Contact: Kerry Traubert

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National Nonprofit Marks Milestone Effort
to Find Next Generation of Church Leaders

Growing need for young leaders creates ‘ecumenical leadership gap;’

Fund awards $1.5 million in 2008 fellowships, $16 million over decade

ATLANTA, June 2, 2008 – Congregations in most Christian denominations feel a growing need to
attract and retain qualified young clergy to their pulpits. As a generation of Baby Boomer pastors
prepares to retire, interest in congregational ministry is declining among students in North American
theological schools. The result is an ecumenical leadership gap that requires investment and
intervention to maintain quality and ward off mediocrity in the ministerial profession, according to
program officers at The Fund for Theological Education (FTE), an Atlanta-based nonprofit.
FTE seeks to reverse a 20-year decline in the number of clergy under age 35 by attracting and
supporting gifted college, seminary and doctoral students whose talents qualify them for any
profession but whose passions draw them toward the mantle of ministry or theological scholarship.
The Fund also aims to improve diversity on the faculties of North American theological schools.
“Some call Generation Y the most narcissistic generation in recent history, but that’s not what we
see,” said Dr. Trace Haythorn, FTE president. “We see bellwether Millennials motivated by a passion
for service, deep faith and a heightened interest in social issues. A new generation is stepping up to
explore paths of ministry and theological scholarship—but they’re redefining what that means for them
and what they seek in the church and its role in society.”
This month FTE awards more than $1.5 million in fellowships and support to 162 top students from
40 U.S. states and Canada—representing more than 30 denominations—to explore or prepare for
vocations as pastoral ministers or as professors in the theological academy.
Over the past decade, the Fund has awarded $16 million in support to nearly 1,500 students, the
majority of whom have pursued ordained ministry, a church-related vocation or a faculty post teaching
religion and theology.
“This intervention demonstrates that young people answer the call if we offer them support,” said
Haythorn. “But we have to take support to scale to meet the need for the talented, diverse leadership
congregations and campuses need.”
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FTE Ministry Program Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students (college juniors and
seniors); entering seminary students nominated by their congregations for awards to match church
support; second-year Master of Divinity students who are nominated by their seminary president or
dean; and recent college graduates who are participants in faith-based volunteer service and are
pursuing a Master of Divinity degree.
FTE Doctoral Program Fellowships are awarded to outstanding doctoral students from
underrepresented racial/ethnic groups who aspire to teach and do research as faculty in theological
schools. More than one-third of theological schools report they do not have a scholar of color on their
faculties. FTE Doctoral and Dissertation Fellowships support talented African-American doctoral
students; the Fund’s North American Doctoral Fellowships assist African-American, Asian-American,
Native American or Hispanic doctoral students. Both initiatives provide stipends for education-related
expenses and networking support to accelerate completion of the doctoral degree and to obtain
teaching positions.
The 2008 FTE Ministry and Doctoral Fellows will attend a national leadership conference, Next
Generation Leaders: Voices and Vocations that Change the World, to be held June 8-15 at Emory
University in Atlanta.
The Fund for Theological Education is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity
in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000
fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. For
more information visit www.thefund.org.
# # #

A list of 2008 FTE Fellowship recipients is attached.

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 2008 FTE Undergraduate Fellows

Mary Ann Alexander Piedmont College Southern Baptist Church

Daniel R. Awad Gordon College Arabic Evangelical Baptist Church
Tylon S. Axson Howard University Non-denominational
Rachel L. Bennett Chapman University Christian Church (DOC)
Emily S. Brewer Maryville College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Jeremy L. Brownlee Hanover College United Methodist Church
Maria M. Conroy College of Saint Benedict Roman Catholic Church
Philip M. Cortese Millsaps College Roman Catholic Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Emily E. Ewing Luther College
America
Jenny S. Faber University of Kansas Episcopal Church
Cassandra R. Fariss Simpson College American Baptist Church
Kelly J. Forbush Smith College United Church of Christ
Willie D. Francois Morehouse College National Baptist Church
Jessica L. Goad University of Arizona United Methodist Church
Robert M. Goehrke Yale University Assemblies of God (U.S.A.)
Elizabeth G. Greaves Hendrix College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Nathan J. Grieser Goshen College Mennonite Church
Dylan J. Haro University of La Verne Church of the Brethren
Janell D. Henderson Mary Baldwin College Non-denominational
Nicole Hoskins Spelman College United Church of Christ
Angela N. Hosteltler University of Waterloo Mennonite Brethren Church
Stephanie J. Karandy Nazareth College of Rochester United Methodist Church
Julie M. Kozikowski Saint Michael's College Roman Catholic Church
Irvin J. Lilly Lee University Church of God
Tyrone E. McGowan Morehouse College National Baptist Church

