University Communications
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: Aug. 16, 1999
Contact: Elaine Justice, Assistant Director, 404-727-0643, or ejustic@emory.edu

CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY GRADUATES 44 FROM UNITED METHODIST COURSE OF STUDY SCHOOL

Forty-four students in the Emory Course of Study School graduated Aug. 5 at Candler School of Theology after at least five summer sessions of ministerial studies.

The graduation took place in Cannon Chapel on the Emory University campus in Atlanta. It featured awarding of certificates and a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Robert H. Kohler, the national administrator of the Course of Study for the United Methodist Church. Kohler, who is officially director of board of ordained ministry relations in the denomination's General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, preached about God's promise to be a shepherd to the people.

Course of Study School is a nationwide program of the United Methodist Church operated in association with its related theological schools. The students are licensed local pastors.

The Emory Course of Study School is conducted by the theology school's Office of Church Ministries Education, whose director is the Rev. Beth Luton Cook. The school offers two two-week sessions each summer, and students normally take four courses per year for five years to receive the basic certificate. For the advanced certificate, dedicated students typically add four years on the same calendar.

The Candler office also works with Course of Study schools on various calendars, often weekend classes, in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee/Holston and Appalachia.

The 1999 graduates of the Emory Course of Study School are below, listed alphabetically by annual conference. Of the 44 graduates, 38 finished the basic five-year course and six (as indicated) finished advanced studies.

Emory Course of Study School

Conducted by Candler School of Theology, Emory University

Alphabetical by United Methodist annual conference

38 in basic program

6 in advanced program

44 total

Alabama-West Florida (2)
Nancy Snyder
Prentiss Taylor

Detroit (2)
Ray McGee
Ronald Piette

East Ohio (1)
William Hibbs

Florida (7)
James Amason
Fatha DeSue
John Ekers
Richard Kaleida
Sarai Maiselle
Barbara Odom
Ralph Wrightstone

Holston (3)
Reece Fausett
John Smith (advanced)
Cynthia Thompson

Kentucky (2)
David Meadows
Dennis Parrigin

Louisiana (1)
Wanda Cosentino

Memphis (1)
Vida McClure

Mississippi (3)
Robert Ansell
Van Moore
Alan Randall

North Alabama (7)
James Aaron
Robert Bostick
Michael Carpenter
Robert Hurst
Walter Jury
David Socha
Richard Talley (advanced)

North Georgia (2)
Michael Johns
Lenton Snow Sr.

South Carolina (3)
William Bowser Jr. (advanced)
Alfonso Porter
Alfred Wright (advanced)

South Georgia (6)
David Barton
Martin Loyley
H.L. Pharr
Beaufort Roberts (advanced)
Beau Taylor
Norma Jean Thomas

Tennessee (2)
Philip Eubanks (advanced)
Perry Whitaker

Texas (1)
James Butler

West Virginia (1)
Phillip Hickman

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