wfn.org | Dempster Awards Announced

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3482 notes).

Note 3480 by UMNS on March 11, 1997 at 16:16 Eastern (3922 characters).

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the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
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CONTACT: Linda Green                          126(10-63-71B){3480}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470            March 11, 1997
 
Dempster Graduate Fellowships 
awarded to five students

     NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- Five doctoral candidates preparing
for careers in theological education are 1997-98 recipients of the
43rd annual Dempster Graduate Fellowships offered by the United
Methodist Church's Division of Ordained Ministry.
     The fellowships for $10,000 to $11,000 each, are the largest
offered by a Protestant denomination. The fellowships have helped
graduate students prepare for careers in theological education for
the past four decades and represent the United Methodist Church's
strong commitment to excellence in theological education,
according to the Rev. John E. Harnish, a division staff executive.
     The awards are named for John Dempster, a 19th-century
Methodist preacher who helped establish three  United Methodist-
related seminaries.
     According to Harnish, the fellowships are "a significant
commitment to future United Methodist biblical and theological 
scholarship." 
     Selections for the Dempster award are based on intellectual
competence, academic achievement, promise of usefulness in
teaching careers, personal qualities, clarity of spiritual purpose
and commitment.
     The 1997-98 recipients:
     * Joel David Rasmussen, a native of Scottsdale, Ariz., a
graduate of the University of Kansas and Boston School of
Theology. He is studying clinical pastoral education at Northwest
Community Hospital and plans to pursue his doctoral degree at Yale
University in philosophy of religion.
     * Il Sup Ahn, a native of Seoul, Korea, a graduate of Yonsei
University and Candler School of Theology. He is a member of the
North Georgia Conference, attends Candler School of Theology,
Emory University and plans to pursue a doctorate at the University
of Chicago in Christian ethics.
     * Dori Lynn Baker, a native of Tampa, Fla., ordained member
of the Northern Illinois Conference and a graduate of the
University of South Florida and Garrett-Evangelical Theological
Seminary. She is enrolled at Northwestern University specializing
in Christian education for youth and young adults. She also
received the award for 1996-97.
     * Daniel Milton Bell, Jr., a native of Detroit, Mich., an
ordained member of the Florida Conference, a graduate of Stetson
University and Duke Divinity School. He is in the Ph.D. program at
Duke Divinity School in the field of theology and ethics. He also
received the award for 1996-97.
     * Gilbert Lee Ramsey, Jr., a native of Savannah, Ga.,
ordained member of the North Georgia Conference, a graduate of
Emory University, Young Harris College and Candler School of
Theology. He is enrolled in Vanderbilt University's Graduate
Division of Religion studying homiletics and religion and
personality. He also received the award for 1996-97.
     The Dempster Fellowship is money well invested, Harnish said.
"We are literally touching the future of the church as we enable
people to prepare to teach in our theological schools. Since the
Dempster Fellowships are funded through the Ministerial Education
Fund, every local church is investing in these scholarships by its
support of the MEF apportionment," Harnish said.
     "Financial matters all too often force students to curtail
their studies," Harnish said. "We are trying to make possible the
preparation of top quality, highly dedicated individuals who will
train the next generation of pastors, teachers and scholars for
the ministry of Jesus Christ. This fellowship represents the
support of the whole church for theological education."
                              #  #  #

     

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