Ashley Boggan D., general secretary of the General Commission on Archives and History, will speak on the history of the United Methodist Church in MTSO’s Alford Centrum at 7 p.m. Oct. 8. The event, presented by the Theological Commons at MTSO in partnership with the East Ohio and West Ohio conferences of the UMC, is free and open to the public.

In her GCAH role, Boggan ensures that the UMC understands its past in order to envision a more equitable future for all Methodists. She earned her Ph.D. from Drew Theological School and her M.A. from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

She is the author of Nevertheless: American Methodists and Women’s Rights and Entangled: A History of American Methodism, Politics, and Sexuality.

“Dr. Boggan is widely known for her ability to share her deep knowledge of United Methodist history with unique energy,” said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “I’m excited to hear her speak on our campus.”

Jee Hyun Baek has been appointed visiting assistant professor of theology. She comes to MTSO as a postdoctoral scholar of the Louisville Institute, which provides generous financial support for her position.

Baek earned a Ph.D from Boston University in theology, ethics and philosophy, with a concentration in constructive theology. She received M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Duke University Divinity School, as well as a BA and an MA from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, South Korea.

“We’re pleased to welcome this outstanding new member of our community,” said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “Dr. Baek is our third Louisville Institute scholar, following in the footsteps of Dr. Kyle Brooks and Dr. Kate Common. We are grateful for the institute’s support.”

We invite all MTSO alumni, students, faculty and staff – as well as former Methesco employees – to join us for Alumni Day and take advantage of this opportunity to reconnect.

MTSO’s 2024 Alumni Day begins at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, with a luncheon honoring recipients of the 2024 John and Ruth Mount Alumni Awards for Distinguished Service:

• Kenya Cummings (M.Div. ’16) is executive director of the South Carolina Housing Justice Network.
• David Mansperger (M.Div. ’69, MRE ’70, D.Min. ’06) is a retired United Methodist pastor and serves as a valued volunteer for Seminary Hill Farm.

After lunch, we’ll gather at 1:30 p.m. in the Alford Centrum for a lecture by Assistant Professor of Public and Practical Theology Kate Common, who will discuss her new book, Undoing Conquest: Ancient Israel, the Bible, and the Future of Christianity, with responses from a panel of MTSO faculty members. The day will conclude at 3:30 p.m.

There is no cost to attend Alumni Day. We simply ask that you RSVP on our Alumni Day information page.

A highlight of The Story Magazine and Annual Report is Alum News, with updates on the vocations and lives of MTSO’s alumni. We invite all alumni to be a part of this feature by sharing your news.

To bring us up to date on your professional and personal news, simply visit our alumni update web page. Thanks for your contribution.