Do you have a personal or ministry update? Have you written a book, celebrated an anniversary, received an award or celebrated a new appointment? Complete the submission form on this page to share your news with former classmates through the web and in the alumni/ae section of the Seminary’s Annual Report.*
*United reserves the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.
Keith Adkins published his nineteenth book, God’s Bridge Over a Broken World: A Memoir (2025). The first 18 can be found at www.keithhadkins.com.
Magrey DeVegam published Questions That Jesus Asked: A Six-Week Study in the Gospels (Abingdon Press, 2023). This book explores six of the most provocative questions asked by Jesus.
Allyson D. N. Abrams, ’00, ’05 was elevated to Bishop. She is also serving as President of the Mental Health Board for the United Church of Christ, Vice Chair of New Church Development with Central Atlantic Conference, and as a senior pastor.
Charlene Hendricks has written two books: Making it After Breaking It: Living a Great Life When Single…Again (Outskirts Press, 2021) and Times of Refreshing (Outskirts Press, 2021).
Jonathan C. Augustine, a former United Trustee, has been named senior pastor of Big Bethel AME Church, the oldest Black church in Atlanta, GA. He also serves as a member of the inaugural faculty at the Hampton University School of Religion. Dr. Augustine is an accomplished author, sought-after speaker, and internationally recognized academic leader. His most recent book is When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit (Fortress Press, 2023).
Dorothea James has adapted her dissertation into three additional published works: It’s About Relationships: How to Fix Broken Relationships (Xulon Press, 2024), Dayna Shae’s Big Dreams (Xulon Press, 2025), and Word Snacks for the Soul: 40 Devos in 100 Words or Less (Xulon Press, 2025), along with a companion study guide.
James Anthony Morris was elected President of the Greater Texarkana Branch of the NAACP.
Yvette Richards ’19, ’23 was appointed to serve on the Pan-Methodist Commission 2024-2028 and as Chair of the Missouri Conference Nominations Committee 2024-2028.
Ayad Attia recently moved to Dearborn, Michigan, the most condensed city of Arabs, for his missionary work through Pioneer Missions.
Amanda Hendricks is the new Associate Director of the Sharing Faith Initiative led by Rev. Dr. Carlyn Helsel of Austin Seminary and supported by grants from Lilly Endowment Inc. This program aims to equip Christians of all ages to inspire faith in others. It offers resources and learning opportunities for congregations, focusing on two projects: the Faithful Preaching Project and Children’s Sermons by Children.
John Loeser is now serving three charges in the Upper New York Annual Conference — Boston: Churchill Memorial, Colden, and Holland United Methodist churches.
Justin Shamell published 40 Years in the Wilderness: How the Church Can Support Those with HIV/AIDS (Judson Press, 2025).
Rachel Latimer celebrated her ordination as UMC deacon in June 2024.
L’Tanya Johnson published a book titled Goodbye Enterprise (2025).
Tracie Barret is serving All Souls Miami UU as senior associate minister. In June 2025, she was elected to the UUA Commission on Appraisal.
Shelly Sims published The Empowerment Of African American Males in The Martin Luther King Jr Beloved Community (Palmetto Publishing, 2025).
Kelly R. McCuaig published Good Guilt: Reclaim the Treasure of Hope at the Heart of a Repentant Life (Invite Ministries, 2025).
Marlon Mack, Sr. was appointed Vice President of President-At-Large of the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Indiana, Inc.
Rev. Paul ’65 and Mrs. Judy Zieber celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on August 20, 2025.
Steven Bahrt ’99, Garrett, IN
Patricia Havis ’14, Chicago, IL
Wade Jackson ’24, Wilbraham, MA
Mark Liller ’92, Altoona, PA
Dayton Mix ’99, Punxsutawney, PA
Vance Ross ’15, Atlanta, GA
Douglas Sonnenberg ’93, Monroe, OH
Thomas Topar ’01, Elwood City, PA
Karen Walker-McClure ’18, Chicago, IL
John Schlicher ’99, Beavercreek, OH
Mitchell Gieselman ’81, Newburgh, IN
Michael Warschauer ’24, Warsaw, OH
David Beckett ’82, Bend, OR
Stever Bahrt ’99, North Manchester, Indiana
Doak Mansfield ’76, Tampa, FL
Our Prayers are with the families of:
Sue Angerman ’81, who died Jan. 30, 2017. She was a resident of Ann Arbor, MI.
Bryce Armstrong ’55, who died Jan. 13, 2017. He was a resident of Austin, TX.
Robert Barnard ’70, who died Aug. 7, 2017. He was a resident of Liberty, IN.
Robert Barnes ’59, who died Nov. 12, 2016. He was a resident of Kingfield, ME.
Doris Batdorf, who died Jan. 23, 2017. She was the wife of alumnus Irvin Batdorf and a resident of Palmyra, PA.
Kathleen Boston, Admissions Associate for United, who died June 25, 2017. She was a resident of New Lebanon, OH.
Grace Clay ’03, who died Oct. 15, 2017. She was a resident of Farmington Hills, MI.
Edgar Conrad ’68, who died April 15, 2017. He was a resident of Corinda, QLD.
James Corbett ’66, who died April 7, 2017. He was a resident of Mount Gretna, PA.
