Alumni News
Milestone Ordination Anniversaries May-August 2025
Celebrating 70 Years
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John Alexander 6/26/1955
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Bob Sebesta 7/17/1955
Celebrating 60 Years
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Jim Ainsworth 7/14/1965
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John Purcell 6/27/1965
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John L. Williams 6/20/1965
Celebrating 50 Years
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Mike Cole 6/10/1975
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Bennie Compton 6/8/1975
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Dewey Johnson 6/8/1975
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Bill Knudsen 5/2/1975
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Don McGarity 6/8/1975
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Dick Spinner 6/12/1975
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Rebecca Weaver 6/29/1975
In the news, on air, and in print:
Joshua Grijalva earned his DMin from us in 1979. Although he died in 2018, this article in May provides a horrifying account of the deportation his family experienced in the 1930s: Alemán: Treasonous Deportation of U.S. Citizens, 3.0 – Rio Grande Guardian
Bob Lively (MDiv’73, DMin’79) announces publication of his latest book: The Kingdom of God in Trump's America: Lively, Reverend Bob: 9781959127451: Amazon.com: Books
For more on David Leslie’s retirement: https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/houston-rothko-chapel-executive-director-20355607.php
Mark Hinds (MDiv’87) revised and updated PC(USA) curriculum for confirmation, Changing the World: Confirmation for the Missional Church. “Requiring adolescents to join the church by professing their faith is a relic of a church concerned with its own power and survival. The focus is on institutional life rather than the call to discipleship. Changing the World shifts the emphasis from increasing membership rolls to helping teenagers claim their missional identities and vocations.”
Rob Morrison (DMin’89) has published Through the Valley of Shadows, My 3 Near Death Miracles. He notes, “It has gotten good reviews: a 5 Star Rating and the top of the list on Amazon. It is an inspiration of hope and courage to all of us as we face the valleys of life.” Through the Valley of the Shadows: My Three Near Death Miracles!: Morrison, Rob: 9798310782983: Amazon.com: Books
Nettie Reynolds (MDiv'17) shares this essay, recently published by the Chicago Story Press: https://chicagostorypress.com/f/what-they-don%E2%80%99t-tell-you-about-dying-alone-by-nettie-reynolds
Listen to Austin Seminary Alum and current Board Member, Jasiel Hernandez Garcia (MDiv'18), Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church Kerrville, who shared with NPR about his experiences after FPC Kerrville became a reunification center for the community amidst the recent catastrophic flooding affecting Kerr County and several other parts of central Texas and Texas Hill Country. https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/nx-s1-5461433/church-in-kerrville-serves-as-reunification-center-following-central-texas-floods
James Talarico (MATS’25), a member of the Texas House of Representatives, has had several articles written about him, including: Joe Rogan’s Latest Guest Might Turn Texas Blue - POLITICO
Where are they now?
We celebrate with these seven alumni who were honorably retired by the Rio Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, June 13, 2025:
- Austin Frederick, Jr. (DMin’94)
- Denise Barker (MA’99)
- Valerie Bauer Sansing (MDiv’00)
- Cheryl A Broome (MDiv’02)
- H Lee Romero (MDiv’07)
- Paul E Harris (MATS’10)
- Rip Collins (MAMP’19)
Sallie Watson (MDiv’87) has stepped out of retirement and is Associate Director of Mid Council Relations in the Interim Unified Agency of the PC(USA). Sallie insists, “It's a one-year term, after which I look forward to continuing retirement!” She also notes, “I get to work from home in San Antonio and work with Alex Rodgers (MDiv’09), which is a treat.”
On June 30, David Leslie (MDiv'88) retired as Executive Director of Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas. He and Leigh have moved to West Linn, Oregon.
Andy Blair (MDiv’89) and Jannel Blair (MDiv’90) Andy started a call as Interim Pastor for Covenant Presbyterian Church, College Station, Texas, in September of 2024. Andy previously served 11 years as Pastor at FPC, Canyon, Texas. Jannell is Pastor at Brenham Presbyterian Church.
Gordon Butler (MDiv’89) has been called as Pastor for First Presbyterian Church, La Grange, Texas.
In May, Thomas Sweet (DMin’93) retired after nearly four decades as pastor in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. He served Bertram (Texas) Cumberland for seven years and then was pastor for thirty years at Beaver Creek Cumberland Presbyterian, Powell, Tennessee.
In April, Aaron Nagel (MDiv’94) was called as Senior Pastor and Head of Staff at Sandia Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Trish Tedrow (MDiv'98) has accepted a call as pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Moscow, Idaho. She started there on August 1.
Scott Miller (DMin’02) was honorably retired by the PC(USA) in February 2025. He and Sara now live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Scott is from originally.
On August 17, Matt Morse (MDiv’03) begins his call as Pastor/Head of Staff to Parkway Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, Texas. His installation service is on October 12.
