FTE Board Appoints Richard Haythorn as President

of The Fund for Theological Education

Pastor, Professor and Founder of Servant Leadership Center
Will Guide ‘New Era of Engagement’ with Fund Partners

ATLANTA, November 26, 2007 – The Board of Trustees of The Fund for
Theological Education (FTE) has appointed the Rev. Dr. Richard “Trace”
Haythorn—pastor, professor and advocate for servant leadership—as the
Fund’s new president, effective January 2008. The appointment was
confirmed with Haythorn’s election to the FTE Board by the Association
of Theological Schools on November 30.

Haythorn is currently Director of the Vocation and Values program and

founder of the Center for Servant Leadership at Hastings College, a highly
regarded Presbyterian liberal arts school recognized for the close personal
attention and nurturing environment it provides its students. He also serves
as assistant professor in the Hastings College Department of Religion.

“As a bridge-builder between the church and the academy, and as an expert
on the intersection of faith, values and vocation, Trace Haythorn is uniquely
qualified to lead the Fund,” said the Rev. Dr. Gary V. Simpson, FTE Board
Chair. The Rev. Dr. Richard Haythorn
FTE President

“Informed by his experience as a minister, academic and respected adviser to college youth, Trace knows that
quality leadership and a commitment to diversity matter—in the church, in the classroom and in the public square.
He is passionate about FTE’s mission: to inspire young people with gifts for leadership to consider serving God’s
church and world as ordained Christian ministers and theological scholars. Trace’s track record of engaging
partners from different sectors in a common cause will be particularly valuable as FTE begins a new era of
engagement with its partners.”

Haythorn’s pastoral work and scholarship have focused on the power of education to transform cultures and lives.
He has particular interest in an ecumenical approach to raising the next generation of leaders for the church, and
in building mutual understanding between people of different denominations, races and ethnicities.

In congregational ministry, Haythorn has served pastorates including Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nash-
ville, Tennessee; Toorak Uniting Church in Melbourne, Australia; and the chaplaincy at Nazareth College in
Rochester, New York.

His parish work emphasized the vital role congregations play in cultivating a strong sense of Christian vocation
among youth and also the importance of interfaith dlogue in pluralistic communities.

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As an author, Haythorn recently completed a study guide for “Struggling with Scripture,” written by FTE Fellow
Walter Brueggemann and co-authors William Placher and Brian Blount. Dr. Brueggemann, professor emeritus at
Columbia Theological Seminary, calls Haythorn a “creative, strategic thinker with a strong love of church ministry
and teaching.”

Working closely with Brueggemann further shaped Haythorn’s view of FTE as an effective catalyst for nurturing
future pastors and scholars.

“Having the privilege to work with distinguished FTE Fellows—and to see the Fund’s impact at the campus
level—gives me deep respect for the Fund’s legacy of excellence,” Haythorn said. “I look forward to working with
the Fund’s Trustees and talented staff as we reach out to young people and to the adults who influence the paths
they choose.”

Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker, FTE vice president for Doctoral Programs and Administration, and Ms. Melissa
Wiginton, vice president for Ministry Programs and Planning, continue to lead the Fund’s fellowship initiatives.

Dr. Carol Lytch, an FTE Fellow and assistant executive director of The Association of Theological Schools (ATS),
said of Haythorn’s appointment, “I have seen Trace Haythorn’s ability to bring talented people from varied institu-
tions together to create and implement coordinated strategies that help young people discern their calling. That
ability will translate into excellent leadership to fulfill the Fund’s mission. FTE and ATS share a common
commitment to identify, educate and prepare the next generation of gifted and diverse ministerial leaders and
theological scholars. We welcome Trace as a partner in this work.” Daniel Aleshire, ATS executive director,
served as an adviser to the FTE Presidential Search Committee.

Haythorn holds a Ph.D. in the cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University, a Master of Divinity
degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts degree in marketing and psychology from
Austin College. He and his wife, Mary Stoops—also a Presbyterian minister—have a daughter and a son and
will make Atlanta their new home.

FTE is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholar-
ship. Its work supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing more than $1.2
million annually in fellowships and other support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic
backgrounds. Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to
the future of quality leadership for the church.

The Fund also serves as a resource for congregations and for educational and faith communities in their role of
identifying and encouraging young people to consider ministry as a vocation. For more information about FTE
visit www.thefund.org.

Media Contact: Kerry Traubert

(404) 727-1170

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