Cynthia M. Campbell Honored with Presidential Portrait
05-01-2014
Earlier this spring, McCormick held a special ceremony to unveil a portrait of President Emerita, Cynthia M. Campbell. Rev. Dr. Campbell served for 16 years as McCormick's ninth president, and first woman president.
“Cynthia’s ministry inspired excellence in generations of church leaders,” says McCormick’s President, Frank Yamada. “Because of her witness and leadership, the church is in a much stronger place, and men and women are in better position to shape the future into which we are headed.”
Indeed, Dr. Campbell's appointment paved the way for more women and people of color to serve as church leaders, including President Yamada, McCormick's tenth president and first Asian-American president of a PC(USA) seminary.
The celebration began with a reception that invited back former trustees, donors, and faculty members who had worked closely with Dr. Campbell during her tenure. The program included Dr. Ken Sawyer, professor of church history, who presented a retrospective of McCormick's leaders and founders, highlighting Rev. Dr. Campbell's vital role in McCormick's history.
"Her influence is still very much present. Her commitment to and love for McCormick Theological Seminary ... will be part of this extraordinary institution for all the years ahead." says Rev. John M. Buchanan, Pastor Emeritus of Fourth Presbyterian Church and McCormick Life Trustee.
During the ceremony, board chair, Rev. Dr. Deborah Block noted Rev. Dr. Campbell's contribution to McCormick's growth and enhanced reputation over her years of service.
The event closed with a dinner for McCormick's current Board of Trustees, Rev. Dr. Campbell and her husband, Rev. Dr. Fred Holper. Rev. Dr. Campbell now is the pastor and head of staff at Highland Presbyterian Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
About McCormick Theological Seminary
McCormick is one of 12 schools related to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is an accredited member of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) and is affiliated with the University of Chicago, the Hyde Park Cluster of Theological Schools and the Association of Chicago Theological Schools (ACTS). As one of the nation’s most respected seminaries, it celebrates and prepares women and men from all denominations and backgrounds for Christian ministry and service in the year 2040 and beyond, advancing a model of education that is cross-cultural, urban, Reformed and ecumenical.
