Alumni Council

The purposes of the Divinity School Alumni Association are to advance the cause of theological education, to promote the interests of the school, to encourage and promote gifts, bequests, and donations for the support and endowment of the school, and to promote a spirit of cordiality, mutual acquaintance and good fellowship among its members.

This association was inaugurated in 1934, the eighth year of the school of Religion of Duke University. It has been continuous in its organization, purposes, and membership since that time. The school of Religion became the Divinity school in 1940.

All those who have been students in Duke Divinity School for at least two semesters of work for a degree shall be members of the association following the graduation of their class. The association meets annually. Its programs and projects are directed by the officers and members of the National Executive Council.

The Divinity School Alumni Association sponsors the following programs each year: class reunions, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award, regional meetings across the United States, a banquet for the graduating class, the ANSR program (Alumni Network for Student Recruitment), and occasional events for current students. The council has regular and significant input with continuing education, development (especially the Divinity School Annual Fund), admissions, and publications (especially Divinity magazine).

National Alumni Council

(Updated 01/07)
2006-2007

The Reverend Scott M. Rimer, D’93 (Kimberlie) 2009
President
Minister, West End United Methodist Church
624 Chandler Harper Drive
Portsmouth, VA 23701
e-mail surfinrev@aol.com
O (757) 397-7815
H (757) 488-4208
F (757) 397-9174 (call first)

The Reverend Dr. James R. “Jim” Bailes, D’74 (Diane) 2010
Minister, Kern Memorial United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge TN
1235 Saybrook Lane
Knoxville, TN 37923-2064
e-mail jdbailes@comcast.net
O (865) 483-5273
H (865) 692-9658
F (865) 483-0192

The Reverend Shane M. Benjamin, D’97 (Cheri) 2010
Minister, Asbury Temple United Methodist Church
441 Mayview Dr.
Creedmoor, NC 27522
e-mail shanebenjamin@aol.com
O (919) 688-4578
H (919) 529-1147

The Reverend David K. Bucey, D’76 (Barbara) 2008
President-Elect
Minister, Philippus United Church of Christ
4750 Chapel Ridge Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45223
e-mail dbucey@fuse.net
O (513) 535-2121
H (513) 542-5224

The Reverend Cyrus V. Helm, Jr.D’91 (Susan) 2008
Associate Minister, First United Methodist Church
10327 Holly Springs Drive
Houston, TX 77042-1529
e-mail cyhelm@aol.com
O (713) 458-4758
H (713) 780-4922

The Reverend Timothy E. Kimbrough, T’79, D’83 (Darlene) 2009
Rector, Church of the Holy Family (Episcopal)
207 Carol Street
Carrboro, NC 27510
e-mail timothy@chfnc.org
O (919) 942-3108
H (919) 929-6653

The Reverend R. Courtney Krueger, D’92 (Lea) 2011
Senior Minister, First Baptist Church
108 Kenneth Court
Pendleton, SC 29670
e-mail courtney@fbcpendleton.org
O (864) 646-3913
H (864) 646-6496

The Reverend Deborah A. McLeod, D’85 (Thom) 2009
Superintendent, South East District, Florida Conference UMC
6000 Maynada Street
Coral Gables, FL 33146
e-mail ds-se@flumc.org
O (305)445-9136
H (305)667-9968
F (305)442-0216

The Reverend Dr. Frank Joseph “Joe” Mitchell, D’53, G’62 (Norma) 2007
Minister and professor, retired from the Virginia Conference UMC
7 Vandora Place
Durham, NC 27705-5481
e-mail fjmitchell@earthlink.net
H (919) 402-0984

The Reverend G. Paul Phillips III, D’63 (Cynthia) 2011
Minister, retired from the North Carolina Conference UMC
3432 Cook Road
Mebane, NC 27302-9601
e-mail pphillips14@triad.rr.com
H (919) 304-3225

The Reverend Thomas C. Pietila, D’77 (Melinda) 2007
Minister, Central United Methodist Church
Post Office Box 87
Florence, SC 29503-0087
e-mail tpietila@centralmethodist.net
O (843) 662-3218
H (843) 661-0380

The Reverend Angela A. Pleasants, D’99 2007
Minister, Wingate United Methodist Church
Post Office Box 396
Wingate, NC 28174
e-mail revapleasants@yahoo.com
O (704) 233-4995
H (704)) 233-5215

The Reverend Vertie Powers, D’92 2010
Associate Conference Minister, ENCA Southern Conference, United Church of Christ
1305 Hanford Hills Road
Graham, NC 27253
e-mail vertiepowersenca@soc-ucc.org
O (336) 343-4066
H (336) 261-3648

The Reverend Won H. Un, D’89 (Diana) 2010
Minister, Highland Springs United Methodist Church
22 North Holly Avenue
Highland Springs, VA 23075-1451
e-mail revun@verizon.net
O (804) 737-1503
H (804) 323-5565
F (804) 737-1582

Ex Officio Members

The Reverend Sheila R. Cumbest, D’90 (Chris)
Director of Ministerial Services, Mississippi Conference, UMC 17735 John Cumbest Road
Moss Point, MS 39562
e-mail scumbest@mississippi-umc.org
O (601) 354-0515
H (228) 588-6646
F (601) 948-5981

Divinity School Representative to the Duke University Alumni Association Board

Assistant Dean of Students, Davidson College
1935 South Wendover Road
Charlotte, NC 28211-2141
e-mail lemarsic@davidson.edu
O (704) 894-2188
H (704) 364-4642
F (704) 892-2849<

Associate Dean for External Relations

The Reverend Dr. WesleyF. “Wes” Brown, D’76 (Jane)
Associate Dean
Duke Divinity School
Box 90966
Durham, NC 27708-0966
e-mail wbrown@div.duke.edu
O (919) 660-3456
H (919) 490-1339
F (919) 660-3405
Cell (919) 949-8091

Distinguished Alumni Award Committee for 2007: