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Nine graduates receive scholarships for theological education

Dec. 6, 2005

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Six women and three men selected as the
2006-07 Dempster Scholars will receive awards of $2,000 to $10,000 next
year to further their theological studies.

"These awards have helped graduate students move toward careers in
theological education for the past five decades and represent the United
Methodist Church's strong commitment of excellence in theological
education, both in the United States and around the world," said the
Rev. Robert Kohler, a staff executive in the Division of Ordained
Ministry at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The scholarships are given through the denomination's ministerial
education fund and the board's Division of Ordained Ministry to assist
students in their pursuit off careers in theological education. The
board announced the nine recipients Nov. 20. Five Dempster Graduate
Fellowship recipients will receive awards of up to $10,000 a year for
five years, not to exceed $30,000 total. The four Dempster Graduate
Scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to $5,000 a year.

The 2006-07 Dempster Graduate Fellowship recipients are:

"	Tiffany Lynn Steinwert, a probationary member of the New England
Annual (regional) Conference and graduate of Williams College and Boston
University School of Theology. She is enrolled in the doctor of theology
program at Boston University School of Theology.

"	Jane Ellen Nickell, an ordained elder of the West Virginia
Annual Conference and a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and
Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tenn. She is enrolled in the
doctoral program at Drew University, Madison, N.J.

"	Rebecca Jane Irelan, an ordained elder in the California-Nevada
Annual Conference, is a graduate of Boston University and Duke Divinity
School. She is enrolled in a doctoral  program at Graduate Theological
Union, Berkeley, Calif.

"	Mary K. Cavazos, an ordained elder of the West Ohio Annual
Conference, is a graduate of Albion College and Methodist Theological
School in Ohio. She is enrolled in a doctoral program at Drew
University, Madison, N.J.

"	Sharon Lynn Betsworth, an ordained elder in the Iowa Annual
Conference, is a graduate of Luther College, Wesley Theological Seminary
and Princeton Theological Seminary. She is in her fifth year of a
doctoral program at Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif.

Nickell, Irelan, Cavazos and Betsworth are all past fellowship
recipients.

The 2006-07 Dempster Graduate Scholarship recipients are:

"	Jeremy Todd Bakker, a certified candidate in the North Texas
Annual Conference, is a graduate of the University of North Texas and
Perkins School of Theology. He is in his first year of a doctoral
program at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

"	Kirk Alan VanGilder, an ordained elder in the
Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, is a graduate of Ball State
University and Iliff School of Theology. He is	enrolled in his third
year of a doctorate of theology program at Boston University.

"	Julie Marie Todd, an ordained elder in the New England Annual
Conference, is a graduate of Boston University. She is in her first year
of a joint University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology doctoral
program.

"	Douglas Dean Tzan, an ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington
Annual Conference, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and
Iliff School of Theology. He is in his first year of a doctorate of
theology program at Boston University School of Theology.

Bakker and VanGilder have previously received Dempster Fellowships.

The 51-year-old awards are named for John Dempster, a 19th century
Methodist preacher who helped found three denominationally related
seminaries.

"The fellowships are among the most important academic awards in the
nation and are significant commitments to the future United Methodist
biblical and theological scholarship," Kohler said.

Selection is based on intellectual excellence, academic achievement,
promise of usefulness in teaching careers, personal qualities, clarity
of spiritual purpose, and commitment to Christian ministry and the
preparation of pastoral leadership for the church.

For more information on the Dempster Graduate scholarships and
fellowships, contact the Division of Ordained Ministry at (615) 340-7388
or e-mail jknox@gbhem.org.

*Information for the above article was adapted from a release by Vicki
Brown of the Office of Interpretation at the United Methodist Board of
Higher Education and Ministry.

********************

United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org

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