Alumni Spotlight: Doug and Cathy Johns When Doug and Cathy heard about the Master Scholar program to sponsor a full-ride education for a master’s student at United, it was a natural fit.
While modalities and methods may change, United remains committed to preparing faithful and fruitful Christian leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ for generations to come!
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During her time at United, Cathy enjoyed the seminary’s practical education that focused on giving pastors realworld experience through field education. She especially appreciated the teachings of Dr. Kathy Farmer and Dr. Ty Inbody. At the end of Dr. Inbody’s systematic theology course, Cathy’s ordination papers were written.
Doug and Cathy have loved seeing the education at United through the eyes of Sadell Bradley, their Hyde Park Master Scholar. While some things have changed at the seminary since their time, they appreciate the continued focus on a practical education and United’s commitment to exposing students to a variety of theological perspectives in an atmosphere of respect.
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Rev. Doug ’86 and Rev. Dr. Cathy ’84 Johns serve as co-pastors of Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church, but they first met and fell in love as seminary students at United. Both were deeply impacted by their education at United. For Doug, it was United’s curriculum that he appreciated most. He was particularly shaped by the teachings of Dr. Kendall McCabe in his worship and sacramental theology course and Dr. John Wagner in his theology of administration as ministry class.
“Investing in the education of young adults has always been a core value of Hyde Park,” Doug explains. “When we heard about the Master Scholar program, it resonated with my heart, and we felt it would resonate with the heart of the Hyde Park leadership.”
New Scholarships United is pleased to be able to offer more scholarships to support the men and women God is calling into ministry! The seminary was recently awarded a $1 million grant for scholarships above and beyond what it currently offers. The grant was an unexpected gift from an anonymous donor who heard what God was doing at United and wanted to participate by supporting student scholarships for the next three years. With the proceeds, United has created the Academic Dean’s Scholarship, which covers 50% of tuition for new full-time master’s students with a 3.0+ GPA. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis at www.united.edu/academic-deans-scholarship.
With the mortgage paid off, United is also able to invest more from the budget into scholarships. As a result, the seminary has introduced the President’s Scholarship. This is a three-year scholarship of $5,000 per year to support new full-time master’s students, and $3,000 per year for new fulltime doctoral students. Interested students may apply at www.united.edu/presidential-scholarship. United wants to make quality education affordable and accessible to prepare faithful and fruitful Christian leaders to make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you know someone called to ministry, now is a great time to apply!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
