The Office of Loans and Scholarships at the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) recognized three recent Doctor of Philosophy graduates who participated in the Women of Color (WOC) Scholars Program: Mary Wong Cheng, Michele Watkins and Catherine E. Williams. Each scholar graduated in May 2017.

With great sadness, GBHEM announced the passing of Dr. Ted Brown, 65, on May 20, 2017. Brown began serving as interim associate general secretary for the Division of Higher Education on April 3, 2017. He previously served on the GBHEM Board of Directors for two consecutive quadrennia, as vice president of the Division of Higher Education. He also served as the president of the International Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU).

The Publishing Office at GBHEM announced the release of two new books, “Common Worship: Tradition, Formation, Mission” by E. Byron Anderson and “The Vocation of Theology: Inquiry, Dialogue, Adoration” edited by Rex D. Matthews.

The Commission on Central Conference Theological Education awarded 67 grants totaling more than $1 million to the seven Central Conferences of The United Methodist Church. The grants fund theological education advances at theological institutions, Boards of Ordained Ministry and agencies integrally related to training United Methodist pastors.

The Korean Methodist Church's (KMC) clergy coach program is one result of the partnership between the Clergy Lifelong Learning Office at GBHEM and the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the KMC. Eight new KMC coaches have been trained and certified through the program.

GBHEM supports increased interfaith dialogue among United Methodist campuses, providing students with the education and skills they need to be leaders in a religiously pluralistic world.

Pavielle Chriss Jenkins serves as the associate director of Student Ministry for First United Methodist Church Richardson in Texas. Pavielle’s story of grace and perseverance is truly inspiring. Pavielle used the helped she received, including scholarships from GBHEM, to enhance her life so that she could help others. Read Pavielle’s story in her own words.

The Black College Fund was established 45 years ago to provide financial support to the 11 United Methodist-related historically black colleges and universities. Over the years, the millions of dollars allocated for these institutions have helped maintain solid and challenging academic programs, strong faculties and well-equipped facilities.

GBHEM and AUMTS announced the launch of a new website focused on the academic theological colloquy, “The Unity of the Church and Human Sexuality: Toward a Faithful United Methodist Witness.” The event will take place March 10-12, 2017, at the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. John Wells has been named provost for Emory & Henry College. He has served as associate general secretary for the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry’s Division of Higher Education since 2016.

Ethnic In-Service Training Grant applications are open now through March 1, 2017. The EIST grant is for initiatives and programming designed to recruit, train and retain ethnically diverse United Methodists in leadership positions in every level of the church and its ministries. The grant awards up to $10,000 for innovative minority training programs.