Alumnae/i Days 2019
Alumnae/i Days
April 24-25, 2019
Pressing on Toward the Goal: Centered in Christ
Registration
Alumnae/i Days Event Registration
- The banquet is complementary for grads of the Class of 1944, 1949, 1954, 1959, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, 2018, Phonathon Callers, Alumnae/i Council, and this Year's Honorees (plus a guest)
- For graduates of other years and additional guests, the fee is $20 per person.
- Child care is available for kids ages 2-10 who are no longer in diapers.
Alum Awardees
Carey Jo Johnston ’03
Mission
Since 1989, Carey Jo Johnston has served as a mission consultant with Literacy & Evangelism International. She is materials development coordinator for LEI USA and managing director of the LEI Canada office.
Carey Jo received her master’s in theology with a mission emphasis from Fuller Theological Seminary, training from the Summer Institute of Linguistics, and M.Div. from PTS. With LEI she helps equip the church to share the gospel with the world’s more than two billion non-readers through the gift of reading and conversational English.
Carey Jo has taught at LEI’s International Literacy Training Institute for three decades and at international training institutes. She has worked with numerous churches and missions to develop Bible-content adult literacy materials in more than 60 languages and assisted with the training of volunteer ESL and literacy teachers in more than 20 countries.
Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada since moving there in 2004, she co-pastored Knox PC in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, for a decade. She now serves the local church through pulpit supply, the committees of Ontario’s Oak Ridges Presbytery, and as an interim-moderator.
William Gibson McCoy ’86/’07
Pastoral Ministry
After graduating from PTS, Bill McCoy became associate pastor for youth and family ministries at Sewickley PC, and its youth ministry blossomed. He also served in ministry at Western Penitentiary, Sewickley Ministerium, and on Pittsburgh Presbytery’s Investment in Mission to India and Pakistan and Preparation for Ministry committees.
After six years, Bill was called as senior pastor of New Wilmington PC. During his pastorate the church’s annual budget tripled, giving to missions rose dramatically, and church membership grew by more than 35 percent. Bill also served on the boards of Shenango Presbyterian Home and Mercer State Prison Chapel, as president of New Wilmington Ministerium, and as a member of Shenango Presbytery’s Evangelism, Stewardship and Mission, and Bills and Overtures committees and Permanent Judicial Council.
In 2006 Bill became senior pastor of First PC of Charleston, W.Va. He also received his D.Min. from PTS. Under his leadership First PC began emphasizing global mission and reestablished group ministry programs. He also served as president of the Westminster Foundation, board member at PTS, and vice moderator of the Presbytery of West Virginia, from which he is honorably retired.
John E. White ’82/’09
Specialized Ministry
Born and raised in greater Pittsburgh, John White also received his higher education and began his ministry and professional career in Western Pennsylvania. After earning his bachelor’s from Geneva College, he pursued an M.Div. and later a D.Min. at Pittsburgh Seminary. While still a master’s student at PTS, he began serving as the Seminary’s director of admissions and student relations. Eighteen years after graduating, John became dean of students and, later, vice president as well. In those two positions he served for a combined 12 years at PTS.
In the intervening period, and having been ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), John ministered as pastor of Trinity PC in St. Petersburg, Fla., then as pastor of Witherspoon Street PC in Princeton, N.J. In 2005 he became vice president for student relations and dean of students at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga. After eight years there, he assumed his current position as vice president for student relations and dean of student life at Princeton Theological Seminary. Throughout his career, John has provided leadership in the church by moderating sessions, serving on presbytery committees, and more.
Kellie D. Wild ’09
The Fred McFeely Rogers Award for Creative Ministry
For more than 24 years, Kellie Wild has worked in senior management positions to serve people living in poverty, including the homeless. Her wide-ranging degrees and licensure include an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Seminary and ordination as an elder in the UMC, a J.D. from Duquesne University and membership in the Pennsylvania bar, plus bachelor’s degrees from Allegheny College and Thomas Jefferson University and certification as a physical therapist.
In 2012 Kellie assumed her current job as IMPACTS program director for East End Cooperative Ministry. She ensures that all EECM’s services align with the overarching goal of breaking the cycles of poverty, addiction, and homelessness.
Kellie has taught as an adjunct professor in the University of Pittsburgh. Her volunteer work has included service on the boards of Church Union, Foundation of HOPE, and Three Rivers Walk to Emmaus; the advisory board of the Seminary’s Metro-Urban Institute; and various committees of the Western Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the UMC. She is a founding member and the first president of the Women’s Law Association of Duquesne University’s School of Law.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, April 24
Registration for Alumnae/i Days Begins
Rotunda, Long Hall – 10:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Worship Service
Hicks Chapel – 11:30 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Lunch
Kadel Dining Room, McNaugher Hall – 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m., available for purchase
Reunion Dinner for the 50-year; 40-year; 25-year Reunion Classes, Recipients of Distinguished Alumnae/i Awards and The Fred McFeely Rogers Award for Creative Ministry, and Invited Guests
Board bus behind the Chapel for dinner at the LeMont Restaurant and city tour with Alumnae/i Council tour guides: the Rev. Laura Strauss ’09 and the Rev. Sharon Stewart ’12.
