Columbia Theological Seminary Vantage: Alumni Edition, Spring 1977

PLUMNI EDITION

Columbia 5eminary

Vontoq

ALUMNUS NAMED AS

DIRECTOR OF
ADVANCED STUDIES

Dr. James D. Newsome, Jr., the
Pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of Paducah, Kentucky has
been appointed by the Board of
Directors of Columbia Seminary as
Director of Advanced Studies, ef-
fective July 1, 1977. In making the
appointment. President J. Davison
Philips states, "In Jim Newsome, we
have an excellent combination of
commitment and competence as a
minister. His personal growth as a
pastor has involved disciplined study
related to the needs of his parish and
his people. We are fortunate to have
such a well prepared Director of
Advanced Studies to lead us in a new
effort to serve our church's ministers
and churches."

Jim is an alumnus of Columbia
Seminary, the Class of 1955. He has
a Th.M. from Columbia, a Ph.D.
from Vanderbilt, and has done post
graduate work at Oxford University
in England. He comes to Columbia
after having given excellent service in
the pastorate with a long term com-
mitment to continuing education. He

THE ALUMNI LUNCHEON

Some 265 persons, representing graduates of Columbia Seminary going
back to the 1920's, gathered in the Student Center on January 26 for the
Annual Alumni Luncheon. Following a delicious meal. Alumni President Bill
Adams presided over an interesting meeting that included some nostalgia,
some thoughtful reflections on the content of the Alumni Lectures, and a
challenge "for the future. President Philips expressed his sincere appreciation
for the support and prayers of the Alumni.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ELECTS OFFICERS

The Alumni Association of Colum-
bia Seminary elected a new slate of
officers at its Annual Luncheon
Meeting held on January 26. The
following were chosen to serve dur-
ing 1977:

President McCoy Franklin ('64)
Vice Pres. Lawrence Wood ('64)
Sec'y-Treas. Wm. J. Holmes (73)

The new President is Pastor of the
First Presbyterian Church of Auburn,
Alabama. Coy served as one of
the alumni respondents during our
"Three Days in January" activities.

has been the Pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church in Paducah since
1965.

Jim is married to the former
Suzella Burns of Knoxville, Tenn.
The Newsome's have four children,
two dauehters and twin sons.

McCoy Franklin

THREE DAYS IN JANUARY

ADAMS PASSES
MANTLE

Elijah didn't pass his mantle to
Elisha until he had completed certain
tasks. Wm. A. Adams, President of
the Alumni Association during 1976,
did a fine job of organizing the
newly appointed Alumni Council and
setting in motion certain creative
activities before passing the job of
President to Coy Franklin. A special
word of thanks to Bill and those who
served with him Bob Lawrence and
Coy Franklin. The leadership that our
1976-77 officers provided has stim-
ulated the graduates of Columbia
Seminary to give a record $21,150
for use in Scholarship Aid. As the
immediate past President, Bill will
continue to serve on the Executive
Committee of the Alumni Council.

COUNCIL GIVES
DIRECTION

A special word of thanks is offer-
ed to the thirty-three member Alumni
Council that has done so much to
provide direction for the Alumni of
Columbia Seminary. As an out-
growth of the Alumni Council's con-
cern, we now have a representative of
our Alumni on all the key committees
of the Seminary. There is a feeling of
common unity and purpose as we join
hands with committee members from
the faculty, staff and student body.

INAUGURATIONS
A HIGHLIGHT

One of the real highlights of our
"Three Days in January" experience
was the inauguration of two of our
professors. Dr. Theron S. Nease de-
livered an insightful and soul-search-
ing address entitled, "Pastoral Care:
Generativity or Stagnation?" He was
inaugurated as Professor of Pastoral
Care and Counseling. Professor Jap
Keith offered the prayer of installa-
tion. Dr. J. Will Ormond took us on
a captivating journey "From Word
to World and Back Again" in his

Dr. J. Phillips iXoble, pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, Charleston, S. C
representing the Board of Directors, leads
Professor Theron S. Nease in his vow.

inaugural address. He was installed
as the J. McDowell Richards Profes-
sor of Biblical Exposition. The prayer
of installation was offered by Profes-
sor Wade Huie. Dr. J. Phillips Noble,
representing the Board of Directors,
led both professors in their inaugural
vows. Dr. J. Davison Philips gave the
charges to the two newly appointed
professors.

