Alumni News
Milestone Ordination Anniversaries September 2025 -- February 2026
Celebrating 70 Years
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Dick Adams 9/18/1955
Celebrating 50 Years
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Gary Goodman 9/21/1975
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Lonnie Duvall 2/29/1976
In the news, on air, and in print:
Ted Foote, Jr. (MDiv’79) and Alex Thornburg, III (MDiv’90) have published the third book they have co-authored: Being Presbyterian in a Dysvangelical America: A Guide to Reclaiming the Good News of God’s Grace. Westminster-John Knox Press says the book speaks “directly to Presbyterians who are disillusioned and confused by how Christianity is being misused in American culture. So often, our beliefs as faithful Christians do not line up with the shouted chants and disturbing actions taken by those claiming to represent a true vision of Christianity. Twenty-five years after their best-selling book Being Presbyterian in the Bible Belt, the authors return with fresh urgency to affirm the heart of Reformed theology and what it means to be truly evangelical in a time of theological and cultural distortion. With clarity, compassion, and a touch of humor…”
Ideal for individual or group study, the book includes an eight-session study guide that provides focus Scriptures, questions for discussion, and prayers. To enhance group study, chapter introduction videos from the authors are available on the WJK YouTube channel.
Helen Boursier (MDiv’07) shares that she has published her 7th academic book and 20th book overall: All of Me: Patient-Centered Spirituality for Holistic Caregiving. From the publisher: All of Me illuminates how chaplains, hospital caregivers, and clergy can provide spiritual care for those who are sick, in hospitals, preparing for surgery, or recovering. Based on interviews with forty hospital and ER patients about their experiences, lessons learned, and insights gained while receiving care, Boursier weaves these accounts together with interdisciplinary literature from medical and social sciences, ethics, philosophy, spirituality, theology, and religious studies.
Tony Chambless (MDiv’07) recently published a collection of sermons written over the course of his ministry. Notes From a Wandering Mind is available as a Kindle, paperback, and hardback. Among the lessons he learned and shares in his sermons:
"When you have said what you were going to say, shut up."
"Talking about it won't get it done."
"A cat can have kittens in the oven, but that don't make 'em biscuits."
"Don't look at the sun."
"Never try to catch a porcupine."
"The one who gets you into a mess might not be trying to hurt you. The one who gets you out might not be trying to help."
Steven K. Parker (DMin’11) shares that his new book, Getting the Church Inside You: Balancing Faith and Action, was published in February 2026 through Kharis Publishing. His doctoral project, titled "Familia Fiesta: Working toward a Sense of Spiritual Kinship," focused on community building in a diverse context, which directly informs the themes of this new book. Steven has served as Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in Weslaco, Texas, since 2008. He and his wife, Lisa, are celebrating 30 years of marriage and are grateful for the ongoing growth and callings of their children, Morgan, Nathan, Casey, and Micah.
Greg Allen-Pickett (MDiv’15) was interviewed for the alumni magazine of Hastings College: Reaching across the divide: Q&A with Rev. Greg Allen-Pickett - Hastings College
Nettie Reynolds (MDiv'17) had another story published by the Chicago Story Press:https://psyche.co/turning-points/as-a-hospital-chaplain-my-job-was-holding-hands-in-the-dark
The Austin Seminary Association (ASA) Leadership team met in September and chose five alumni to honor with lifelong service or spotlight awards. They were recognized at an alumni celebration during MidWinter Lectures 2026:
Jim Currie (MDiv’79; ThM’89) for his lifelong ministry and service to the church; Jim Rigby (MDiv’79; DMin’79) for his lifelong ministry and service to the church; Matt Miles (MDiv’99) for the Spotlight Award for his Multi-Faceted Ministry; Susan Cottrell (MATS’17) for the Spotlight Award for Advocacy; Rev. Jasiel Hernandez (MDiv’18) for the Spotlight Award for Sacred Leadership
Read more about each awardee: Austin Seminary Association (ASA) - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Where are they now?
Gordon Butler (MDiv’89) was installed as pastor at First Presbyterian Church, La Grange, Texas, on October 26, 2025
Alexander Hunter (DMin’90) retired from the United Church of Christ and is living in South Hadley, MA.
