Alumni News from Itc
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J 5 JL ALUMNI NEWS FROM ITC Summer 1993 “EXCELLING AGAINST THE ODDS” NEWS AND NOTES by Reta L. Bigham FROM OIA ITC has been very fortunate over the years to at¬ tract significant funding from a variety of founda¬ The number of the Council of Ministries in the West Ohio Con¬ tions. Currently, several very successful programs female seminarians ference. From 1986 to 1990 she pastored the Dixon are funded totally or in part by grants. These include enrolled in ITC United Methodist Church in Dayton, OH. Black Women in Church and Society, the Institute continues to in¬ of Church Administration and An Management, and the crease (at accomplishment of which Jeannette takes great present, Extension Education Program. In fact, ITC is in the 135 or 35%) each pride occurred while she was pastor of Dixon. One of her dreams was to top two or three theological centers in the country academic year. provide a comprehensive youth in foundation dollars per Even program that would “refocus and redirect youth ac¬ student. That’s the good though the news! field of religion and tivities and attitudes so the youth can develop better self-esteem and abstain from harmful activities.” The theology is one in Foundation grants do not provide funding for which females are church-sponsored Youth Life Center focuses on con¬ necessities such as faculty salaries, heating/air con¬ in the temporary issues and career development, provides minority in ditioning, lights, water, maintenance or all those sports activities, and sponsors monthly trips to leadership roles, other support events. an things that the educational mission of this is not a deter¬ cultural In interview when the Center ITC. Such monies must come from two basic rent for those who have received their “call” and opened, Jeannette said, “I know what we do in our sources: United Negro College Fund and individuals, those who desire to academically prepare themselves. program will not change the world, but we need to church or other group donors who support the An¬ One such be faithful in trying to change it.” person is a 1979 graduate of ITC who set nual Fund Drive for unrestricted gifts. her goals, excelled in her studies, persevered in ser¬ The church-related activities in which Jeannette has vice to God and the United Methodist Church, and Each year at Commencement, President Costen involved herself speak to the seriousness with which became a first in the conference in which she serves. gives graduates $1 asking that it be multiplied and she takes her profession. Among these activities are We highlight in this issue of The Lantern, returned to ITC in support of the Annual Fund Drive. Vice President, General Board of Higher Education J. Jeannette Cooper, the first Black woman District In the excitement and enthusiasm of graduation, there and Ministries; Chairperson, Division of Chaplain¬ Superintendent in the West Ohio Conference of the is great accord and commitment to his challenge. United Methodist Church. cy and Related Ministries; Chairperson, Conference Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry; In the coming weeks all alumni and other friends Jeannette’s Board Member, National Black Methodists for parents gave her a strong Christian and will have the opportunity to respond. All individual Church Renewal; Chairperson, West Ohio Black positive developmental background. She is a native constituents of ITC will be getting a letter from Presi¬ of Mullins, SC. Now Methodists for Church Renewal; Commission residing in Greenville, SC, her dent Costen seeking unrestricted contributions to help father is a retired United Methodist minister, and her Member, General Commission of Religion and Race; provide the seemingly mundane things that keep an mother is a retired and Chairperson, North Central Jurisdiction Coun¬ public school educator. Jeannette institution viable as it provides significant educational heeded her cil on Ministries. parents’ advice and enrolled in Clark Col¬ opportunties for its students. lege where she received the Bachelor of Arts degree. Her She did further study at Furman University and outstanding intellect and dedicated service Please respond! Please respond generously to the have been recognized numerous Georgia State University, and is presently a doctoral through honors and president’s appeal. In addition to UNCF funds, ITC awards: “Distinguished Alumna Award” (Gammon candidate at United Seminary (Dayton, OH). will need just over $200,000 in unrestricted gifts to Theological Seminary); Woman of the Year (Dayton meet the current budget. Plan now to be a part of Her ITC experience “was one of growth and Metropolitan Civic Women); one of the “Ten Top the success of this important effort. change in many ways. It prepared me to live through Women - Dayton Section” (National Council of times which are not quite prepared to accept