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL

SEMINARY

ALUMNI

GIVING

Year

Number

Amount

1971-72

275

$ 8,397

1972-73

110

3,698

1973-74

106

2,521

1974-75

223

13,045

1975-76

225

14,283

'1976-77

244

21,151

'As of February 15, 1977 with 4Vj months
to go before June 30.

ALUMNI LECTURER
STIMULATES

'Christian Faithfulness in Secular
America" was the subject of the 1977
Alumni Lectures delivered by Dr.
Donald B. Shriver. Jr., President of
Union Theological Seminary, New
York. Much interest was shown by
members of the student body, faculty
and returning Alumni to Dr. Shriver's
pointed and stimulating lectures. He
wrestled with such subjects as "Faith
and Ideology," "Faith and Justice,"
and "Pastor and Prophet." Three of
our graduates Jim Newsome ('64),
Coy Franklin ('64), and Nibs Slroupe
('75) served as respondents to Dr.
Shriver's addresses.

Class of 1962

YE OLD CLASS REUNION

Numbered among the most delight-
ful aspects of our Alumni activities
this year would have to be "Ye Old
Class Reunions." A great deal of
thought and creativity went into the
observance of these reunions of our
past graduating classes. Of the seven
classes that had gatherings, two pro-
duced newsletters that gave a good
update on all the old grads. Old class
pictures were on display. Photographs
were taken of each of the reunion
classes and sent to the returning
Alumni as a gift from the Seminary.
If you were in the Class of 1973,
1968, 1963, 1958, 1953 and on back
mark your calendar now for
February 1, 1978.

A PERSONAL WORD

This Alumni Edition of the Vantage captures some
of the excitement of what God is doing in and through
Columbia Seminary. It is a continuing privilege for me
to visit with our graduates throughout the Church. I am
grateful to find so many who are serving effectively as

t ministers of Jesus Christ.

^ Columbia Seminary exists to serve Jesus Christ, His

Church, and the World. The growing support of our
alumni is a real source of encouragement to us. Your fine response to the
Alumni Questionnaire has provided the faculty and staff with helpful
information.

As alumni and alumnae of the Seminary, one of your greatest concerns
has been the strengthening of our program of continuing education. It gives
us a great deal of pleasure to be able to announce the coming of Jim New-
some as Director of Advanced Studies. Now, we feel, many of your dreams
in this vital area will become a reality. We are ready to create programs
which will meet many needs among ministers today.

The promises of God are quite real in this formidable task here. He
affirms His presence in our undertaking, "Commit your work unto the Lord
and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3).

Faithfully yours,

6%Uy*j

J. Davison Philips

SEMINARY SUNDAY

MARKS 50th

ANNIVERSARY

When the churches of Atlanta
Presbytery observe Columbia Semi-
nary Sunday on April 24, 1977, they
will help celebrate the 50th Anniver-
sary of the Seminary's moving from
Columbia, South Carolina, to its
present location in Decatur, Georgia.
To commemorate this significant
event, Atlanta Presbytery is encour-
aging its churches to invite members
of the staff, faculty and student body
of our 149-year old institution to
have a share in their Worship Services
on April 24. The Seminary is hope-
ful of being represented in over fifty
churches of the Presbytery on this
special day.

Seminary Sunday bulletin inserts
will be provided for all churches that
request them in the supporting Synods
of the Seminary. In addition to visit-
ing the churches of Atlanta Presby-
tery on April 24, members of the staff
and faculty are planning to help ob-
serve Seminary Sunday on May 1 in
churches outside the Atlanta area.

$300,000 GRANT

Columbia Seminary has become the
recipient of a generous grant of
$300,000 from an anonymous Foun-
dation for the purpose of completing
renovations in Campbell Hall and in
the John Bulow Campbell Library.
The grant will provide for extensive
redecorations in the chapel, class-
rooms, seminar rooms and faculty
offices of Campbell Hall. An audio-
visual room, a rare books room and
other renovations will be completed
in the library. Commenting on this
greatly appreciated gift, President J.
Davison Philips states, "This Foun-
dation was established by a devout
Christian businessman and active
layman for the purpose of strengthen-
ing the mission and ministry of the
Church in significant ways. We are
most grateful for this gift to us."

