Aaron Smith (2007) received his MDiv degree from the University of Chicago at the 524th Convocation on August 28, 2015. He is currently the Director of Employer Services for the Pension Fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and also leads the Evangelism ministry at Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis. He is pictured here at the Divinity School graduation celebration with his mother.

After teaching children in urban schools in Chicago for several years, Jordan Berry (2005) is returning to the University of Chicago this fall to study social work (MA in Social Service Administration). She and Current House Scholar Keri Anderson will be classmates in the degree program; Keri is pursuing the joint MDiv/MA in SSA degree program.

Congratulations to Matt Rosen (2003) and Della Hoffman on the birth of their son, Everett John William Rosen. He was born on August 24th at 9:32am, weighed 6 lbs 14 oz, and was 20 inches long. Everyone is happy, healthy and well.

Katy McFall (1988) became Director of Annual Giving Programs at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota in August 2015.

Former resident Wallace Bubar has been called as senior minister of Central Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. He previously served Overbrook Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Congratulations and best wishes to Wallace, Gabrielle, and their daughters.

We extend sympathy to Clyde Curry Smith (1951) on the death of his wife, Ellen Marie Christine Smith, on July 21, 2015. She was 84. Ellen was born on April 16, 1931, in Lakewood, Ohio, to a Danish immigrant family. She was educated at Bowling Green State University, Ohio, receiving the Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1953, following which, on June 13, she married Clyde Curry Smith of Hamilton, Ohio, then a student in the Divinity School of the University of Chicago. Her interest in healthcare and her volunteer involvements, beginning in 1971 with the City of River Falls Hospital Committee, led to the integration of two old units into one. She continued to volunteer and offer leadership to various agencies. In 1983, she received the Harold Ristow Award for Outstanding Volunteer on Western Wisconsin Health Systems Agency Board. Ellen is survived by Clyde Curry Smith, her husband; her son and his wife and their three children; and her daughter and her husband and their four children. Read the full obituary here.

McKinna Daugherty (2010) has been named the minister of Altoona Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Altoona, Iowa, a growing suburb northeast of Des Moines. She began serving there on May 1. A formal pastoral installation service is planned for Sunday, August 30th during the 10:15am service. Upper Midwest Regional Minister, Rev. Bill Spangler-Dunning, will be preaching.

We are saddened to learn of the death of R. Douglas Spangler (1964) and extend sympathy to his wife, Katie Spangler. He died June 16, 2015 in California. In 1964, Doug entered the University of Chicago as a Disciples Divinity House Scholar where he earned a BD degree. Later, he completed a Master's degree in counseling. Katie, his wife of 46 years, reflected that “His call to ministry focused on helping parents, particularly fathers, build healthy relationships. He did this one on one, through his writing, with his TV and radio shows, by counseling, teaching classes and through creating school district wide programs and resources.” Beginning in 1973, his writing appeared in newspapers, national and regional magazines, and other publications. From 1977-1985, he wrote a monthly column “Frankly for Fathers” in American Baby Magazine. He wrote two books, Fatherhood: An Owner’s Manual, For Fathers of children from birth to age five (1994), and Meditations for the New Father (2013). You can read his blog posts at fathertalk.wordpress.com. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Katie Spangler, and by two children, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren.

Thandiwe (Gobledale) Dale-Ferguson (2009) became Associate Minister of Cairn Christian Church in Lafayette, Colorado, in July. Her installation service is planned for September 6. Thandiwe and Darryl Dale-Ferguson (former resident), who is writing his PhD dissertation in religious ethics at the Divinity School, are already enjoying hiking in the Boulder area.

Brandon Cline (1999) and Patricia Duncan (1999) and their two daughters are moving to Fort Worth, Texas, in July. Tish has been appointed Assistant Professor of Religion (New Testament and Early Christianity) at Texas Christian University (TCU) and Brandon has been named Senior Major Gifts Officer at Brite Divinity School, TCU. Congratulations!