female Negro Women); Community Service Award (117th And don’t forget that there are other ways to pro¬ leadership as credible.” She attributes to ITC her General Assembly of the Ohio House of Represen¬ vide financial support of ITC. These include bequests ability “to buckle down and make sure that I was tatives); Outstanding Woman of the Year (Zeta Phi in wills, contributions of paid-up life insurance Beta prepared for the long journey .. .” Several per¬ Sorority); Crusade Scholar (Board of Global policies, and gifts of stocks or other securities, just sons who are presently at ITC are “lifelong friends. Ministries); Willis J. King Academic Award for to name a few avenues of support. For information There are times still that we serve as confidants, Highest United Methodist Graduate Status, J.H. on these and other opportunities to assist ITC, please counselors, and prayer partners for each other.” Clark Academic Preaching Award, and Bishop contact the Office of Institutional Advancement. Charles F. Golden Merit-Social Vision Award (Gam¬ The appointment as District Superintendent in mon Theological Seminary). February 1990 was preceded by diverse ministerial experience. While matriculating at ITC, Jeannette Having “excelled against the odds,” we con¬ mam served as acting campus minister at Spelman Col¬ gratulate Alumna J. Jeannette Cooper for the ac¬ lege and associate pastor of Ben Hill United complishments and successful endeavors she has Interdenominational Methodist Church. made and continues to make as Upon completion of the M.Div. God’s dedicated Theological Center degree she served as associate executive director of servant. The Lantern From The Pen AUTOMATED INFORMATION A Word From . of Our SYSTEM DEVELOPED AND THE PRESIDENT NATIONAL ALUMNI INSTALLED IN PRESIDENT ROBERT W. WOODRUFF Did you know that . LIBRARY . there are over 2000 ITC alumni/ae? Dear Fellow Alumni: . hardly a day goes by that we don’t hear about The Robert W. Woodruff Library (RWWL) is develop¬ Again it is my pleasure to communicate with you some significant achievement of our alumni/ae? ing a three-phase automated information system to serve now you through this medium, The Lantern. I hope by the information needs of faculties, students, staff, ad¬ ... increasing numbers of ITC alumni/ae are in have been able to recognize the fact that the Alumni ministrators, and alumni of the Atlanta University Center key ministerial positions in churches Association has been making a conscious effort to show (AUC). Library Director Charles D. Churchwell stated throughout Africa? our alumni that there is a sincere desire to keep you in¬ in a centerwide memo, “the library’s automated infor¬ formed about news of interest as it relates to us, and to .. ITC is the only Black seminary offering a mation system has already greatly improved access to show you that we care about the achievements that you degree in church music, and one of a very few teaching and research materials.” seminaries of any description with this are making in service to the Master. Phase program? I am excited! Our coordinator, Ms. Paulette Isaac, is One, which has been completed, involved ac¬ tivating the automated circulation and on-line catalog . ITC is accredited by the Association of busy setting up local chapters across the country. I.T.C. modules of the system for use within and throughout the Theological Schools and the Southern has had a tremendous effect across this nation. Our library. Phase Two involves expanding the system so that Association of Colleges and Schools? graduates are everywhere. The more local chapters that patrons can access are set up and functioning, the more successful we can library the catalog and circulation . .. ITC has a faculty of 22 full-time and 22 part- modules from on cam¬ be in being an effective voice in the continuation of our designated locations the various time persons? great school, I.T.C. If you are in an area and you know puses of the AUC. This will require the use of terminals or . there are currently five women professors on some of our graduates who are willing to work toward personal computers available for use on the campuses our and connected to the library’s system. Phase faculty, and at least one additional female a strong local chapter, please get in touch with Ms. Isaac. Three in¬ volves will join the faculty next year? She will be happy to hear from you. expanding access to the system from any location by use of a modem, telephone and a personal computer. four books have been published by our faculty As you a our know, perennial problem that plagues in¬ This will enable patrons to access the system from their members within the past two months (Melva stitution is finance, especially unrestricted funds. One of offices, homes, or dormitories. Costen, Riggins Earl, Mark Ellingsen and our goals is to donate $10,000 to our alma mater this year. H. Wayne Merritt)? It can be done.