by Sandra Blumanhourst, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore Campus, Alumni Office
The Alumni Association Council is made up of strong leaders who offer vision and guidance. Steve Wood serves as the President and Carolyn Moore serves as the Vice President. Both, also, serve as Chairs for the Large United Methodist Church Affinity Group and the Medium UMC Affinity Group (respectively). The Alumni Council meets together twice a year to find out what is happening at Asbury Seminary. They work in conjunction with the alumni office to help discover how alumni can best serve the Seminary.
The Alumni Council members serve as liaisons between Asbury and our alumni. Members are nominated each year to serve a three-year term (occasionally a four-year) term. The Council is made up of 31 members who serve on different Affinity Groups. Affinity Groups represent the more than 10,000 alumni who serve around the world.
We aim to be diversified with representatives from different denominations, continents, and the various degree programs Asbury offers. Asbury has six different affinity groups which are represented on the Alumni Council: Comprehensive, Florida Dunnam, International, Large UMC, Medium UMC, and Outside the Walls. Pastors who serve in denominations other than United Methodist make up the Comprehensive Affinity Group. Graduates of the Florida Dunnam campus serve on the Florida Dunnam Affinity Group. The International Affinity group is made up of alumni who are from countries outside the United States. The Large UMC group consists of lead pastors of larger United Methodist Churches that have multiple staff members. The Medium UMC group is for lead pastors in a United Methodist Church with minimal or no staff who often rely on lay leadership in their church. Graduates who hold occupations other than being a pastor serve on the Outside the Walls Affinity Group.