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Dec. 6, 2005

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Six women and three men selected as the 2006-07 Dempster Scholars will receive awards of $2,000 to $10,000 next year to further their theological studies.

“These awards have helped graduate students move toward careers in theological education for the past five decades and represent the United Methodist Church’s strong commitment of excellence in theological education, both in the United States and around the world,” said the Rev. Robert Kohler, a staff executive in the Division of Ordained Ministry at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

The scholarships are given through the denomination’s ministerial education fund and the board’s Division of Ordained Ministry to assist students in their pursuit off careers in theological education. The board announced the nine recipients Nov. 20. Five Dempster Graduate Fellowship recipients will receive awards of up to $10,000 a year for five years, not to exceed $30,000 total. The four Dempster Graduate Scholarship recipients will receive $1,000 to $5,000 a year.

The 2006-07 Dempster Graduate Fellowship recipients are: 

• Tiffany Lynn Steinwert, a probationary member of the New England Annual (regional) Conference and graduate of Williams College and Boston University School of Theology. She is enrolled in the doctor of theology program at Boston University School of Theology.
• Jane Ellen Nickell, an ordained elder of the West Virginia Annual Conference and a graduate of West Virginia Wesleyan College and Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tenn. She is enrolled in the doctoral program at Drew University, Madison, N.J.
• Rebecca Jane Irelan, an ordained elder in the California-Nevada Annual Conference, is a graduate of Boston University and Duke Divinity School. She is enrolled in a doctoral  program at Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif.
• Mary K. Cavazos, an ordained elder of the West Ohio Annual Conference, is a graduate of Albion College and Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She is enrolled in a doctoral program at Drew University, Madison, N.J.
• Sharon Lynn Betsworth, an ordained elder in the Iowa Annual Conference, is a graduate of Luther College, Wesley Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. She is in her fifth year of a doctoral program at Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, Calif.

Nickell, Irelan, Cavazos and Betsworth are all past fellowship recipients.

The 2006-07 Dempster Graduate Scholarship recipients are: 

• Jeremy Todd Bakker, a certified candidate in the North Texas Annual Conference, is a graduate of the University of North Texas and Perkins School of Theology. He is in his first year of a doctoral program at Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
• Kirk Alan VanGilder, an ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, is a graduate of Ball State University and Iliff School of Theology. He is  enrolled in his third year of a doctorate of theology program at Boston University.
• Julie Marie Todd, an ordained elder in the New England Annual Conference, is a graduate of Boston University. She is in her first year of a joint University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology doctoral program.
• Douglas Dean Tzan, an ordained elder in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference, is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Iliff School of Theology. He is in his first year of a doctorate of theology program at Boston University School of Theology.

Bakker and VanGilder have previously received Dempster Fellowships.

The 51-year-old awards are named for John Dempster, a 19th century Methodist preacher who helped found three denominationally related seminaries.

“The fellowships are among the most important academic awards in the nation and are significant commitments to the future United Methodist biblical and theological scholarship,” Kohler said.

Selection is based on intellectual excellence, academic achievement, promise of usefulness in teaching careers, personal qualities, clarity of spiritual purpose, and commitment to Christian ministry and the preparation of pastoral leadership for the church.

For more information on the Dempster Graduate scholarships and fellowships, contact the Division of Ordained Ministry at (615) 340-7388 or e-mail jknox@gbhem.org.

*Information for the above article was adapted from a release by Vicki Brown of the Office of Interpretation at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

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