Ernest Gardner (MDiv’00) was installed as pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Denton, Texas, on March 1, 2026.
Dixie Anders (MDiv’01) has moved to Gering, Nebraska, to live closer to grandchildren.
Chris Johnson (MDiv’06 ) is part of the leadership team of the private aerospace company, Blue Origin. Chris lives in Covington, Washington.
Rich Wright (DMin’10) now serves as Senior Pastor, Trinity Methodist Church, Phenix City, Alabama.
In November, Ann Ditty (CIM’15) was installed as moderator of Heartland Presbytery.
Kathy Lee-Cornell (MDiv’16) PDA for PC(USA)
Kevin Ireland (MDiv’22) has been called as pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church, Wichita, Kansas.
Jackie Freeman (MDiv’20) serves as a chaplain within Methodist Specialty & Transplant Hospital, a part of the Methodist Healthcare System of San Antonio.
Libby Janes (MDiv’25) was installed on February 23, 2026, as Director of the Synod Partnership for Disaster Recovery for the Synod of the Sun.
Ordinations and Commissions
Kailey Stephens (MDiv’21) was ordained into the PC(USA) by Grace Presbytery on October 19, 2025. The service was hosted by Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church. Kailey was installed as Associate Pastor for Family and Community Ministries at King’s Grant Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach.
Langley Hoyt (MDiv’24) was ordained on October 4, 2025, at Raleigh Presbyterian Church, Presbytery of New Hope. Langley is a chaplain at WakeMed Hospital, completing her second year of CPE residency.
Caroline Eader (MDiv’25) was ordained into the PC(USA) by the Presbytery of Miami Valley on January 18, 2026. The service was hosted by her home church, First United Presbyterian, in Bellfontaine, Ohio. Caroline is a Lake Fellow in Parish Ministry at 2nd Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Rachel Finken (MDiv'25) was ordained into the PC(USA) by the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy on September 21, 2025. She was also installed as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, Missouri.
Allen Roberts (MDiv’23) was ordained into the PC(USA) by Mission Presbytery on September 14, 2025. Allen serves as Associate Pastor for Inclusion & Integration at University Presbyterian Church, Austin, and is also a hospital and hospice chaplain in Austin.
Other Alumni News and Notes
John Olszewski, husband of Jerri Olszewski (MDiv’94), died January 8, 2026, Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Mark Lewis, son of Kay Lewis (MA’96) and former professor Alan Lewis, was recognized for his work in oncology: Mark A. Lewis Recognized among The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025 - OncoDaily
David Reed (MDiv’97) and Linda Whitworth-Reed (MDiv’08) share that over the summer they took a month long vacation to Washington State & back home to Conway, Arkansas. “We enjoyed seeing lots of waterfalls & rock formations and visiting family & friends.” In retirement, David has also enjoyed “my master’s vocation, TEKTON (woodworker, no stonework yet).”
Wendy Manual (MDiv’16) writes, “I'm officially retired from hospice/hospital chaplaincy and am now a RBCC (Retired Board Certified Chaplain). In retirement, I am focusing on writing poetry and have published a few poems. I am currently serving as the VP for the Northfield Arts Guild. John and I enjoy many activities in Northfield (of which there are many!), including political, social justice, hiking, and music.
Stan Cravatt, husband of Ann Graham (MDiv’21), died, January 12, 2026, McDade, Texas.
Danita Nelson (MAMP’21) was accepted to take part in the NEXT Church 'Preaching for Change' Still we preach cohort. The year-long program features shared learning among people of color who serve primarily Euro-American congregations/contexts.
Heather Williamsen (MDiv’05) updated us as she celebrated her 20th ‘ordiversary.’ “I attend Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Mississippi, a sweet congregation. I’m a Member-At-Large in the Presbytery of Mississippi and fill pulpit supply 2-3 times a year while raising my children. Both of my teenagers are in high school, and it's "Bandtober" for us. We are the only MS band to achieve finals at a Bands of America Super Regional Competition. Tomorrow, Nov. 1, is our State competition, where we hope to achieve the title of State Champions 2 years in a row (which hasn't been done before at Germantown).”