IN-CAREER DOCTOR OF

MINISTRY PROGRAM

EXPANDS

Sixty-one ministers arc now en-
rolled in Columbia Seminars s fa-
Career Doctor of Ministry program.
This continuing education program
provides a flexible framework foi
study that is attractive and useful
to those ministers who desire an ex-
tended developmental plan for learn-
ing while remaining in their parish.
Extension courses may be arranged
between Presbyteries and the Semi-
nary for both degree and non-degree
programs.

The curriculum is designed to help
its participants learn how to cam
on a program of self-education and
lifelong learning. One major aim oi
the program is an integrated under-
standing of ministry from biblical.
historical, theological, social and
personal perspectives. Its operational
goal is to sharpen and develop one's
functional skills in ministry.

Applications are now being re-
ceived for a new class to begin in
October, 1977. For information, you
are invited to write to Dr. Milton
Gardiner, Director, Graduate Profes-
sional Studies, 701 Columbia Duve,
Decatur, Georgia 30031.

EVANGELISM PROJECT

"A Training Project in Evangel-
ism" sponsored by the Division of
National Mission of the PCUS and
Columbia Seminary will be held this
summer at the Seminary. The Rev.
Robert Henderson and the Rev.
Richard A. Dodds will direct the
project. The purpose is to provide a
resource for creative training in the
principles and practice of New Testa-
ment evangelism. The dates are July
6-August 12. The project will run on
two tracks; one for seminary students
seeking academic and field work cre-
dit, the other in four one-week seg-
ments for pastors and laypersons. For
information, write to Richard A.
Dodds, Columbia Theological Semi-
nary, Decatur, Georgia 30031.

1977
SEMINARY SUNDAY

April 24 or May 1

Lr\

PRINCE SPECIALIZING

Harold B. Prince, Professor of
Bibliography and a 1960 alumnus of
Columbia Seminary, has been given
major responsibilities in refining and
developing particular areas of the
John Bulow Campbell Library. Mr.
Prince, who has provided such know-
ledgeable and dedicated leadership
in our library operation since 1951,
is currently placing major emphasis
upon the refinement of the Collec-
tion, the review of the Rare Books
in connection with the renovation of
the library, and the completion of a
long-term project of a Presbyterian
Bibliography. In addition to his faith-
ful service to the library, Mr. Prince
has expressed his loyalty to the
Seminary in a rather unique way. (See
accompanying letter.)

JEWETT LECTURES
FOR S.T.S.

The Society for Theological Schol-
arship is a student society "for the
purpose of encouraging in every stu-
dent the highest possible scholarship
in all departments of instruction."
The Society has invited Dr. Paul K.
Jewett, Professor of Systematic The-
ology at Fuller Theological Seminary,
to be the featured speaker at the 1977
S.T.S. Lectures at Columbia Semi-
nary, March 29 and 30. Professor
Jewett, who has a Ph.D. from Har-
vard University, will speak on the
subject, "Scripture: It's Authority and
Interpretation." The lectures will be
held at 9:40 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on
each of the two days in the Seminary
Chapel. Discussions will follow each
of the lectures.

Dear Fellow Graduates,

A number of years ago I thought I would like to <\o something for
Columbia Seminary so I took out an insurance policy, deeded it to the
Seminary, and began to pay the premiums as part of my support of the
school. I felt good knowing that while I could probably not give Columbia
much money while I was alive, when I died it would be a few thousand
dollars richer.

Remembering Columbia in our wills is important, and 1 hope we will
not fail to do this as much as we can. In time I came to feel that this
was not enough. Our Seminary needs money today to carry on its current
operation; it cannot wait for our legacies.

This school, which we love, has sought to achieve and maintain excel
lence with not-quite-enough-money. During the 26 years I have served as
Librarian, the Seminary has been short of Library funds, short of staff and
short of faculty.

