Spring 2012 | Volume 57 | No. 2 CHIMES 18-PAGE San Francisco Theological Seminary COMMEMORATIVE SPECIAL EDITION featuring Inauguration Address, event highlights & photos Faith & Public Life ALSO INSIDE Student Life 22 | Faculty News 27 | Alumni News 32 Spring 2012 | Volume 57 | No. 2 EOL FROM THE PRESIDENT H OG T I O C C A L S L I T U S C E X E C M N I A U N I N R L F A T S R CHIMESSan Francisco Theological Seminary I N E Y A N R S E B SAN ANSELMO Dear Friends, Southern California campus, which was a vibrant part of Chimes is a biannual publication of SFTS’s mission for more than two decades. The closing of San Francisco Theological Seminary INSIDE My inauguration last February was an “expe- (105 Seminary Road, San Anselmo, Faculty members at thethe core southern campus for financial reasons in February 2011 California, 94960, 415.451.2800), rience of a lifetime,” which I will never forget. was a heartrending end to a magnificent, spirited adventure a nonprofit corporation conducting Something profound happened in that moment, a theological seminary solely consecrated 02 Administrative Cabinet Report of educating future Churchin theological leaders education. to educating suitable persons for the not just to me but to all of us. Fresh ideas were offices and work of Christian service. 03 entertained, new conversations were begun and The SFTS Southern California campus was born in Chimes is distributed without charge to alumni/ae, pastors, friends, and deep commitments were strengthened or born 1990 at the request of churches across Southern California constituents of the Presbyterian Church anew. All in all, we opened ourselves to the fu- to serve those who live and minister there. Like its north- (U.S.A.). Total circulation is 4,500. 03 2012 Distinguished Alumni ture, a future to which God is calling us. I am ern cousin, the southern campus was both Reformed and SFTS does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, color, physical grateful and proud to be a part of SFTS, and ex- ecumenical. Both campuses embraced diversity in its many disability, or national and ethnic origin cited about the possibilities that lie ahead. manifestations, but the southern campus fostered an ethos in its educational programs, student 04 of inclusion that capitalized on Southern California’s amaz- activities, employment, admission 04 Inauguration Commemorative policies, in the administration of its And now it is May, and the end of the school year is ing mix of cultures, races, ethnicities and socioeconomic scholarship and loan programs, or upon us. We will confer degrees upon new graduates. Grad- backgrounds in an impressive way. in any other school-administered programs. This policy complies with the uations are always moments of celebration. Family and requirements of the Internal Revenue friends gather to bask in the glow of accomplishment and There were differences, too. From the beginning the Service Procedure 321-1, Title VI of the 22 Student Life pride, beaming from the faces of those who are ready to ven- southern campus was intentionally a commuter school that Civil Rights Act and Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments as amended ture forth in ministry, teaching and service. O happy day! catered to those living in the region. It focused on those and enforced by the Department of 22 who were in second careers, on recent immigrants, and on Health, Education and Welfare. Graduates know that what they have learned during those already working, offering night and weekend courses. 27 Faculty News their course of study cannot be easily summarized or even Its educational model stressed innovation, cross-cultural in- put into words. Their education is, in one sense, greater teraction, and mutual learning appropriate to the salad mix than the sum of all their experiences inside the classroom of cultures, background and experience that came together and out. It is a refining fire of inquiry, wonder, challenge, in the classroom. There is much to admire, and much to 32 32 Alumni News surprise, discovery and opportunity, which molded them – emulate, in what transpired there. heart, soul, mind and strength – into someone different and better than they were when it all began. It was a mixture of The Southern California campus will always be a part of discipline and grace, hard work and serendipity, intention SFTS’s history. Its graduates are spread across the world in Administration: Board of Trustees: ministries of teaching, justice, preaching and service. Those and circumstance. President - James L. McDonald Chair - Peter J. van Bever Paul S. Kim who will graduate from SFTS’s Southern California campus Academic Dean - Elizabeth Liebert First Vice Chair - Marion J. Stanton Karen L. Kohne They know, despite too little sleep, too much worry, and have been through the refiner’s fire, endured and emerged VP Finance - Barbara Brenner Buder Second Vice Chair -Martha Longbrake Timothy C. Lanham, M.Div. ’88 moments of doubt and disappointment, that their educa- on the other side. Now they are ready to join