In the fall of 2025, Marta Pumroy-Cordero (MDiv’24), married Raul Cordero. She was also interviewed by NPR El Paso on the her ministry as part of the Tres Rios Presbyterian Border Foundation: Volunteers and faith leaders offer prayers, help for people detained by ICE at immigration court. Marta and The Rev. Dr. Kristopher D. Schondelmeyer have announced that they will stand for election as co-moderators during the upcoming 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Milwaukee.
James Talarico (MATS’25) won the Democratic primary for Texas U.S. Senate. James Talarico delivers Democratic primary victory speech
Congratulations to our newest Certificate in Ministry program graduates! They are Donald Anderson, Mary Diehl, Debbie (Debra) Fulton, Kris Jones, Carrie Lauber, Briana (Bri) Mayfield, Melody Oliphant, MaryLee Schultz. They have all successfully completed 7 of the 9 CIM courses. A few of them are officially still students as they are completing the remaining 2 courses, if required by their Presbytery to seek Certified Ruling Elder status. In February, we had the honor to present Donald Anderson’s certificate to him at his home church, First Presbyterian Victoria.
In Memoriam
John Alexander (MDiv’55), January 30, 2026, Beaumont, Texas Rev. John Alexander – Broussard's Mortuary
Bob Sebesta (MDiv’55, DMin’83), October 6, 2025, Seguin, Texas Obituary | Rev. Dr. Robert J. Sebesta of Seguin, Texas | Tres Hewell Mortuary
Bill Walker (MDiv’57), February 23, 2026, San Antonio, Texas [https://neptunesociety.com/.../william-walker-12760271]
Ben Carpenter (MDiv’59), December 20, 2025, Cuero, Texas Ben Carpenter Obituary December 20, 2025 - Freund Funeral Home
Charles Partee (MDiv’60), September 14, 2025, Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania Charles B Partee Jr Obituary (1934-2025) - Devlin Funeral Home
Ruben Armendariz (MDiv’61), November 27, 2025, San Antonio, Texas
Ruben Armendáriz Obituary - San Antonio, TX
Dalton Utsey (MDiv’67, DMin’84), February 7, 2026, Tyler, Texas https://tylerpaper.com/2026/02/18/james-dalton-utsey/
Jim McLeod (MDiv’68), September 21, 2025, Brenham, Texas Reverend Doctor James Angus McLeod | Obituaries | brenhambanner.com
Stewart Coffman (ThM'77, DMin'79), August 29, 2025, Houston, Texas Thomas Coffman Obituary (1934 - 2025) - Houston, TX - Houston Chronicle
Pat Abrams (MDiv'79), January 5, 2026, Friendswood, Texas
David Henry (Dmin’84), January 4, 2026, Burnet, Texas. E. Henry Obituary (1946 - 2026) - Marble Falls, TX - The Highlander
Frank Muse (MDiv’90), October 4, 2025, Leola, Pennsylvania Frank Kelly Muse | Obituaries | lancasteronline.com
Mike Morgan (MDiv’92), November 21, 2025, Texarkana, Texas Michael Morgan Obituary | Texarkana Gazette
Guy Pearce (DMin’93), November 28, 2025, Anthony, Texas Guy Pearce Obituary - El Paso Times
Tom Johnson (MDiv’96), November 30, 2025, San Benito, Texas
Rev. Thomas C. Johnson Obituary November 30, 2025 - Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home
Coral Migoni-Ryan (MDiv’97), December 1, 2025, Austin, Texas Coral Migoni-Ryan Obituary - Austin, TX
Kay Roberts (MDiv’99), October 18, 2025, Grinnell, Iowa Catherine Ann "Kay" Roberts Obituary (2025) - Grinnell, IA - Smith Funeral Home, Crematory, & Monument - Grinnell
Linda Sharon (MDiv’06), March 1, 2026, Houston, Texas Linda Sharon Obituary - Webster, TX
You can view our in memoriam slide show presented at MidWinters 2026 below.