I believe that we alumni and alumnae, who have received so much from
Columbia want the best for it. We want our Seminary to be able to give to
this and succeeding generations of students an even better preparation than
we have known.

So I hope you will respond with your pledge or gift to the Alumni
Scholarship Aid Fund this year. May we be willing to make this a regular
part of our support to the church. Last year our alumni-alumnae parti-
cipation was 15 per cent; 245 gave $14,000 for an average gift of $60.00.
I believe that we can do better. Won't you join me in a worthy response'.*

Sincerely yours,

;2WeiL

Harold B. Prince

DR. RICHARDS HONORED

Dr. J. McDowell Richards, Presi-
dent Emeritus of Columbia Seminary,
was presented the Charles M. Watt.
Jr., Award at a recent Community
Breakfast sponsored by the Christian
Council of Metropolitan Atlanta, Inc.
The featured speaker at the breakfast
was Governor George D. Busbee.
The Award annually goes to that
person who has contributed the most
to the quality of life in Metro Atlan-
ta. Dr. Richards was cited as the
author of the original draft of the
Atlanta Manifesto of 1957 that did
so much to create an atmosphere of
racial, political and religious good-
will in the greater Atlanta area. Hear-
ty congratulations to our fellow alum-
nus. Class of 1928.

J. McDowell Richards

COLUMBIA SEMINARY ALUMNI GIVING

1976-1977 Year
{Gifts received from July 1, 1976 to February 15, 1977)

A REPORT BY CLASSES

CLASS OF 1947

Number

Number

Number

Number

Class

In C/oss

Giving

Amount

Class

In Class

Giving

Amount

Before

1923

26

4

% 75.00

1951

33

7

S 220.00

1923

6

5

250.00

1952

49

5

145.00

1924

7

3

75.00

1953

57

6

200.00

1925

11

2

2000

1954

61

13

760.00

1926

5

1

25.00

1955

36

2

150.00

1927

2

1956

45

5

380.00

1928

13

2

180.00

1957

52

10

655.00

1929

18

7

330.00

1958

53

11

555.00

1930

8

2

150.00

1959

67

4

1,045 00

1931

6

4

203.00

I960

51

5

225.00

1932

7

2

6000

1961

57

5

185 00

1933

13

6

135.00

1962

52

8

695.00

1934

8

1963

51

6

124.00

1935

8

1

10.00

1964

60

7

428.00

1936

15

2

40.00

1965

56

6

260.00

1937

5

1

10.00

1966

70

5

105.00

1938

11

2

125.00

1967

61

5

360.00

1939

11

2

2,001 .00

1968

59

3

135 00

1940

12

6

300.00

1969

42

3

150.00

1941

13

5

27500

1970

39

2

60.00

1942

16

1

100.00

1971

43

3

145.00

1943

17

6

2,660.00

1972

39

6

10500

1944

16

5

1,447.68

1973

37

4

90.00

1945

10

1

30.00

1974

38

8

237.00

1946

15

1

510.00

1975

27

2

225.00

1947

16

6

2,335.00

1976

37

6

260.00

1948

14

4

310.00

non

1949

23

2

140 00

degree

71

8

915.00

1950

30

6

510.00

TOTALS

1705

244 "

$21,150.68

FORMER
PROFESSOR DIES

Dr. Richard T. Gillespie, a 1933
alumnus, who served as Professor of
Homiletics at Columbia Seminary
from 1950-1956, died on January 26,
1977, in Alachua, Florida. He served
as the Pastor of several vital Presby-
terian congregations before and after
his service as a Professor.

Dr. Gillespie was the son of a
former President of Columbia Semi-
nary, Richard T. Gillespie, II. His
father was President when the Semi-
nary moved from Columbia, S. C.
to Decatur, Ga. in 1927.

The Gillespie family continues to
have close ties with the Seminary as
Richard T. Gillespie, IV is a second
year student here. The heartfelt sym-
pathy of the Seminary community
and Alumni is extended to family.

