by Sandra Blumanhourst, Asbury Theological Seminary, Alumni Office
Have you ever wondered what Asbury Theological Seminary’s Alumni Council does? The Alumni Council serves as the centralized governing group of Asbury Alumni. They bring collective wisdom, address any policies or issues that need attention, and serve as liasons between Asbury and our over 10,000 alumni across the world. Here are just a few of the areas where the Alumni Council serve.
Alumni Council Meetings
During the Alumni Council meetings they are given the opportunity to meet and talk with current students. This is done through several avenues and venues. They have met with students during lunch in the cafeteria or at a local restaurant for a meal. Council members have shared their experiences in ministry in the classrooms. Alumni Council members serve as Scripture readers, preachers and communion stewards in chapel services while they are on campus as well as the holimist at daily Eucharist.
During the meetings, the Council hears about what is going on at Asbury. They offer valuable feedback and suggestions on how Asbury can currently serve our alumni. Additionally, they partner with Asbury to offer services to alumni through their ministries.
Alumni Bibles
Each May and December at graduation, the graduates receive a Bible from the Alumni Association. This Bible is presented by Alumni Council members and Tammy Cessna, the Director of Alumni and Church Relations. The Alumni Council has taken up an offering at the fall meetings to cover the cost of giving each new Alumni this special gift from the Alumni Association.
Alumni Council Meeting in India
In June of 2013, Asbury Theological Seminary and South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding Partnership. This mutli-faceted cooperative affiliation provides structure for bilateral faculty and student exchange, team-teaching, joint research and publication projects, cooperative mission ventures, and digital resource sharing. This fall, the Alumni Council will be meeting at SAIACS for our first ever international Alumni Council meeting.
In addition to our Alumni Council meeting, the Council will host Alumni gatherings with our alumni in India. One of the purposes of the Alumni Council is to connect each alumnus/alumna with Asbury Seminary. Gathering with each other in India will not only connect alumni with Asbury, but connect alumni with one another.