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary announced that Dhawn Martin (MDiv’03) joined the faculty as Assistant Professor of Theology beginning July 1.
Adam Smith (MDiv'08) has been called to New Braunfels (Texas) Presbyterian Church, beginning August 15.
In September, Scott Spence (MDiv'12) will start his new call as Pastor and Teacher at The Neighborhood Church (UCC) -- that's United Congregational Church -- in Palos Verdes, California. He has been serving as Pastor for Somers (Connecticut) Congregational Church.
Barrett Abernethy (MDiv’13) has been called as Senior Pastor/Head of Staff for 2nd Presbyterian Church, Louisville, Kentucky. He begins there on September 2.
Shea McGinnis (MDiv’14) is serving as Designated Pastor for Grace Presbyterian Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.
In August, Amanda Mackey Boss (MDiv'16) begins as a middle school teacher at Saint Francis of Assisi School, part of the Rochester, Minnesota Catholic Schools District.
Becky Bryan (MDiv’18) has been called as Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, Florida.
In May, Jeannie Corbitt Cardona (MDiv’20) began her call as Senior Pastor for First Presbyterian Church, Bryan, Texas.
Kailey Stephens (MDiv'21) has been called to King’s Grant Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach to serve as Associate Pastor for Family and Community Ministries. Kailey will be ordained this fall.
On August 10, Julia Burkley (MDiv’22) started as Pastor at Concord Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, Delaware.
Courtnay Veazey (MDiv’22) has been called as Pastor/Head of Staff to 2nd Presbyterian Church Nashville, Tennessee, beginning September 1.
Ordinations and Commissions
Todd Jones (MDiv'19) was commissioned June 13, 2025, as a Provisional Deacon in the UMC by Bishop Harvey of the Rio Texas Annual Conference. Todd has been appointed to continue to serve the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Campus Ministry, which he has done for several years, and also oversee the Rio Grande region of the U.M. Army, the United Methodist youth and young adult ministry program.
Sarah Rutherford (MDiv'25) was ordained on July 27, 2025, into the PC(USA) by Grace Presbytery. The ordination was hosted by Sarah's home church, Grace Presbyterian Church, Plano, where Tracey Davenport (MDiv'99, DMin'12) is pastor/head of staff. Sarah is a Resident Minister at First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Other Alumni News and Notes
John Zeigler (MDiv’68) wrote us recently: Hello, Dear Friends: I graduated from APTS in 1968. My years there were the most wonderful academic experience of my life! My wife, Linda, and I lived off campus and were not deeply involved in the campus community, but participated in the life of El Buen Pastor Presbyterian Church in Austin. Linda worked in the Synod office, which was in Austin, as editor of the Texas Presbyterian monthly rag. I retired at age 70… though I continued to work in a Stated Supply capacity, retiring again at age 78 from First Presbyterian Church, Lewisville, Texas. I now live in Georgetown and worship at Christ Lutheran Church (ELCA) as a plain vanilla member. As such, I am not allowed to retain membership in a PCUSA Presbytery, but after 56 prior years of official association with the PCUS/PCUSA, I am quite content to be a part of a warm and welcoming congregation of like-minded Christians.
Gil Richardson (MDiv’86) recently visited his sister in Katonah, New York. He discovered that a few doors away is the Presbyterian Church of Katonah, where Martin McGeachy (MDiv’94) is the pastor. Gil says, “He did a great job leading worship and preaching; he has breathed new energy into the congregation. Of course, we swapped a few APTS stories at fellowship time.”
Bill Hamilton (MDiv’77) shares, “Cathy and I are spending July and August at our cabin in southwest Washington. She’s active at New Garden Friends Meeting, serving on committees, etc. I attend worship with her, but neither of us is a member. I served that congregation as interim pastoral minister ten years ago, followed by interim stints at two Presbyterian churches before I retired.”
Bonnie Canizaro (DMin'18) writes that she is now honorably retired and writing a set of novels about women in ministry and books on forgiveness, affirmation, and ministry to older adults. She also serves the Pueblo Presbytery as pulpit supply.
In Memoriam
David A. Thomas (MDiv'66), July 23, 2025, Temple, Texas. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Grace Presbyterian Church, Temple.
Charles W. Cropper (MDiv'88), July 25, 2025, La Vernia, Texas. https://www.finchfuneralchapels.com/.../5620520/index.php
Charlotte Trafton's (MDiv’06) husband, Jeff, died April 25, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
Fern Chester, May 14, 2025, Long Branch, New Jersey. Fern served as Administrative Assistant to the Dean, overseeing the doctoral and continuing education programs for 21 years. https://everloved.com/life-of/fern-chester/obituary/?flow=201
You can view our in memoriam slide show presented at MidWinters 2026 below.