The Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago
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The Disciples Divinity House of the University of Chicago Vol. 89, No. 1 DDH Bulletin 125th Anniversary Edition Summer 2019 ture,” he explained. “Yet what is com- Celebrating 125 years ing is unknown…. Especially in days of such local and global crisis, anxiety, and suffering, how do we discern the future, not only with hope, but in- deed with gratitude? How can we now be grateful for what is to come?” (His remarks are published in this Bulletin.) Highlights of the weekend in- cluded a gala dinner at the Quadran- gle Club, with Masters of Ceremony Gaylord Yu and Drew Powell, film and television actor (Gotham, Pon- derosa, and Malcolm in the Middle). Chad Martin, Trustee Chair of the 125th Anniversary, Board of Trustees President April Lewton, and Dean Kris Culp spoke. Bringing greetings Over 250 alumni/ae, friends, and The theme for the weekend, were Divinity Dean David Nirenberg, current students gathered May 24-26 “Grateful for what is to come,” was Disciples General Minister and Presi- to celebrate DDH’s 125th anniver- enunciated by Larry Bouchard in a dent Teresa Hord Owens, Bill Blake- sary. Alums spanning six decades and keynote address. “We should be grate- more and Jory B. Johnson, and Heike friends from near and far traveled to ful for the Disciples House’s inspiring Springhart for the Theologisches Stu- Chicago for the celebration. history; but let our focus be the fu- (continued on page 4) Grateful for what is to come: $4M campaign for scholarships, internships, and accessibility As the Disciples Divinity House cel- “Plans for the 125th anniversary ebrates an historic 125th anniversary, have been in the works for five years,” we give thanks for its remarkable lega- explained Trustee Chad H. Martin, cy, and for the individuals, churches, who is Chair of the 125th Anniver- and organizations who have made its sary. “And, believe it or not, the most legacy possible. In that spirit, we are difficult part of the entire planning also grateful for what is to come. process was determining our theme. This is why the trustees have Of course, we bask in the history of launched a $4 million campaign to the House – and rightly so. DDH, for undergird scholarships, to create new being a three-story building on the immersive learning opportunities, corner of 57th Street and University and to enhance accessibility to our be- loved “House.” (continued on page 2) 2 Grateful (continued from previous page) Avenue, with a full-time staff that you can count on one hand, has had a rel- atively super-sized impact on the Uni- versity, the community, the ministry, the denomination, the world. That is worth celebrating.” “However, no one—not the trust- ees, alumni/ae, dean, staff, or stu- dents—wants to describe DDH only in terms of what has been done in the past. So, when Larry Bouchard offered the phrase, grateful for what is Chad H. Martin is Chair of the 125th Anniversary. A member of the Board of Trustees to come, we knew that captured the es- since 1998, he served as its President from 2010-15. He is the Chief Financial Officer sence of our celebration.” of MeridianLink. A lifelong Disciple, he is a graduate of Texas Christian University (BS) For 125 years, the Disciples Di- and of Stanford University (MBA). The Martin family lives in California. vinity House has fostered an atmo- “We started the silent phase a year of our overall $4 million goal, with an- sphere electric with possibilities for ex- ago – and the response has been over- other significant amount in the com- cellence in ministry, scholarship, and whelmingly positive and generous. mitment process. But we still need to public leadership. Its singular residen- Much of this generosity is expressed raise additional funds.” tial scholarship program and intellec- through commitments that will fully Cash gifts may be made through tual community, offered in connec- endow at least six new scholarships at pledges that will be fulfilled over the tion with the University of Chicago $250,000 each. In fact, we were able next three years. And any estate gift Divinity School, prepares men and as a Board yesterday to formally create that evidences the House as a future women to be the creative thinkers the Dr. Geunhee and Mrs. Geunsoon beneficiary will be counted. Each and and courageous leaders needed in the Yu Scholarship. THAT is our mission every gift conveys hope for and belief church and wider world today. in action, and evidence the campaign in a future where community, curios- “As part of preparing the House is already a success.” ity, and courage continue to shape the for what is to come, we are raising “And to give a sense for the level world. funds to support and enhance its mis- of generosity that has already been ex- That