Michael Donnally ’90, who died Aug. 17, 2017. He was a resident of Columbus, OH.
Clinton Dorsey ’70, who died Aug. 26, 2017. He was a resident of Troy, OH.
Gerald Dotson ’74, who died Feb. 21, 2017. He was a resident of Summersville, WV.
Sharon Fyte ’97, who died June 29, 2017. She was a resident of Poplar Bluff, MO.
Arthur Geyh ’76, who died Dec. 24, 2016. He was a resident of Tiffin, OH.
Elizabeth Glick-Rieman ’74, who died May 13, 2017. She was a resident of Richmond, CA.
Kenneth Hatt, friend of United, who died Aug 24, 2017. He was a resident of Hershey, PA.
Jack Hemskey ’59, who died Dec. 11, 2016. He was a resident of Fishersville, VA.
Howard Hershberger ’59, who died Jan. 14, 2017. He was a resident of Saint Marys, OH.
Earl Jefferson ’96, who died June 10, 2017. He was a resident of Philadelphia, PA.
Joan Kahn-Schneider ’81, who died June 18, 2017. He was a resident of Cincinnati, OH.
John Knecht ’45, who died Aug. 9, 2017. He was a resident of North Manchester, IN.
Harold Landwehr ’76, who died Dec. 27, 2016. He was a resident of Marion, IL.
Felton Edwin, friend of United, who died Feb. 27, 2017. He was a resident of New York, NY.
Susan Ellen Nowicki ’83, who died Jan. 9, 2017. She was a resident of Buffalo, NY.
Kathy O’Donnell ’07, who died March 18, 2017. She was a resident of Piqua, OH.
Marvin Polson ’54, who died June 25, 2017. He was a resident of Perkins, OK.
William Quick, friend of United, who died Sept. 19, 2017. He was a resident of Durham, NC.
Donald Ramsey ’82, who died Jan. 29, 2017. He was a resident of Montpelier, OH.
Donald Ricard ’65, who died April 17, 2017. He was a resident of Saint Marys, OH.
Cleo Schmenk ’83, who died June 15, 2017. He was a resident of Melbourne, FL.
Eileen J Schmid, who died Sept. 11, 2016. She was the wife of William L. Schmid ’65 and a resident of York, PA.
Karen Shepler ’83, who died March 10, 2017. She was a resident of Waterville, OH.
Richard Shields ’68, who died Nov. 3, 2016. He was a resident of Hollidaysburg, PA.
Marjorie Smith, friend of United, who died April 14, 2017. She was a resident of Springboro, OH.
Roy Wigal ’60, who died June 6, 2017. He was a resident of Lebanon, OH.
Dr. Emma J. Justes
Aug. 31, 1941–Jan. 31, 2017
Dr. Emma J. Justes died on Jan. 31, 2017. She had served as Distinguished Professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling in the Emma Toussant Chair in Pastoral Theology at United since 2007. Dr. Justes was a popular teacher, beloved and respected by students and colleagues.
She led by example, from becoming the first woman ordained in the American Baptist Church USA and the first female PhD candidate in pastoral theology at Princeton Theological Seminary to playing a key role in the founding of the clinical pastoral education movement. She was the author of Please Don’t Tell: What to Do with the Secrets People Share (Abingdon 2013) and Hearing Beyond the Words: How to Become a Listening Pastor (Abingdon 2006).
Dr. Justes loved to travel, especially in South Africa, where she had the opportunity to teach. Her most treasured role was being mother to her two sons, Kito and James (Micah).
Rev. Dr. Newell Wert
Oct. 10, 1926– May 25, 2017
Rev. Dr. Newell Wert passed away on May 25, 2017. Rev. Dr. Wert was United’s longest-serving academic dean. At the time of his retirement in 1992, he had been in service to the Church for more than 30 years through his work at United, with 29 of those years as Dean of the Faculty. His commitment to United went back to his time as a student of Evangelical School of Theology, a precursor of United Theological Seminary. He graduated in 1950 with a Master of Divinity and was honored as United’s 1992 Distinguished Alumnus.
Rev. Dr. Wert was preceded in death by his wife Donna, former Administrative Assistant to the Dean and Registrar for the Seminary, and his son Newell J. Wert Jr. He is survived by his daughter Susan Wert (James Mossman), step-children Kevin (Jill) Hitt, Michael (Jennifer) Olin-Hitt and Lisa (Don) Hartman and grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. John R. Knecht
Oct. 30, 1920–Aug. 9, 2017
Rev. Dr. John R. Knecht, President Emeritus of United Theological Seminary, passed away on Aug. 9, 2017. Dr. Knecht served as President of United from 1965 to 1985, overseeing the development of the Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program and the establishment of the Center for Evangelical United Brethren Heritage, among other ground-breaking initiatives in theological education.
Prior to his tenure at United, Dr. Knecht served as a pastor in Indiana and as Executive Secretary of the Board of Evangelism of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. He held a Master of Arts from Yale University and a Master of Divinity from Bonebrake Theological Seminary, a precursor to United Theological Seminary.
Dr. Knecht is survived by wife Marjorie and their children Catherine, Mark, Luke and Matthew. United will share service arrangements when they become available.
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