wfn.org | Foundation of Christian Higher Education Awards

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CONTACT: Linda Green					(10-71B){161}
	    Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470	March 18, 1998

Christian Higher Education Foundation gives
annual extraordinary ministry awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) -- A 103-year-old woman from Georgia is the
recipient of the annual award that honors United Methodists who have
shown dedication to the denomination and given unselfish support to
United Methodist education.
Margaret Adger Pitts, a longtime member of Waverly Hall (Ga.) United
Methodist Church, is the recipient the 1998 Stanley S. Kresge Award, an
award given by the United Methodist Foundation for Christian Higher
Education. 
The foundation, with offices here, raises, manages and distributes funds
to foster education in a Christian contest in schools, colleges,
universities and theological schools in the United Methodist Church and
other institutions approved by its board of trustees.
The recipient of the Kresge award along with the recipients of the
annual Outstanding Educator, Chaplain of the Year and Campus Minister of
the Year awards were announced March 7 during the semi-annual board of
trustees meeting of the foundation.
Pitts received the award named in honor of the late Stanley  S. Kresge,
a member of the United Methodist Church who embodied dedicated
membership in the denomination and unselfish support of education.
	In nominating her for the award, Kirk Treible, president of
United Methodist-related Andrew College, Cuthbert, Ga., said, "It was
Miss Margaret's vision and her desire to give unselfishly that kept us
open to do our work for the United Methodist Church. The extent to which
her generosity has touched the lives of literally thousands of
individuals cannot be measured."
	Pitts makes personal contributions in excess of one-half million
dollars each year to church-related colleges including: Emory
University, Andrew College, Young Harris College, LaGrange College,
Reinhardt College, as well as The Methodist Center, Epworth-by-the-Sea,"
he said.  "In addition to personal contributions, as trustee of the
W.I.H. and Lula E. Pitts Foundation, she has given almost $10 million to
these organizations," Treible said.
	The Kresge award includes a medallion, a certificate of merit
and a $10,000 scholarship for the United Methodist-related school where
the recipient is a volunteer.
Vicente Domingo Villa, a professor of biology at Southwestern
University, Georgetown, Texas, is the recipient of the Outstanding
Educator of the Year Award for 1998.
 	This award was established to honor teachers in United
Methodist-related schools, colleges, universities, and theological
schools whose accomplishments have made an extraordinary impact on their
students, peers, academic institution, church, and community.
	"Never before in my 28 years as a college president have I come
across a more compassionate, dedicated, and tenacious teacher and mentor
of students than Dr. Villa. He is truly unique," said Roy B. Shilling
Jr., president of Southwestern University.
	Recipient of this award receives an artistic replica of the
Cokesbury Bell and a cash award of $5,000.
	Being honored for extraordinary chaplaincy ministry at a United
Methodist-related institution is the Rev. Jim Davis, chaplain at the
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Wash., for 21 years. He is the
recipient of the annual Chaplain of the Year Award
	Davis, was nominated for this award by Merrillann Hutchinson,
chair of the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry for the
Pacific Northwest Annual Conference.
	"Jim Davis has inspired and given leadership example to each new
generation of students as they have now become enthusiastic in
reclaiming the name and history of the United Methodist Student
Movement," Hutchinson said.
	Recipient of this award receives an inscribed sculpture and a
cash award of $5,000 to further the development of programs sponsored by
their office.
	Denise "Dee" Baker, campus minister at the University of Toledo,
Toledo, Ohio, is the recipient of the Campus Minister of the Year award.
The award recognizes and encourages excellence in campus ministry.
	"Baker has reached out to students, offering spiritual direction
as well as providing service and fellowship
opportunities. Under her direction, the Toledo Campus Ministry now has a
music ensemble, weekly Bible studies, regular Sunday worship, and a
quarterly coffeehouse," said Nancy M. Wellman, Toledo Campus Ministry
board member.
	The recipient of this award receives an inscribed sculpture and
a cash award of $5,000 to further the development of programs sponsored
by the campus minister's office.

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