Bus Tour – 2:00 p.m.
Hors d’oeuvres – 4:00 p.m.
Dinner – 5:00 p.m.
Concert: “Folk Inspirations”
Knox Room, Long Hall – 8:00 p.m.
Devin Arrington (violin), David Bennett (cello), Faye D’Ippolito (piano), Yang Jin (pipa), Mimi Jong (erhu), and Anna Singer (vocals)
Thursday, April 25
Registration for Alumnae/i Days
Rotunda, Long Hall – 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Continental Breakfast
Basfield Dining Room (inside Kadel Dining Room), McNaugher Hall
7:30-9:00 a.m.
Unexpected Spiritual Practices: The Six-Word Memoir
Knox Room, Long Hall – 9:10-10:00 a.m.
Dr. Shan Overton, Director of the Center for Writing and Learning Support
Join us for a spiritual writing workshop featuring the six-word memoir. Through this creative writing practice originated by Ernest Hemingway, participants will have the opportunity to listen to the still small voice within themselves and others.
Kelso Museum Self-guided Tours
Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology, Long Hall – 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Ministry in the Middle: Spirituality for Sustaining a Life of Ministry
Knox Room, Long Hall – 10:20-11:10 a.m.
The Rev. L. Roger Owens, Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality and Ministry
Just as a person goes through midlife, so ministers can find themselves in the middle of ministry facing questions about God, frustration, boredom, and whether this is what we’re really supposed to be doing. In this session, Roger Owens will present insights he gleaned while writing his most recent book, Threshold of Discovery: A Field Guide to Spirituality in Midlife, applying them to the life of ministry to help all who serve persevere and flourish in ministry. Books will be available for purchase.
Worship Service
Hicks Chapel – 11:30 a.m.
The Rev. Dr. William Gibson McCoy ‘86/’07 – Distinguished Alumnus in Pastoral Ministry – Preaching
Lunch
Food Trucks, Driveway in the front of Long Hall – 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Mission Mahi – Fish, shrimp, and chicken tacos; fries; salads; and more
Mr. Bulgogi – Subs, rice, dumplings, kimchi, and bulgogi (Korean barbecue)
Library Tours
Barbour Library – 1:00-1:30 p.m.
Pre-registration required.
Presentations by Recipients of the Distinguished Alumnae/i and the Fred McFeely Rogers Award for Creative Ministry
Knox Room, Long Hall – 2:15-3:15 p.m.
“Pressing on Toward the Goal, Centered In Christ”
Moderated by Alumnae/i Council Member
Each Participant will present for 15 minutes followed by a time for questions and answers.
The Rev. Carey Jo Johnston ‘03 – Distinguished Alumna in Missions – Literacy & Evangelism International
The Rev. Dr. John E. White ‘82/’09 – Distinguished Alumnus in Specialized Ministry – Dean of Student Life and Vice President for Student Relations, Princeton Theological Seminary
The Rev. Kellie D. Wild ‘09 – Fred McFeeley Rogers Award for Creative Ministry – IMPACTS Program Director, East End Cooperative Ministry
Faith and Racism
Knox Room, Long Hall – 3:30-4:15 p.m.
The Rev. James Foster Reese ’49
Born in 1924, James Reese is a native of Harrodsburg, Ky. He holds a bachelor’s from Knoxville College, an M.Div. from Pittsburgh Seminary, and a master of education in religious education from the University of Pittsburgh. He received an honorary doctor of divinity from Knoxville College and a Distinguished Alumnnus Award for Excellence in Specialized Ministry from PTS. Reese is also a recipient of the Edler G. Hawkins Award (National Black Presbyterian Caucus), the Lucy Craft Laney Award (Black Presbyterian Women’s Association), and the Maggie Kuhn Award (Presbyterian Senior Services). He has served in many capacities throughout his career: pastor/professor of homiletics in Kenya, Christian education consultant for the Synod of Catawba in Charlotte, N.C., director of the Racial Ethnic Ministry Unit of the PC(USA), interim executive presbyter for the Presbyteries of New York City, Detroit, and Newark, and at the age of 93 he served as a supply pastor.
Library Tours
Barbour Library – 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Pre-registration required.
Wine and Cheese Reception with a Mission Project
Rotunda, Long Hall – 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Enjoy your wine and cheese while taking a few minutes to help make a fleece blanket to donate to a local mission agency.
Pictures for the Classes of 1969, 1979, 1994 and Spouses; Distinguished Alumnae/i and Families; The Fred McFeely Rogers Award Alum and Family
McNaugher Lounge, McNaugher Hall – 5:20 p.m.
Please be prompt.
Seating for Alumnae/i Banquet
Kadel Dining Room, McNaugher Hall – 5:45-6:00 p.m.
Alumnae/i Banquet
Kadel Dining Room, McNaugher Hall – 6:00 p.m.
$20/per person. See reservation form for details.
Friday, April 26
Continental Breakfast
Basfield Dining Room (inside Kadel Dining Room), McNaugher Hall
8:00-10:00 a.m.
