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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
March 2002 |
Letter spotlight:
U of Indy, proud to be a UM university!
By Ron Wilks and Mark Weigand
RE: Commentary, January issue, "United Methodist universities are not what they used to be."
Riley Case's commentary presents an excellent opportunity to provide another perspective and add to the conversation.
Having been raised as United Methodist "PKs," the Church has helped shape who we are today and the roles we serve at U. of I. as Vice President for Enrollment and Director of Admissions. Both of us were impacted by U. of I.'s Summer Representative Outreach Program where students from the University have been meeting with students in UM churches throughout the state for over 30 years.
Of the past three presidents, two were UM ministers. Currently, President Jerry Israel is serving his 28th year as a faculty member or administrator at a United Methodist institution and has held many leadership roles within the Church. Additionally, current trustee membership includes many UMs, including Bishop Woodie W. White and his executive assistant, the Rev. James Jones.
On campus, students quickly discover a variety of opportunities for spiritual growth including worship services, Bible studies, retreats and service projects -- all coordinated under the leadership of a UM chaplain.
In the past few years, three exciting new programs have been established -- all relating to the mission of the Church and designed to prepare students to "serve a greater world." Through a grant from the Lilly Foundation, the University created the ecumenical Lantz Center for Christian Vocations to reach students who desire to integrate their self-understanding as Christians with their vocational choice.
More recently, the University began its "IN-Conversation" program, which is a series of bi-annual meetings between members of the University and leaders from the North and South Annual Conferences for the purpose of determining how we can enhance our church-university relationship. One of the early results of "IN-Conversation" is a plan for the university to develop a Youth Ministries program.
Finally, this past fall the University obtained another grant from the Lilly Foundation for the formation of a new "Crossings Project" designed to provide more opportunities for members of the university community to lay claim to our heritage as a United Methodist university. Part of the "Crossings Project" includes a new $3,000 UMYF Leadership Grant that will be awarded to six students per year who provide significant leadership in their local church, district, and/or conference youth ministries.
The University of Indianapolis stands ready to further the conversation on how we can continue to work with the leadership of the United Methodist Church in ways, which can strengthen our long-standing relationship. The United Methodist cross and flame prominently displayed outside of the new Schwitzer Student Center serves as a symbol to all students that attend the university, regardless of their backgrounds, that this United Methodist university serves to "Open Minds, Open Hearts, and Open Doors."
Mark Wiegand is in his 22nd year of employment at the U. of I. where he graduated in 1978. His father, Tom Weigand, is a retired elder in the North Indiana Conference. Ron Wilks is completing his tenth year working in admissions. He graduated from the U. of I. in 1988 and served as a Summer Representative visiting UM Churches while he was a student. His father, Don Wilks, is a retired elder in the North Conference.
Last updated on 01/14/2004