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Brittany N. McGraw Bluffton University Church of the Brethren
Sarah M. Moran Regis University Roman Catholic Church
Sara J. Moser Northwestern College United Methodist Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Kaitlin M. Nelson Huron University College
America
Imhotep A. Newsome Howard University Non-denominational
Joel T. Niemann Hastings College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Christopher L. Owen Marquette University Non-denominational
Koren B. Robins Virginia Wesleyan College United Methodist Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Anna K. Rohde Concordia College
America
Emily E. Rowell University of Virginia Episcopal Church
Kelly E. Ryan Grinnell College United Church of Christ
Anthony J. Sandusky American Baptist College Missionary Baptist Church
Caitlin K. Scott Connecticut College Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Karen M. Sease Furman University
America
Nathan S. Sell University of the South - Sewanee Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Scott A. Shaffer Eastern University United Methodist Church
Sarah L. Sheehan Furman University Southern Baptist Church
Hannah M. Sherrod Maryville College Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Vic D. Short Hastings College Roman Catholic Church
Amy L. Showalter Goshen College Mennonite Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Timothy D. Siburg Pacific Lutheran University
America
Nathan Tramp Hastings College Episcopal Church
Joseph S. Vuletich Regis University Roman Catholic Church
Kristen L. Walling American University Christian Church (DOC)
Megan N. Worthman Hastings College United Church of Christ

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 2008 FTE Congregational Fellows

John J. Alvaro Duke Divinity School Baptist

Kirsten Herndon Baer Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Timothy C. Baer Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Jennifer E. Barchi Princeton Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Cole G. Bentley Wartburg Theological Seminary
America
Drew University Theological
Michelle R. Bodle United Methodist Church
School
Vanderbilt University Divinity
Erin L. Brodhagen United Methodist Church
School
Vanderbilt University Divinity Evangelical Covenant Church in
Whitney D. Burr
School America
Kevin G. Caruso Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church
Christian Church (Disciples of
Catharine A. Cummings Harvard Divinity School
Christ)
Lindsey J. De Kruif Western Theological Seminary Reformed Church in America

L. Peter Doddema Virginia Theological Seminary Episcopal Church

Sara B. Dorrien Columbia Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Methodist Theological School in
Christina M. Fetherolf United Methodist Church
Ohio
University of Chicago Divinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Carolina C. Glauster
School America
Jillian L. Greene Princeton Theological Seminary Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Eric E. Hoffer Luther Seminary
America
Andrew S. Hudson Princeton Theological Seminary Church of God
Associated Mennonite Biblical
Scott S. Janzen Mennonite Church
Seminary

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Diane M. Kenaston Candler School of Theology
Scott R. Korljan Westminster Seminary California
Matthew A. Laferty Yale University Divinity School
Megan A. LeCluyse Princeton Theological Seminary
Kari A. Lipke Harvard Divinity School
Pacific Lutheran Theological
Heather T. Loomis
Seminary
Katelyn B. Macrae Yale University Divinity School
Ivan Martinez Duke Divinity School
Gregory E. McIntyre General Theological Seminary
Timothy P. Moore Fuller Theological Seminary
Justin W. Mootz Luther Seminary
Katherine T. Nakamura Virginia Theological Seminary
Lutheran School of Theology at
Kjersten L. Priddy
Chicago
Zeena B. Regis Columbia Theological Seminary
Kristin M. Reinhold Columbia Theological Seminary
Anthony L. Riley Princeton Theological Seminary
Christina N. Shults Pacific School of Religion
David C. Sibley General Theological Seminary
Shawn A. Torres Dallas Theological Seminary
Thomas P. H. Warren Duke Divinity School
Julia S. Wilkinson Harvard Divinity School
United Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
United Methodist Church
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Evangelical Covenant Church in
America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
United Church of Christ
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
National Baptist Church
Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod)
Episcopal Church
Baptist
Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church
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 2008 FTE Ministry Fellows
David J. Allen Duke Divinity School
Alwen G. Bledsoe Iliff School of Theology
Pacific Lutheran Theological
Benjamin F. Colahan
Seminary
Mary A. Conley Candler School of Theology
University of Chicago Divinity
Julian M. DeShazier
School
Jesuit School of Theology at
Melissa A. Granillo
Berkeley
Elyse M. Gustafson Duke Divinity School
Jesuit School of Theology at
Susan M. Haarman
Berkeley
Gretchen S. Haley Iliff School of Theology
Megan C. Handley Fuller Theological Seminary
Kathleen A. Healy University of Notre Dame
John M. Helmstadter, II Yale University Divinity School
Leslie J. Houseworth Candler School of Theology
Jack P. Lewis Eden Theological Seminary
Laura A. A. McCrae Wesley Theological Seminary
Waltrina N. Middleton Chicago Theological Seminary
Quinn C. Moerike Concordia Lutheran Seminary
Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Raymond D. Ranker
Philadelphia
Ingrid C. A. Rasmussen Candler School of Theology
Howard University School of
Joseph A. Smith
Divinity
United Methodist Church
Episcopal Church
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ)
United Church of Christ
Roman Catholic Church
Episcopal Church
Roman Catholic Church
Unitarian Universalist Association
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Roman Catholic Church
United Methodist Church
Progressive National Baptist
United Church of Christ
United Methodist Church
African Methodist Episcopal
Church
Lutheran Church Canada
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America
National Baptist Church
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 2008 FTE Volunteers Exploring Vocation Fellows

