Oldest Methodist college in U.S. marks 175 years
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A UMNS photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College Students lead the closing procession during a worship service celebrating Randolph-Macon College's 175th anniversary.
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John
Robertson, holding the crucifer, and Matthew Grise, acolyte-both
freshmen at Randolph-Macon College and A. Purnell Bailey scholars-lead
the closing procession during a Feb. 26 celebratory worship service at
the school. The service, held at Duncan United Methodist Church in
Ashland, Va., marked the 175th anniversary of Randolph-Macon, the oldest
Methodist school in the country. A UMNS photo courtesy of
Randolph-Macon College. Photo #05-214. Accompanies UMNS story #141,
3/8/05 |
March 8, 2005 By Holly Clark* ASHLAND,
Va. (UMNS)—Nearly two centuries ago, Randolph-Macon College was born
from a need the United Methodist Church had for educated ministers to
spread their new faith in the new republic. Today,
in its 175th year, the church-related college continues to answer that
need, as well as celebrate its Methodist roots and longstanding
commitment to a liberal arts and sciences education. Randolph-Macon
College, the oldest Methodist school in the United States, marked its
milestone during a Feb. 26 celebratory worship service at Duncan
Memorial United Methodist Church, on the campus. Nearly 50 of the
college’s alumni who pursued careers in the ministry participated.
“The
college needed an event such as this,” said Ira Andrews, a religious
studies professor and 1959 Randolph-Macon graduate. “The clergy alumni
were thrilled that the event took place and to be asked back to the alma
mater to participate. It sent a powerful message to all that
Randolph-Macon College is a church-related college and the United
Methodist Church is a college-related church.”
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A UMNS photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College Bishop Charlene Kammerer addresses more than 150 attendees at the service.
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Bishop
Charlene Kammerer, leader of the Virginia Annual (regional) Conference,
addresses more than 150 attendees at a Feb. 26 religious service
celebrating Randolph-Macon College's 175th anniversary and its Methodist
roots. The school is believed to be the oldest Methodist school in the
United States. Kammerer is also on the school's board of trustees. A
UMNS photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College. Photo #05-215.
Accompanies UMNS story #141, 3/8/05 |
Bishop Charlene
Kammerer, newly appointed leader of the Virginia Annual (regional)
Conference, addressed the more than 150 attendees during the weekend’s
grand occasion. “For 175 years, Randolph-Macon College has
been building a tradition of quality in liberal arts education,” said
Kammerer, who serves on Randolph-Macon’s board of trustees. “Since its
founding by Methodists in 1830, the college has been attracting and
educating outstanding students of all faiths.” The
Methodist Episcopal Church’s General Conference voted in 1825 to
consider founding a liberal arts college. Two years later, three
Methodist pastors stopped for lunch in a field near Boydtown, Va., and
agreed that the spot would be ideal for a school. In 1830, the Virginia
General Assembly approved incorporating the college as Randolph-Macon,
named after John Randolph and Nathaniel Macon, political leaders of the
day. Today, it is one of 123 United Methodist-related colleges and universities across the country. “Randolph-Macon
College proudly holds the distinction of being the longest United
Methodist college in operation in the world,” Kammerer said. “You all
have had a profound role in not only preserving the past, but continuing
to open doors for the generations to come.” Four
Randolph-Macon students, all A. Purnell Bailey Pre-ministerial
scholarship recipients, concluded the celebration. The Bailey program
offers scholarships that include admission to Randolph-Macon as well as
free tuition and room and board to five students annually who are
committed to pursing divinity degrees after graduation. “While
the current college slogan is ‘Believe in the Moment of Connection,’
there is no more vital connection than that of our rich heritage with
the United Methodist Church,” said the Rev. Franklin Gillis Jr., the
school’s ministerial vocation coordinator. “In order to be true to the
purposes for which this college was founded, renewed efforts are being
made to reclaim and strengthen that heritage.”
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A UMNS photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College Two alumni of Randolph-Macon College, the Rev. M.J. Kim and the Rev. William F. Mahon, visit before the service.
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The
Rev. M.J. Kim, a 1961 graduate of Randolph-Macon College, and the Rev.
William F. Mahon, also a 1961 graduate, share a story before the Feb. 26
service celebrating their alma mater's 175th anniversary. About 50 of
Randolph-Macon's alumni who pursued careers in the ministry returned to
campus to participate in the special service marking the milestone. A
UMNS photo courtesy of Randolph-Macon College. Photo #05-216.
Accompanies UMNS story #141, 3/8/05 |
“Through the A.
Purnell Bailey Pre-Ministerial Program for Ordained Ministry, pastors
and churches are invited to identify and encourage high school students
to consider and respond to God’s call,” he said. “Students selected to
become Bailey scholars are involved in a variety of experiences to
nurture their call and commitment to ministry.” Jennifer
Fletcher, a college freshman and Purnell Bailey scholar, is one of
Randolph-Macon’s 1,063 students. She said she is proud to have the
opportunity to pursue ministry and get a liberal arts education at the
school. “Grasping
both knowledge and piety is vital in our Christian walk,” she said.
“Piety is wonderful, but knowledge is important because the more we know
about our Savior, the more we can appreciate his majesty. We
cannot identify with those we witness to if we do not have
knowledge. We need knowledge to answer their questions, to explain
our faith in ways that more people can relate to. Piety cannot
always be understood, but when it’s coupled with knowledge it is
something that more people can relate to.” As
the celebration concluded, Kammerer challenged the audience to continue
its commitment to educating scholars and fostering the relationship
between Randolph-Macon and the United Methodist Church. David
Hindman, class of ’72 and campus minister at The College of William
& Mary, said the celebration was a moving experience. “I hope and
pray it is the first step in a new chapter in the relationship between
the church and R-MC,” he said. “I am hopeful and excited about what the
future may hold for this precious partnership.” *Clark is media and communications specialist at Randolph-Macon College. News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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