June 2020

The Rev. Dr. Margot Perez-Greene, Ph.D., Associate Dean of Enrollment Management Much is uncertain these days. But Perkins’ Office of Enrollment Management stands ready to receive applications for the fall of 2020 and spring of 2021. Please take every advantage to share this information with your constituencies. As we navigate the concerns relating to COVID-19, we have shifted to a Zoom meeting format. We’re committed to ensuring that prospective students receive the information they need as they [...]

This has been the most unusual academic year! Who would have thought that we would be “locked down” from March 16 to the end of the semester? In spite of the difficulties, our faculty pivoted quickly and began to teach online. Students adapted to a new educational reality. Staff members worked remotely and were able to accomplish their tasks. Like you, we carried on in new and uncharted ways. Undoubtedly, your world changed as much as ours did. We [...]

Members of the Perkins community are actively joining the nationwide conversation about racial justice, following the news of George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis on Monday and the resulting protests. Several alumni participated in an afternoon prayer vigil May 31 in front of the Dallas Police Station, including the Rev. Paul Rasmussen (M.Div. '04), who offered the prayer and invited all present to kneel. Rasmussen is Senior Minister at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. The Rev. George Mason, [...]

Five years ago, Kevin Turner was looking to further his education while continuing in his position as pastor of Worship and Music at Davidson United Methodist Church in Davidson, North Carolina. Ideally, he wanted a doctoral program that would blend study in his two interests, theology and music. A friend at Discipleship Ministries urged him to call Michael Hawn at Perkins. The rest is history. On May 16, 2020, Turner became the first student to earn a Doctor of [...]

Many students gravitate to Perkins as a path to parish ministry. But these three students are pursuing alternative ways to serve – and, they say, they’ve found a supportive environment at Perkins that’s helping them along the way. Collin Yarbrough: Full Circle Bakery Collin Yarbrough’s innovative ministry is based on a delicious concept: bake cookies and help others. Since 2012, he has been doing just that with a “for purpose” business called Full Circle Bakery. The bakery sources ingredients [...]

It wasn’t held at Highland Park United Methodist Church, as in past years, but the End of the Year Gathering for the graduating Class of 2020 had its own unique and memorable moments. More than 150 faculty, students, friends and family members assembled virtually on Thursday, May 14, via Zoom to honor Perkins’ graduating seniors and outstanding current students. Organized by Perkins’ Office of Student Life and Community Engagement, the End of the Year Gathering was a new event [...]

“This is not how we expected today to go,” said Madison Garcia, “yet here we are.” With those words, Garcia opened the Perkins Graduate Worship Service, held May 15 via Zoom, with Prof. Alyce McKenzie preaching. Nearly 100 students, faculty, family and friends were in attendance for the virtual worship service. The program was organized by members of the Senior Class worship committee, which included Kathy Hines, Joyce Vanderlip, Sumesh Jacob, Cheryl Roseborough, Nick McRae, Ellen Chimowa, Macie Liptoi [...]

Summer is a great time for expanding knowledge and sharpening skills. Three Perkins departments – Alumni, Admissions and the Office of External Programs – are teaming up to offer a wide range of summer opportunities for lifelong learning. Four continuing education webinars and three informal “Monday Musings” will be offered beginning in June, with tentative plans underway to add more later in the summer. Alumni, current and prospective students, and anyone with an interest are all invited to participate [...]

Sze-kar Wan didn’t meet his grandfather until he immigrated to the U.S. from Hong Kong at age 15. Yet the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s life, in China and the U.S., has influenced Wan’s own life immeasurably. “I’m a first-generation immigrant,” he said. “My grandfather’s life story became a part of me.” At the age of 8, Wan’s grandfather, Bing-gyue Hom (“Bing” to all who knew him) was kidnapped along with his younger brother. The brothers were separated, and [...]