Leech prize encourages a new generation of McCormick scholars

06-07-2021

Rev. S. Kim Leech, B.D.* ’66, D.Min.’81, is grateful for McCormick’s distinctive impact on his ministry, and he is certain that what sets McCormick apart from other seminaries is important to name, cultivate, and support. Rev. Leech and his wife, Mae, have made substantial contributions to McCormick through generous scholarship funds for incoming students, and his own seminary experience led them to provide funds for a new academic prize designed to encourage current students.

When recalling the faculty of his own seminary days, Rev. Leech said his education shaped him for ministry. Rev. Leech noted the centrality of the Bible field, when “the Old Testament was king in that era,” under the leadership of Ted Campbell and Bob Boling, along with colleagues George Knight and the wonderful teacher of New Testament, Floyd Filson. Rev. Leech remembers Ted Campbell’s enabling, empowering, but unmistakably authoritative teaching method. “I took Hebrew with Professor Campbell,” Rev. Leech recalled. “During his first class he said, ‘you will be reading out of the Hebrew Bible by Thanksgiving.’” Rev. Leech and his fellow students surprised themselves in fulfilling that prophecy!

The impact of an excellent faculty shows in Rev. Leech’s recollections of the sheer brilliance and insight of Brian Gerrish’s lectures in historical theology, the life lessons of John Burkhart’s thinking theologically with students about difficult issues, and the powerful truths of Professor Lou Briner. He was, said Rev. Leech, “a great healer of the students. In his pastoral care courses, he taught us to listen, and not to be the ‘answer person’ for everyone. Briner taught us the importance of presence and listening and caring.”

Likewise, the preaching professor Herbert King’s remarkable presence with students moved Rev. Leech. “He told us how to get down when the pain is so great.,” Rev. Leech said. “Where do you go in the Bible? He would share his [own] pain and urged us to go to Jeremiah. He taught us if we didn’t preach with passion [then] we didn’t belong in the pulpit.”

When looking for deeper training after years in ministry, Rev. Leech entered McCormick’s D.Min. program, then under the direction of Dr. Bob Worley. Rev. Leech noted the skill Dr. Worley showed in administering a large program but still being present to students. “Paul Dietrich’s lessons and analysis were immediately useful,” said Rev. Leech and he remembered and honored Rev. Dr. Hugh Halverstadt’s lasting legacy in helping congregations through conflict and toward health.

During Rev. Leech’s seminary days, he won an academic prize for an essay. Though a modest prize, he was encouraged and heartened to continue. This experience prompted Rev. Leech and his wife, Mae, to provide for the Leech Award in Church History, available for the first time this year. Under the supervision of the Church History faculty, this first Leech Award winner will join a longer conversation about the power of education in the service of ministry, and the continuing ties that connect generations of students, staff, faculty, and graduates to McCormick. Written by Dr. Ken Sawyer, professor of Church History

*Equivalent to today’s Master of Divinity degree

Rev. S. Kim Leech, right, and his wife, Mae Leech

Rev. Leech’s seminary experience has led him and his wife to provide funds for a new academic prize for McCormick students.