The Dayton, OH seminary expands enrollment by 17% in the 2022-2023 academic year
Updated: March 2, 2023, 2:32 PM ET
DAYTON, Ohio, March 1, 2023 — Dr. Kent Millard, president of United Theological Seminary, announced this week that the Seminary has seen a 17% increase in enrollment in the 2022-2023 academic year. This increase is largely due to the establishment of five Houses of Study over the last two years. The largest of these is a Hispanic House of Study under the direction of Dr. Jorge Ochoa, with all classes taught by Spanish-speaking professors to Spanish-speaking students; currently, 49 new students from Mexico, Cuba, Columbia, Peru, Angola and the United States are completing courses online.
Other Houses of Study include: a Fresh Expressions House of Study led by Dr. Michael Beck, a Global Methodist House of Study led by Rev. Greg Stover, a Global Pentecostal House of Study led by Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns, and a Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship House of Study led by Bishop Lisa Weah.
“We are excited to see students responding to these Houses of Study and forming communities that will further equip them to be effective church leaders,” says President Millard. “We’re praying for God to use these programs to continue United’s mission of preparing faithful and fruitful Christian leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ.”
As United expands its offerings to meet the needs of pastors and church leaders, it is preparing to launch three new Houses of Study in the 2023-2024 academic year: a Korean House of Study led by Dr. Seok Jae Jeon, an African Methodist Episcopal Zion House of Study led by Bishop Eric Leake and a Global Lutheran House of Study led by Dr. Richard Blue, Dr. Tom Thorstad and Dr. Dan Landin. Interested persons can apply for these and any of the existing Houses of Study at united.edu/houses-of-study.
Dr. Millard expressed deep gratitude to Lilly Endowment Inc. for a grant through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative which enabled these Houses of Study to be established. The initiative provides support to theological schools seeking to become more effective in preparing church leaders for bringing revitalization to congregations.
Located in Dayton, Ohio, United serves a diverse student population, with African American students making up the largest percentage of its student body, 42% of 541 students.* A seminary of The United Methodist Church, United is an ecumenical community with 42% of its students United Methodist and 43 Christian denominations represented across the community.* United also has 77 international students from 21 different countries, and students from 36 states attending the seminary this year.
* Figure represents those who responded.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly, Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion and maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. The primary aim of its grantmaking in religion, which is national in scope, focuses on strengthening the leadership and vitality of Christian congregations in the United States. The Endowment also seeks to foster public understanding about religion and lift up in fair, accurate and balanced ways the contributions that people of all faiths and religious communities make to our greater civic well-being.
United Theological Seminary is a graduate professional school of The United Methodist Church. For more than 150 years, it has prepared men and women to become faithful and fruitful Christian leaders who make disciples of Jesus Christ. On-campus and online learning options provide access to master’s and doctoral theological degrees or continuing education.