March 22, 2007 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)

Angella Current-Felder

The agency is providing $21,000 in assistance through the Bishop James C. Baker Graduate Awards, given through the agency's Office of Loans and Scholarships to students interested in improving their skills as a campus minister in higher education through advanced study, and who are expected to remain in campus ministry.

"Campus ministers and chaplains play a critical role in the development of future leaders for the church and the world," said Angella Current-Felder, executive director of the Office of Loans and Scholarships.

"Often, a campus minister is the sole connection to church for a young adult who is away at college. These awards offer an opportunity for advanced training and study to those campus ministers and chaplains who plan to continue working on campuses."

Newly announced recipients are:

• Jennifer Copeland, a renewal Baker Award recipient, is nearing completion of a doctorate degree in hermeneutics at United Methodist-related Duke University in Durham, N.C. She has served as the Duke University Wesley Fellowship campus minister since 1999.
• William Finnin, a three-time Baker Award recipient, has served for 27 years as senior chaplain and minister to Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is pursuing a doctorate in practical theological and ethical issues related to Christian inclusivism within a campus setting at Southern Methodist University.
• Robert Hicks, director of the Wesley Foundation at Washington State University, is pursuing his doctorate in leadership studies at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Wash.
• Jeanne Koughna, a three-time recipient of the Baker Award, is director of the Wesley Foundation at Ferris State University. She is pursuing a doctorate in psychology at Walden University, Naples, Fla.
• Jane Nickell, chaplain at United Methodist-related Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., is pursuing a doctorate in sociology of religion at Drew University in Madison, N.J.

The awards, named for the late James C. Baker, are given to campus ministers or chaplains who are continuing their education through a full-time degree program, certified non-degree program or independent studies.

“Campus ministers and chaplains play a critical role in the development of future leaders for the church and the world.”–Angella Current-Felder

Baker began a campus ministry in 1913 for college students attending the University of Illinois and named it the "Wesley Foundation." The ministry later became the model for denominational ministry at public universities across the United States.

Information about educational scholarships and loans in The United Methodist Church can be found at www.gbhem.org/gbhem/loans2.html, by contacting the Office of Loans and Scholarships, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-0007, or calling (615) 340-7344 about scholarships and (615) 340-7346 about loans.

News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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Resources

General Board of Higher Education and Ministry

Campus Ministry