SUMMER 1981 Columbia 5eminory Vantaq LIFELONG LEARNING BEGINS FOR 1981 GRADUATES Amid the threat of torrential rains and a severe weather watch, forty- eight graduates received their de- grees from Chairman of the Board, Dr. J. Philips Noble, in the 151st Commencement Exercises of Colum- bia Theological Seminary. Dr. J. Davison Philips, President, presented all the candidates for their degrees and read the charge to the graduates at the conclusion of the ceremonies. Earlier in the day, Baccalaureate Services were held at North Avenue Presbyterian Church, Atlanta. The guest preacher for the service was the Rev. O. Halvard Lyon, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Toccoa, Georgia, and an alumnus of Colum- bia. His sermon was entitled "Aha! That's Who You Are!" In addition. Professor James Gailey was an in- vited participant in the service in recognition of his retirement after 28 years of distinguished service to Columbia Seminary. The Commencement address was delivered by Dr. James H. Daugh- drill, Jr., President of Southwestern at Memphis, and centered on "Ele- ments of Lifelong Learning." Dr. Daughdrill is also a graduate of Co- lumbia Seminary. Three women students were awarded their degrees "With Distinc- tion" due to outstanding academic achievement. They were Janet Bris- coe Aldridge, Mary Jane Kerr Cor- nell, and Marilyn Roberts Washburn. A Distinguished Grads Honored During the 1981 Commencement Exercises at Columbia, three seniors and one professor shared in receiv- ing seven awards. Presented by Dr. Oscar Hussel, Dean of Academic Af- fairs, Mary Jane Cornell, Decatur, GA, was honored with four awards: The Wilds Book Prize, The Florrie Wilkes Sanders Prize in Theology, The Presbytery of St. Andrew Wo- men of the Church Preaching Award, and an Alumni/ae Fellowship; Janet B. Aldridge, Blackshear, GA, re- ceived the Fanny Jordan Bryant Fel- lowship Award; and, J. Arthur Wood, Rockville, MD, received an Alumni/ae Fellowship Award. This year the Lyman and Myki Mobley Prize in Biblical Scholarship L to R Janet B. Aldridge, J. Arthur Wood, Mary Jane Kerr Cornell. was presented to Professor Keith F. Nickle for his recent publication The Synoptic Gospels. In addition to these awards, other prizes will be given to returning students at the Fall Honors Day program in Oc- tober. PROGRESS REPORT Many exciting things have been hap- pening in the COMMITMENT TO I \( I I I I \( 1 CAMPAIGN in the Synod o! the Southeast. As of June 1. 1981, .in amount of S2.019.702 has been pledged to the Campaign by 147 churches, along with certain individu- als and foundations. Major commitments include a pledge ol $500,000 from the PEACHTREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of At- lanta to establish a Chair of Evange- lism and Church Growth. This commit- ment, to be paid over a period of eight years, is serving as a pace-setter for Atlanta Presbytery and the other twelve presbyteries in the Synod. Another ma- jor commitment is a gift of $150,000 by the ANN AND THOMAS COUS- INS FOUNDATION to provide schol- arship funds for deserving students. We are grateful for the partnership that exists between Columbia Seminary and the smaller churches in the Synod. The ADEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Adel, GA, with 15 mem- bers, made a pledge of $450. The JEF- FERSON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Jefferson, GA, with 76 members, made a gift of $6,000 to the Campaign. President Philips states, "It is indeed gratifying to see the fine response being made to the Commitment to Excellence Campaign throughout the Synod of the Southeast. The commitments made are a significant investment in the lives of the future leaders of the Church." EXPANSION FUND APPROACHES FIVE MILLION The Board of Directors made an extensive study of the projected needs of Columbia Seminary in 1974-75. It discovered that, although the Seminary was blessed with a lovely campus and physical plant, it would have to add appreci- able amounts to its endowment if it would continue its commitment to ex- cellence in the preparation of ministers of the Gospel. The Board adopted a plan in November, 1975, to raise an amount of $7,500,000 in capital funds during the decade, 1976-1985. The projected goal was to be allocated as follows: Physical Plant and Facilities $1,500,000 Endowment Fund 6,000,000 Total $7,500,000 Thanks to campaign funds from the supporting synods, special funds, gifts to endowment and some generous wills and bequests, the goal set for the Ex- pansion Fund by the Board is within reach. Here is a summary of all gifts to the Expansion Fund from January 1, 1976, to April 30, 1981, along with additional pledge commitments: A. GIFTS RECEIVED Richards Fund Alabama Campaign Mississippi Campaign Mid-South Campaign Florida Campaign Southeast Campaign Organ Fund Expansion Fund (including bequests) Designated Endowment (incl. bequests) Undesignated Endowment B. PLEDGE COMMITMENTS TO BE PAID Mid-South Campaign Florida Campaign Southeast Campaign C. ANTICIPATED PLEDGE COMMITMENTS Florida Campaign Southeast Campaign TOTAL EXPANSION FUND BY 1985 $ 32,534 13,531 20,410 416,833 281,555 212,223 39,318 588,522 2,782,063 284,953 $ 4,671,942 $ 150,000 1,000,000 1,800,000 $ 2,950,000 $ 150,000 2,800,000 $ 2,950,000 $10,571,942 Columbia Theological Seminary, 701 Columbia Drive, Decatur, Ga. 30031. Vantage. Vol 73. No. 2. Daniel A. Wail, Editor. Published Quarterly. Second Class Postage Paid at Decatur. Ga., Publication No. 124160. FROM the PRE6IDENT ^^L^S^ charged, are moving into ministry and into the future with the prayers and congratulations of the Seminary. And, we look to the future! In addition to planning for the Summer Sessions beginning in July, in implementing a budget, in as- signed courses and classrooms, in maintaining our plant, in moving in new students, and all the major tasks of every year, there is something more. The Board of Directors has au- thorized the appointment of a long range planning committee called the Toward Two Thousand Committee. Chairman Noble has asked Dr. James V. Johnson, Pastor of the First Pres- byterian Church of Columbus, GA, to chair this 14 member group. The assignment is of major significance: plan the life and mission of Colum- bia Seminary for the next two dec- ades, as clearly and responsibly as possible. This will take us to the year Two Thousand in broad per- spectives. Equally important is the Curricu- lum Revision Committee appointed by the Faculty at our post-graduation meeting, June 1. It will contribute much in the way of recommendations for the strengthening of our curricu- lum and faculty as we move into the future also. In all this we seek God's clear guidance, and pray that there may be resources of people, money, and wis- dom to do significant work in His mission. May I thank you for all you mean in the calling of candidates for ministry, supporting us with your gifts and prayers, and making all these good things possible. Faithfully yours, 'UZUAJ*^ Olt*