Giving

The incredible generosity of Candler’s donors continues to strengthen the school, enabling us to better fulfill our mission of educating faithful and creative leaders for the church’s ministries in the world. You’ve already read of one high-impact gift from the Rollins family that will usher us into the next phase of this great school’s story. Allow me to share with you some other gifts that promise to sustain Candler’s people and programs for years to come. 

Honoring a Legacy

Lee Herring has made a gift to establish the Rebecca Redd Herring Endowment for Women in Pastoral Ministry in memory of his wife, who earned a master of divinity degree from Candler in 1995. After graduating, Rebecca Herring was appointed to Georgia’s Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, where she became the first female associate pastor in the church’s 150-year history.

The Rebecca Redd Herring Endowment for Women in Pastoral Ministry will provide stipends for United Methodist students in the master of divinity degree program who are preparing for ordained pastoral ministry; funds may be awarded to those from other denominations as well. The awards will be made through the Candler Advantage program, which extends students’ professional education and strengthens their practical skills for church leadership by immersing them in congregations for 10 weeks of full-time ministry.

“As important as Candler was to Rebecca, and as important as it was to her to support other women in ministry, I could think of no better way to honor her,” Lee Herring said.

Growing Student Scholarships

In May, Candler received a gift of nearly $700,000 from the estate of Mr. C. Milburn Purdy. Mr. Purdy was a member of Candler’s Committee of 100 for thirty-eight years. His estate gift will establish the C. Milburn and Nellie Grace Purdy Scholarship Endowment. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy were longtime members of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Atlanta.

Giving from the Start

In a wonderful example of sacrificial giving, Candler’s Senior Class raised more than $10,000 to support their new alma mater. Thanks to the campaign’s energetic leadership and tailored giving options, nearly three-quarters of graduating seniors chose to participate. Their spirit of “because I have been given much” is both inspiring and challenging! See the full story below.

Continuing the Momentum

Candler continues to make impressive strides toward reaching all of our goals related to Campaign Emory, Emory University’s $1.6 billion fund-raising endeavor that combines private support and Emory’s people, places, and programs to make a powerful contribution to the world. At this time, Candler continues to seek funds for the Erskine, Smith, Mosley Scholarship Endowment, the L. Bevel Jones Chair in the Practice of Ministry, and the Laney Legacy in Moral Leadership Endowment. Additionally, funds are needed to support Candler’s programs of Lifelong Learning, International Initiatives, Black Church Studies, Methodist Studies, Baptist Studies, Episcopal Studies, and student scholarships.

Candler’s students, the church, and the larger society benefit from the generosity of alumni and friends who care deeply about the positive transformation of the world. I encourage you to follow in the example of our graduating class: direct your gift toward an area that speaks to you and help Candler continue to prepare the highest caliber of Christian leaders and scholars—real people who make a real difference in the real world. 

Graduates Give in Record Numbers

Before receiving their diplomas on May 14, the Class of 2012 gave back—in a big way. 

The graduating class raised $10,386.51 for Candler through their senior class gift campaign. The class had a participation rate of 73 percent, the highest of any class in recent history.

“I believe in Candler and what it has to offer to future students, so deciding to give and encouraging my classmates to give was easy,” said Samantha Lewis, who served on the campaign committee.

“Giving back was important to me because someone invested in me. A scholarship made it possible for me to attend Candler, and it has been the chance of a lifetime,” she explained. “Helping others have the same advantages I’ve had is such a gift.” 

The majority of funds raised will be directed toward the Theology School Fund for Excellence, which commits every dollar received to student scholarships. However, for the first time, other funds will benefit from this year’s senior class gift as well, because students could choose how to allocate their individual gifts within the larger campaign.

“If students had strong passions about particular programs they’d participated in while at Candler, we found a way to direct their gift to that program,” said Lauren McCrary, assistant director of development, who offered oversight and guidance to the campaign committee.

To raise funds, the senior class held events ranging from a silent auction to a basketball game between faculty and graduating students. The campaign committee was co-chaired by MDiv student Tim Moore and MTS student Jung Won An. 

“The campaign was so successful because we have a great class,” said Lewis. “I know everyone says that, but for us, it’s really true. We have a bunch of people who truly care about Candler.”

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Mathew Pinson is currently reading Not Your Parents' Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship by J. Clif Christopher.