Alumni in the News

First Congregational Church of Evanston names Rev. Dr. Ann Rosewall (MDiv'88) senior minister.

First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio has called Rev. Trey Little (MDiv'03) to lead the church as senior pastor.

The Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, located outside Hunt, Texas, has announced Richard H. “Dick” Powell Jr. (MDiv'07) as the new President and CEO. Powell will succeed David W. Jordan, who will retire this fall, concluding 12 years of highly successful and capable leadership.

A bit earlier this year, the Rev. Dr. Brent Hampton — who accepted a call to become senior minister of Brenham Presbyterian Church starting last November — completed the final requirements for his doctor of ministry degree through a non-resident Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary program. In doing this complex “double duty” — in reality it might be likened to having two fulltime jobs — by continuing as pastor of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Marble Falls, where he served from 2001 through Oct. 2010, Brenham Presbyterian Church’s brand new minister spent a full five years earning this coveted APTS ministry doctorate.

Where would Jesus jam? 1800s church hosts SXSW concerts Central Presbyterian Church only has two rules for rockers who play its sanctuary as part of South by Southwest: Don’t drink; and don’t shatter the stained glass. Other than that, pretty much anything goes. This is the sixth year the Central Presbyterian Church has been an official concert venue for this wild music festival in Austin, Texas, and it’s become one of the hippest places to watch a live music here. The reasons are kind of obvious when you think about it: After a week of wandering streets awash with trash water and wobble-walking drunks, the church lets concert goes sit down and actually listen to music for music’s sake. Few talk through performances in the sanctuary, and the vaulted ceilings and limestone walls create an amazingly clear, full sound.

Bob Moon (BD '61), pastor emeritus of First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, Texas, was inducted into the Hillsboro Area Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame.

Retired Army Chaplain Col. Gilley Richardson (MDiv '86) of San Antonio has received the 2011 Austin Seminary Association’s Distinguished Service Award at the annual ASA Banquet.

Northwestern Oklahoma State will host a Science and Religion Forum to discuss the relationship between science and religion presented by two scientists from Northwestern and two pastors from local churches, including Rev. Judye Pistole (MDiv '03).

The Rev. Dr. Al Staggs (DMin '96), a minister, actr and comedian from Santa Fe, N.M., will lead Maryville College's 2011 February Meetings, scheduled for Feb. 7-8.

Austin Seminary Alum Christena Alcorn (MDiv '94) has been appointed the new Ombuds for the Texas community college system.