their sisters VP Communications - Kay Carney Third Vice Chair - James A. Cochran Jackie L Leonard, M.Div. ’88 tion at SFTS was worth it. Formal education, whatever its and brothers in the faith, wherever they received their for- VP Development - Cecilia Tonsing Secretary - Earldean V. S. Robbins William N. Parham, Jr. Associate VP Development - Lynn Dunn Treasurer - Paul S. Nazarian, M.Div. ’84 Hugh J. Ralston limitations and eccentricities, is a powerful experience of mal education, and proclaim the good news of the Gospel. Associate Dean/Registrar - Polly Coote John J. Reynolds personal formation and intellectual growth. And the pre- Hallelujah! Associate Dean/Chaplain - Scott Clark Adlai J. Amor Stephen J. Rhoades cious byproducts of such an experience are the deep friend- Browne Barr Juan Sarmiento, MATS ’01 ships and sense of community forged with others who have We wish all our SFTS graduates, north and south, joy Editor-in-Chief: Kay Carney Rosario de Lugo Batlle Bill Saul and Godspeed! Managing Editor: Holly Woolard Jerilynn I. Blackstone Wanda L. Sawyers shared in the humbling, shaping and empowering dynamic James A. Cochran Eric J. Snyder, M.Div./MA ’74; D.Min. ’79 Art Direction: Dennis Bolt of theological education. It is a powerful bond that often Gary W. Demarest Scott W. Syme lasts a lifetime. Grace and peace, Writers: Kay Carney, Lynn Dunn, Tom DeMund Candice L. Unruh James L. McDonald, Christopher L. Janet W. Doak Peter Whitelock This year we will have two graduation ceremonies for Schilling, Lucas Walker, Holly Woolard Wayne Hoffman Joanne Whitt, M.Div. ’97; D.Min. ’07 R. John Harris, M.Div. ’71- Alumni/ae Rep. Steven E. Wirth, D.Min. ’94 Photos: Jeff Ferguson, Vaughn Filmore SFTS graduates – one in San Anselmo, the other in Pasa- Bernard W. Hindman Joseph Woollett Larry Pickard, Richard Wheeler. dena. There is some sadness in this, because this is the last Rev. Dr. James L. McDonald John W. Hokenstad Special thanks to the Marin Independent President and Professor of Faith and Public Life James P. Johnson Life Trustee - James P. Johnson graduation ceremony for those who have been part of the Journal for Alumni News head shots. Carney, Tonsing fill key roles on administrative cabinet an Francisco Theological Semi- dence Hospital, she was the Chair of nary President Jim McDonald all Fund Development Chief Officers is pleased to announce that Kay for 20 West Coast hospitals. For the SCarney has been named as Vice Presi- past four years, she also has served dent of Communications and Cecilia as a Trustee of Saybrook University, 2012 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI Tonsing has been named as Vice Presi- successfully chairing the presidential dent of Development. McDonald, the search committee. 11th president in SFTS history, has Tonsing also received three suc- Rev. Dr. Joseph Kang Carney Tonsing Rev. Dr. ChangBok Chung been working hard to round out his cessive gubernatorial appointments administrative cabinet since taking and served as the Chair of California’s Doctor of the Science of Theology Doctor of the Science of Theology staff and students at SFTS is indeed an over in July 2011. Historic Preservation Commission. honor,” Carney said. “For me, there is Class of 1978 Class of 1981 The addition of Carney and Tons- On her “watch,” California funded, no better opportunity than to join an ing brings vital educational, nonprofit designed and completed a new state ar- organization whose strong desire is to ev. Dr. Joseph Kang’s passion for theology and and institutional experience to SFTS. chive building in Sacramento, drawing ev. Dr. ChangBok Chung came to the United make a difference in the community biblical scholarship has taken him around the Carney was McDonald’s first key rave reviews for aesthetic appeal and States to further his theological studies. He re- and world.” world from Korea to the United States to Malawi hire, joining the Seminary staff in functionality. turned to Korea and emerged as a well-respected A resident of Oakland, Calif., Car- Rin southeast Africa and even Russia. Rteacher and seminary president who helped build a bridge November 2011 just in time to serve Tonsing earned a Bachelor of Arts ney earned a Bachelor of Arts from In 1990, nine years after earning a doctorate from San on the 2012 Presidential Inauguration degree from Holy Names University of understanding throughout the Pacific Rim. University of California, Berkeley, Francisco Theological Seminary, Kang was invited by the Committee. She previously worked as in Oakland, received a Master’s degree “His contribution to the churches in Korea by educat- Master of Public Administration from Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Board of World Missions to Vice President of Communications at in Public Administration from Cali- ing seminary students to be faithful preachers is widely California State University East Bay serve as a missionary professor at Zomba Theological Col- The Bay Institute/Aquarium of the Bay fornia State University East Bay, and recognized,” said Dr.