A record 74 faculty and staff members receive awards
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04/08/10
A convocation was held Thursday, April 8, at Fuller's Pasadena campus to honor faculty and staff for their years of service to the seminary. The theme for the ceremony, “Called by Name,” was based on Fuller’s campuswide theme for the current academic year, from Isaiah 43:1—“I have called you by name, you are mine.”
We must take time to recognize individuals for their hard work at the seminary, which is often carried out behind the scenes, President Richard J. Mouw said in his opening exhortation. “The Lord knows each of us by name,” he said, “and it is important for us at Fuller, as we serve the Lord together, to ‘name names’ on occasion as well.”
A total of 74 employees received awards, the largest number of recipients in Fuller’s history. In fact, noted Dr. Mouw, the staff and faculty members being recognized at the convocation have dedicated themselves to the seminary, collectively, “for a grand total of 1,035 years!”
Earning an award for an extraordinary 55 years of service was Daniel Fuller, professor emeritus of hermeneutics and son of seminary founder Charles E. Fuller. Frederic W. Bush, professor emeritus of Old Testament, was recognized for his 45 years with Fuller.
Charles H. Kraft, senior professor of anthropology and intercultural communication, and H. Newton Malony, senior professor of psychology, were each recognized for 40 years of service. William E. Pannell, senior professor of preaching, and Cecil “Mel” Robeck Jr., professor of church history and ecumenics, were each given awards for their 35 years.
Awards for 30 years of service were given to Bert Jacklitch, director of Alumni/ae and Church Relations; Paul Pierson, dean emeritus and senior professor of history and Latin American studies; and Richard Gorsuch, senior professor of psychology.
The Dolores Loeding Service Award, given to staff members who have served Fuller for 25 years, was given to Mirna Patricia Mendez, director of employee benefits, and Randy Smith, facilities director. The award is named for Dolores Loeding, who served the seminary’s faculty from 1947 until her retirement in 1992.
Faculty members recognized for 25 years of service were Richard Erickson, associate professor of New Testament; Winston Gooden, dean of the School of Psychology; Julie Gorman, professor of Christian formation and discipleship; Arthur Patzia, senior professor of New Testament; and Siang-Yang Tan, professor of psychology.
A number of other faculty and staff were also granted awards for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years of service to Fuller.
For the first time, the awards convocation was streamed live to Fuller’s regional campuses, so that members of the seminary community not located on the Pasadena campus could participate.
For a list of all award recipients, click here.