Release date: July 14, 2003
Contact: Nancy Seideman, Director, University Media Relations,
at 404-727-0640 or nseidem@emory.edu

Emory Appoints Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster to the University Board of Trustees

Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster, senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Tupelo, Miss., was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Emory University, effective June 5, 2003.

Goodpaster, whose term lasts until 2006, is one of 30 members of the Board of Trustees designated as a term trustee. Including the nine alumni trustees, there are a total of 39 board members who can serve on the board at one time. At this time, all term trustee positions are filled and two of the nine alumni positions are vacant.

Ordained as a deacon of the former North Mississippi Conference in 1971, Goodpaster has served as pastor in Vaiden, Indianola and Como, Miss. He also has served as associate pastor at First United Methodist church in Clarksdale and senior pastor at Oxford-University United Methodist Church in Oxford and Central United Methodist Church in Meridian.

In 1992, Goodpaster published a book of Pentecost sermons entitled "Like a Breath of Fresh Air." He graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Millsaps College in 1970, and received his master of divinity and doctorate in ministry from Emory's Candler School of Theology in 1973 and 1982, respectively.

Goodpaster currently serves on the board of trustees and board of directors for Methodist Healthcare, Inc., in Memphis, Tenn., where he has served as chairman and secretary, respectively, since 1997. He serves on the executive committee and board of trustees for Millsaps College, as well as serving as chairman for the Mississippi Conference Structure Study Task Force.

Goodpaster, 55, is married to Deborah Goodpaster. They have two children.

Back