Program
In response to the economic impact of the global pandemic, the GBHEM Office of Loans and Scholarships has made some important updates to its policies. GBHEM is aiding student loan borrowers whose income has been impacted as a result of the pandemic. Borrowers currently in repayment may request a payment suspension for three months. Read more here.
Waters Quoted on COVID-19 Cases
D Magazine recently quoted the Rev. Dr. Michael Waters (D.Min. ’12, M.Div. ’06) in a story about how limited testing in low-income neighborhoods of Dallas is likely skewing the reported number of cases. Waters, who is the head pastor at Abundant Life AME Church in Dolphin Heights, just east of Fair Park, said, “I want to temper myself, but this is what I expected, this has been my fear. The old saying that “when white America catches a cold, black America catches the flu”? Well, if white America now has the coronavirus, what does that mean for black, brown, marginalized and poor communities in our society? It’s always worse.” Read the story here.
Perkins Grad Honored
At a recent fundraising luncheon for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Perkins grad and equal justice advocate Cynthia Wallace (M.A.M. ’18) was named Volunteer of the Year. Until 2019 she was program coordinator at the Juvenile Detention Center in Dallas County. Broadcast journalist and executive producer Soledad O’Brien served as the event’s keynote speaker. The luncheon raised more than $1.3 million for the organization, which serves 85,000 Central and North Texans each year in Austin, Corsicana, Dallas, Fort Worth, Paris, Tyler, Waco and surrounding communities.
Perkins Alum to Serve as Interim Chaplain
The Rev. Ellen R. Alston (M.Div. ’90) has been named interim Hendrix College Chaplain, effective July 1, by President Ellis Arnold, in consultation with Bishop Gary E. Mueller, episcopal leader of the Arkansas Conference of the United Methodist Church. An Arkansas native, Alston has served the United Methodist Church in Louisiana for nearly two decades in numerous clergy and leadership roles, including two District Superintendent appointments.
Honorary Doctorate to Jack Singleton
Hendrix College plans to posthumously award the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Jack Singleton at the 136th Hendrix College Commencement, scheduled for May 16 at the Wellness and Athletics Center Event Gym. Singleton graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1957. His sadness over the division and anger of the community surrounding integrating the school inspired his lifelong passion for justice. He graduated from Hendrix College and earned a Master of Divinity degree from Perkins. While attending Perkins, he became involved in the Civil Rights movement, marching in Selma with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and hosting King on a visit to the SMU campus. At deadline, the commencement was scheduled to proceed. Visit www.hendrix.edu/commencement for updates.
Friends We Will Miss
The Rev. Clarence W. Kidd
The Rev. Clarence W. Kidd (M.Th. ’80), the father of Shunda Wilkin, passed away in his sleep on March 7. Funeral services were held March 18 in Shreveport, LA. His daughter, Shunda Wilkin, asks for prayers for her family, especially her mother, Mrs. Emma Kidd. The family celebrated Clarence and Emma’s 61st anniversary on January 1, 2020.
Dr. Timothy D. Maxwell
Dr. Timothy D. Maxwell, who began teaching at Hendrix College in the Department of Psychology in 1989, passed away on March 2. Maxwell graduated from Hendrix in 1978, then earned a Master of Theological Studies from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology in 1983 and a Ph.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 1990. Fellow Hendrix faculty remember Maxwell as a beloved colleague, mentor and friend who enriched the Hendrix community in a variety of ways, including passionate teaching, meaningful student advising and more than 12 years of dedicated service as department chair. Maxwell is survived by his wife, Carol, and his sons, Colin and Cameron. A Memorial Service was held on March 7 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Little Rock. A Celebration of Life was held at Hendrix College on March 12. Read his obit here.