US-2 Program of the

Vanderbilt University United Methodist
Adam W. Burgett United Methodist
Divinity School Church
Church

Lutheran Theology
Lutheran Volunteer Evangelical Lutheran
Jason S. Glombicki Seminary at
Corps Church in America
Philadelphia

Mennonite Voluntary Associated Mennonite

Scott S. Janzen Mennonite Church
Service Biblical Seminary

Brethren Volunteer Harvard Divinity Unitarian Universalist

Rachel C. I. Long
Service School Association

Jesuit School of
Jesuit Volunteer Corps: Roman Catholic
Hung N. Pham Theology at
Southwest Church
Berkeley

Lutheran School of
Lutheran Volunteer Evangelical Lutheran
Rory S. Phillips Theology at
Corps Church in America
Chicago

The Johnson Intern North Park Theological Evangelical Lutheran

Kelly A. Sve
Program Seminary Church in America

McCormick
PCUSA Young Adult Presbyterian Church
Caroline H. Underwood Theological
Volunteer Program (U.S.A.)
Seminary

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 2008 FTE Doctoral Fellows

Lisa M. Bowens Princeton Theological Seminary New Testament

Karl F. Brower Catholic University of America Biblical Studies

Arthur F. Carter, Jr. Vanderbilt University New Testament

Jonathan L. Chism Rice University African American Religions

Christopher E. Harrison Graduate Theological Union Ethics

Jay-Paul M. Hinds Emory University Practical Theology

Union Theological Seminary and

Erica E. Kierulf Theology and Ethics
PSCE
Boston University School of
Gerone H. Lockhart Practical Theology
Theology

Duane T. Loynes Sr. Marquette University Theology

Sarah F. Poole Emory University Practical Theology

Carolyn E. Roberts Harvard University Religion, Gender and Culture

Shively T. J. Smith Emory University New Testament

Lisa L. Thompson Vanderbilt University Homiletics

Jaime L. Waters Johns Hopkins University Hebrew Bible

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 2008 FTE North American Doctoral Fellows

Stephanie M. Crumpton Columbia Theological Seminary Pastoral Care and Counseling

Cristian De La Rosa Chicago Theological Seminary Sacred Theology

Courtney T. Goto Emory University Practical Theology

Wycliffe College, University of

Alison A. Hari-Singh Theology
Toronto
Brite Divinity School of Texas
Naw San Dee KD New Testament
Christian University

Tamura A. Lomax Vanderbilt University Black Religion/Culture Studies

Eboni K. Marshall Union Theological Seminary Christian Social Ethics

Wendell C. Miller Claremont Graduate University Religion

Constance P. Pope University of Chicago Theology

Kimberly D. Russaw Vanderbilt University Hebrew Bible

Joseph L. Tucker Edmonds Duke University Religion

Garrett-Evangelical Theological
Manuel Villalobos-Mendoza New Testament
Seminary

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 2008 FTE Doctoral Renewal Fellowships

Sybrina Y. Atwaters Georgia Institute of Technology Religion/Technology

Antonia M. Daymond University of Chicago Theology

Historical and Systematic

Joseph S. Flipper Marquette University
Theology

Alisha L. Jones University of Chicago Sacred Music

African American Religious

Terri Laws Rice University
Studies

Jennifer S. Leath Yale University Ethics

Andrew L. Prevot University of Notre Dame Systematic Theology

Shanell T. Smith Drew University New Testament

Sakena D. Young-Scaggs Drew University Religion and Society

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 2008 FTE Dissertation Fellows

Brian K. Bantum Duke University Systematic Theology

Wylin J. Dassie Emory University Ethics and Society

Keri L. Day Harrison Vanderbilt University Theological Ethics

Derek S. Hicks Rice University Religious Studies

Monique N. Moultrie Vanderbilt University Ethics

Nichole R. Phillips Vanderbilt University Religion and Psychology

Amy E. Steele Vanderbilt University Ethics

Jeffery R. Thomas Claremont School of Theology Theology and Personality

Joseph R. Winters Princeton University Religion, Ethics and Politics

Almeda M. Wright Emory University Practical Theology

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