University Senate Strengthens United Methodist Educational Ties at Joint Meeting with NAAMSCU

In a joint meeting with the North American Association of Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAAMSCU) on June 19, the University Senate of The United Methodist Church reaffirmed and deepened its connection with UM-related educational institutions focusing on their United Methodist identity, academic excellence and social justice in higher education.

Four United Methodist bishops participated — Bishop Grant Hagiya as a senator; Bishop Daniel W. Schwerin; the Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball and the Bishop Gregory Palmer. Bishop Schwerin led the Wednesday evening opening devotion. Bishop Steiner Ball offered prayer and a homily Thursday morning, and Bishop Palmer preached at the Juneteenth celebration Thursday evening.

“The world needs us now more than it did in the recent past,” said Dr. Susanna Baxter, president of LaGrange College, University Senate and NAAMSCU. “I applaud each and every one of you for what you do back in the trenches to make sure students get educated from around this world.”

At the NAAMSCU meeting, Chris Holoman, president of Centenary College, was elected president, succeeding Baxter, who completed her one-year term. Other elected officers include President Javier Viera of Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, first vice president and President Albert Mosley of Morningside University, second vice president.

As NAAMSCU president, Baxter worked to reinvigorate the organization’s committee structure “to engage more presidents in providing high quality programming [for members] and discerning our organizational mission.”

At the heart of the June 19 agenda was the United Methodist ethos, which represents the unique religious identity of United Methodist-related institutions. Participants explored Wesleyan theology and emphasized a commitment to educating the whole person and fostering a holistic educational model blending intellectual pursuit with moral and spiritual development.

Roland Fernandes, general secretary of the General Boards of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries, emphasized the global and connectional nature of the church’s educational mission. “I take strength from the church and the academy gathering around the globe like never before to look at how we collectively respond to all that faces us at this time.”

Campuses with a strong United Methodist ethos strive to embody these values in every aspect of the institution, from curriculum design and faculty mentorship to student activities and community partnerships.

Throughout the meeting, presidents and senators noted the long-standing Methodist focus on social justice, inclusiveness and academic freedom. “We draw the circle wide,” said Holoman, referencing the church’s open-table theology. Others cited values such as service, compassion, and connectionalism as being integral to a United Methodist-related education.

During a session, Centenary University President Dale Caldwell said, “Our table discussed that we are making disciples just as the church is. We are preparing, empowering, equipping and educating young people to go out and to make a difference.”

Despite current challenges affecting the academy, attendees expressed hope and commitment. “Education can transform communities so they can transform the world,” said President James Hildreth of Meharry Medical College.

“The ethos we embrace isn’t always easy to define,” said Kim Kvaal, executive vice president and chief financial officer for the University of Puget Sound, “but it’s lived out in how we teach, lead, and love students.”

The next Senate meeting will be held in January 2026. The next NAAMSCU meeting has not been scheduled.

Members of the United Methodist University Senate and the North American Association for Methodist Schools, Colleges and Universities held their joint meeting in Detroit on June 18-20. Photo by Adam Bowers