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Midwestern’s trustees accept $116,000 from Texas conservatives


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (BP)–Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary trustees accepted a $116,000 gift from the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Texas Convention during their Oct. 22-24 meeting in Kansas City, Mo. Trustees also unanimously approved both the negotiation process to purchase land adjacent to the campus and the appointment of Malcolm Yarnell as dean of the faculty.

SBCT Executive Director Jim Richards presented the gift to Midwestern President Phil Roberts Oct. 23. Richards said the gift is intended to help the seminary replace funds it lost when the Baptist General Convention of Texas defunded the six Southern Baptist seminaries. Midwestern previously received $490,000 a year in funds from the BGCT.

Trustees approved the negotiation process to purchase 30 acres and an office building adjacent to the campus previously owned by Farmland, Inc. The board also appointed a subcommittee to study the matter and to work with Roberts in the negotiations.

The seminary’s vice president for academic affairs, Malcolm Yarnell, received unanimous approval as dean of the faculty and as associate professor of historical theology. Yarnell previously taught theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Several new staff and faculty members were introduced to and approved by the trustees: Thomas Johnston, professor of evangelism; Radu Gheorghita, scholar in residence; Michael Wilson, vice president of institutional advancement; Alan Branch, vice president for student development; and Gary Grunick, business manager.

Trustees also heard reports on:

— The Vivion Farm house renovation. Volunteers upgraded the home’s electrical wiring in September and carpet has been donated for the entire house. The home, a historical icon in the north Kansas City area for decades, is being restored to be an on-campus guest house and reception facility.

— Accreditation. The seminary is undergoing its regular accreditation review by the Association of Theological Schools. A self-study is set to be presented to the ATS in the fall of 2002.

— Campus housing. The board approved a motion to increase the minimum qualification for student housing from six to nine hours per semester.

The trustees’ next meeting will be March 11-12.
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    About the Author

  • Stacey Hamby