Delegates elect University Senate members, church trustees

By Linda Green*

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)—Delegates to the top legislative assembly of The United Methodist Church elected four people to the organization that determines the relationship of academic and theological institutions to the denomination.

They elected two chief executive officers of United Methodist-related educational institutions and two who hold positions relevant to academic or financial affairs to the University Senate.

The University Senate, established in 1882, is one of the oldest accrediting bodies in the country. Its mission was to ensure that schools, colleges and universities related to the church were worthy of carrying the denomination’s name. In recent years, regional bodies have accredited academic institutions, and the senate has focused more on how institutions are related to The United Methodist Church.

The 25-member body of professionals in higher education has responsibility for supporting the development of institutions whose aims are to address significant educational, cultural, societal and human issues in a manner reflecting the values held in common by the institutions and The United Methodist Church.

Elected to a four-year term were:
·Maxine Clark Beach, vice president and dean of Drew Theological School, Madison, N.J.
· David L. Beckley, president of Rust College, Holly Springs, Miss.
· Charlene Black, retired university president and academic vice president at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, Ga.
· The Rev. Maxie Dunnam, former president of Asbury Seminary, Wilmore, Ky.

The senators are from five electing bodies, including the National Association of Schools and Colleges and Universities of the denomination, United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, General Conference, Council of Bishops and the University Senate.

John Street Church trustees

Delegates also elected eight people to serve on the board of trustees for historic John Street United Methodist Church, New York, the oldest continuous United Methodist church in the United States. The church is being restored to coincide with the 250th anniversary of America's oldest Methodist Society in 2016.

Elected to serve for the 2009-2012 period are Jay Cardwell, James Hohenstein, Robert Holmes, Rebecca Hunt, James Kibler, New York Area Bishop Jeremiah Park, Ray Rogers and Alan Stapler.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.