News of Alums & Friends

Texas Christian University Press has published Preaching and Teaching: The Collected Writings of Paul G. Wassenich, edited by Linda Pilcher Wassenich. The late Paul Wassenich (1936) held the Bible Chair at the University of Texas-Austin, helped establish University Christian Church in Austin, and became a beloved professor at TCU.
Daisy Machado (1989), Professor of Church History at Union Theological Seminary, was honored with the AAR’s American Lectureship on the History of Religion, for which she delivered four lectures.

MDiv alumna Laura Jean Torgerson (2002) successfully defended her PhD dissertation at the Graduate Theological Union. It considers Nicaraguan Pentecostal Biblical Interpretation.

Congratulations to 2021 MDiv graduate Aneesah Ettress (2019) who was ordained on June 26th by the Central Rocky Mountain Region at Evergreen Christian Church, Colorado. Jack Veatch (2017) and Joan Bell-Haynes (1995; trustee) presided, and Yvonne Gilmore (2001) preached.
Aneesah also became the Academic Engagement Coordinator in the Feitler Center for Academic Inquiry at the University of Chicago's Smart Museum of Art.

Chris Dorsey (2001), formerly president of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been called as the next president of Disciples Home Missions
Ayanna Johnson Watkins (2000) gave remarks in the Chapel of the Holy Grail at the Alums and Friends Gathering in June of 2022. Titled "Elbows Deep," Ayanna asked "How, in the midst of this suffering, can we still find goodness, joy, hope, life?"
Yvonne Gilmore (2001) gave the convocation remarks, titled "Extending Exodus" to close DDH's 127th academic year. Yvonne exhorted the graduates to re-read religion and "make the exodus movement legible."
Andrew Langford (2007) was ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament in the ELCA on May 21. He serves Emmaus Lutheran Church in Eugene, Oregon, with spouse Rachel Langford.

Visiting Scholar Kimberly Redding spoke on April 25 about her current research on Japanese Americans in Chicago in the post World War II period, "One more heave"...: Chicago's United Methodist Ministries and Japanese Americans. She is Associate Professor of History at Carroll University---and a DDH resident for 2021-22. DDH is grateful for the many gifts and graces she brings to the community.
Doug Collins (2013) is a 2022 recipient of Eureka College’s Outstanding New Alumni award. He is the Senior Minister of First Christian Church in Tacoma, Washington.