generosity will support sion for the next 125 years,” Martin pressed in the silent phase, over $2.5 three crucial purposes: announced at the Anniversary Dinner million is already pledged or commit- Funding for critical ministry and on May 25. ted. We have already raised over 60% scholarship and, closely related, funding for internships and immersive learning. An expansion of scholarships, both in number and in innovative use of funds, will help ensure that students are ready to provide critical ministry and scholarship for our globalized and swiftly changing world. The Barbara and Clark William- son, Dr. Geunhee and Mrs. Geun- soon Yu, Jim and Peggy Powell, Amy A. Northcutt, Martin Family, and Kristine A. Culp Scholarships will honor beloved individuals and ex- press commitment to future leaders. Thanks to the generosity of a trustee, gifts for the Powell and Culp scholar- ships will be matched. Drew Powell, Master of Ceremonies, at the 125th Anniversary dinner 3 THE DISCIPLES DIVINITY HOUSE of the UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO 1156 East 57th Street Chicago, IL 60637 773.643.4411 ddh.uchicago.edu Dean Kristine A. Culp Associate Dean Yvonne T. Gilmore Administrator Daette G. Lambert Director of Finance Parag Shah Board of Trustees President April J. Lewton Vice President Pamela James Jones Secretary Paul A. Steinbrecher Treasurer Mareta J. Smith Constance U. Battle Verity A. Jones place. “One of the most unique things MDiv or PhD. But I understand re- Joan Bell-Haynes Angela A. Kaufman about the House is that it remains a turn on investment. I know that my Larry D. Bouchard Alexis Kassim ‘house’ – a physical place for students, time spent on the Board, and my fam- Thandiwe Dale-Ferguson Cynthia G. Lindner staff, and community to intersect. We ily’s commitment to the Martin Fam- Julian DeShazier Chad H. Martin want the House to be a welcome place ily Scholarship, will pay a dividend of Teresa Dulyea-Parker María Pérez to all, and we think addressing first future leaders and scholars, pastors J. Marshall Dunn James E. Stockdale floor accessibility takes us in the right and professors, that will sustain and W. Clark Gilpin David A. Vargas direction for the next 125 years.” enrich the work of the Church.” Allen V. Harris Clark M. Williamson “Why am I supporting this cam- “I am confident in our ability to Claudia A. Highbaugh Melinda K. Wood paign?” Martin asked and then an- achieve our campaign fundraising Gaylord Yu swered: “I am not an alum or former goal. In fact, I am highly confident we resident. I came to the House through will exceed our goal. But while we may Given the demand for relevant, a connection my father Jerry, a Dis- count the goal this year in dollars and compelling forms of religious and ciples minister who served in Illinois, pledges, the real goal is ensuring that spiritual community, and the urgent had to the House and its students the next 125 years are as fruitful and need for public theological engage- when he chaired the region’s Com- productive as the first 125 years have ment, DDH is enriching its substan- mission on Ministry. And I met Kris been. We are grateful – for what is to tive scholarship program by ensuring when we served on the Administrative come.” funding for new immersive learning Committee of the General Board of opportunities. Students have learned the Christian Church – back when about interfaith cooperation by in- I was a ‘young adult’ member of the terning in a synagogue, honed the arts board. I never stepped foot in the of congregational transformation, col- House until my first Board meeting. lege chaplaincy, and nonprofit social But I was hooked at that first meeting. entrepreneurship alongside skilled You can see why Dean Culp has built practitioners, and experienced inter- an absolutely outstanding board and national travel and study exchange. why she can recruit the most talented “We have seen the benefit to our students of the denomination.” students, our House community and “It is these House Scholars and the wider church that comes from this the impact these Scholars had, have, immersive learning, and we want to and will have on the community and be intentional about securing funds the church that keeps me invested in to enable these internships going for- DDH. I have seen firsthand the im- ward,” Chad Martin explained. pact of our graduates.” Additionally, we want to raise “Now, I am CFO of a software April Lewton, President of the Board of funds to ensure the House is a welcoming company – and I speak MBA not Trustees 4 Celebrating 125 (continued from page 1) dienhaus at the University of Heidel- berg, Germany. Other highlights included wor- ship in the Chapel of the Holy Grail, beautiful weather, a taco truck, Grail- themed temporary tattoos for kids, time to meet old and new friends, and much, much more.