GOOD RESPONSE ON
QUESTIONNAIRES

The Alumni Association of Colum-
bia Seminary is alive and well if the
response to the Alumni Question-
naires is any indication. Some 352
of our graduates took the time to
complete them. 1 he data received
has been helpful in making a de-
cision to combine the Smythe and
Alumni Lectures during the mid-
winter of 1978. In addition to the
joint lectureship, the Seminary will
invite an outstanding preacher to
round out a full schedule of activ-
ities over a three-day period. Class
reunions for classes in multiples of
five years will be held during this
special time. Helpful data in the area
of continuing education was also re-
ceived from the questionnaires. The
dates for the special mid-winter ac-
tivities are January 31 -February 3,
1978.

pilllllllHIll ill I Illlll iiniwiiliil IIIEIIMIIMI HHMHUi WKmum 1 in;"

IN MEMORIAM

The following graduates of Columbia Theological Seminary became
I a part of the Church Triumphant during 1976:

John William Aldridge
Charles Samuel Brown
Grady Eliot Dixon
Davison Hofner Dulin
Woodfin Grady Harry
John Wilber McQueen
Joseph Edward Scruggs
Boyd Baxter Underwood
Edgar Bert Wilkerson

class of
1960
1956
1955
1924
19 17
1933
1953
1938
1935

"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; yea saith the Spirit that
they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them."

Revelation 14:13

.

Vantage.

1977 SUMMER SESSION

Courses designed to inform, stimulate and challenge ministers and lay-
persons will be offered during the 1977 Summer Session at Columbia Seminary.
A brief listing of the courses is as follows:

WEEK I July 18-22

"Signs in the Fourth Gospel" Dr. Ronald Wallace

"Preaching and Pastoral Concerns" Dr. Wade Huic

"Issues of Theology and Culture for Today" Dr. Harrison Taylor

WEEK II July 25-29

"The Book of Revelation" Dr. Ronald Wallace

"The Minister as Person in Preaching" Dr. Hubert Taylor

WEEK III August 1-5

"The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit" Dr. Shirley Guthrie
"Planning Advent Preaching" Dr. J. Davison Philips
"The Pastor as Educator" Dr. Oscar Hussel

WEEK IV August 8-12

"A Theology of Missions and Evangelism" Dr. Shirley Guthrie
"Preaching with the Sacraments" Dr. Catherine Gonzalez
"The Pastor as Administrator" Dr. Oscar Hussel

For more detailed information concerning course descriptions, academic
credit, fees and lodging, please write: Dr. Oscar Hussel, Columbia Theological
Seminary, Decatur, Georgia 30031.

Come See Columbia Day April 2 1

The Columbia Friendship Circle will hold its annual "Come See Columbia
Day" on Thursday, April 21. Included in the special activities of the day
will be a worship service, beginning at 10:00 a.m., a convocation, a buffet
luncheon, special group meetings and a tour of the Seminary campus. All
friends of the Seminary are invited to attend.

Each year C.F.C. designates its gifts toward special projects. During the
twenty-eight years of its existence, the Columbia Friendship Circle has con-
tributed an amount of $281,784 to a variety of projects which have been used
to strengthen the Seminary. The project this year is Scholarship Aid with a
goal of $25,000.

ALUMNI COUNCIL

TO SPONSOR

PHONE-A-THON

1 he Alumni Council, at us annual
meeting on January 25. noted the
dramatic increase in the financial
contributions of the Alumni lo the
Scminar\. 1 hey also noted that the
gifts of our graduates were coming
primarily from I5'V of our Alumni.
In an effort to gain a greater degree
of participation, the Council voted to
engage in a PHONE-A-THON during
the Spring o\ 1977. The basic plan is
to organize our Alumni by Presln -
tcrics and to have one of our Alumni/
Alumnae call their fellow graduates
to enlist their support of our current
project of Scholarship Aid. The
Council would like to sec the number
oi Alumni participating increase
from 244 to 500. If we have this kind
of response we can go over the
$30,000 mark b\ the end of the fiscal
year, June 30, J977.

1977
SEMINARY SUNDAY

April 24 or May 1

COLUMBIA THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, DECATUR. GEORGIA 30031
Alumni Edition Spring, 1977
Richard A. Dodds, Editor

Columbia

Theological

6eminary

Vontoqe-J

Second (lass
Postage
Paid at

Decatur, Ga.