In September, Barbara and Marshall Dunn (1965) were in southern Africa for a two week safari in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, and a week in Capetown. They report, "The animals and scenery were spectacular and exciting, with sunsets and night skies unlike any we see here. We saw baby lions nursing, baby elephants crossing water with trunks for snorkels, giraffes gracefully bending to drink, and on and on."

Our condolences to David Hall (1989) upon the death of his father, Gary Hall, in September. A memorial service was held in San Francisco, California, on October 13.

House Scholar Tish Duncan will be a Marty Center Junior Fellow for the 2012-12 academic year. A PhD candidate in Bible, she is writing her dissertation on Novel History: Scriptural Exegesis in the Pseudo-Clementine Homilies. Former House resident Sam Boyd is also a Marty Center Junior Fellow this year; his dissertation explores literary "reuse" and interaction among Ancient Near Eastern cultures in the Hebrew Bible.

Beau Underwood (2006) has announced his engagement to Casey Osterkamp. They are planning a July 27, 2013, wedding in Ohio. Congratulations to them both!

Our condolences to Santiago Piñón (1998) and his family upon the death of his mother on September 25 in New Mexico. She was suffering from the last stages of Alzheimer's disease.

House Scholar Brandon Cline is now serving as the Area Assistant for Pedagogical Initiatives at the Divinity School. He has helped to launch an extensive website on the new Craft of Teaching Program and is coordinating its initiatives.

 Look for a new book of prayers by Holly McKissick (trustee), You are Blessed: Prayers for checkout lines, ice cream, and other simple moments, available from Hallmark.

Verity Jones (trustee) has been named the Executive Director of the new Center for Pastoral Excellence at Christian Theological Seminary, which was launched with an initial $8 million grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. The Center's first initiatives are CTS's Discipleship Project and the New Media Project, which moves with Ms. Jones from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. More on Verity Jones here, and see CTS President Matt Myer Boulton's announcement here.

Congratulations to June graduate Andrew Packman (2009), who was ordained on August 19 at First Christian Church, Centralia, Illinois. Michael Karunas (1995), Senior Minister of Central Christian Church, Decatur, Illinois, preached. Dean Kris Culp (1982), Divinity School Director of Ministry Studies Cynthia Lindner (1978), House Scholar Thandiwe Gobledale, and former resident Jeff Lehn also participated.

Rebecca Anderson (2007) was one of four storytellers who inaugurated 2nd Story's 2012-2013 season with "Up, Up, and Away: Stories of Busting Out" on September 17 in Chicago. The Chicago-based organization, 2nd Story, is a collective of story-makers and story-tellers. Download and listen to a podcast of her story, "Lost and Found," here.