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
2009-2010
Duke University Divinity School
(Updated 10/09)
The Reverend Dr. J. Burton “ Burt” Palmer, Jr., D’90 (Shawn) 2012 President
Minister, Bear Creek United Methodist Church
16000 Rippling Water Drive
Houston, TX 77084
O: (281) 463-2330 x101
H: (281) 392-8903
F: (281) 463-2799
C: (832) 693-0012
e-mail: burt@bearcreekumc.org
The Reverend Dr. James R. “Jim” Bailes, D’74 (Diane) 2010 President Elect
Minister, Kern Memorial United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, TN
1840 Bombay Lane
Knoxville, TN 37932-4403
O: (865) 483-5273
H: (865) 692-9658
F: (865) 483-0192
e-mail: jdbailes@comcast.net
The Reverend G. Paul Phillips III, D’63 (Cynthia) 2011 Secretary
Minister, retired from the North Carolina Conference UMC
3432 Cook Road
Mebane, NC 27302-9601
H: (919) 304-3225
e-mail: pphillips14@triad.rr.com
The Reverend Shane M. Benjamin, D’97 (Cheri) 2010
Minister, Asbury Temple United Methodist Church, Durham, NC
441 Mayview Dr.
Creedmoor, NC 27522
O: (919) 688-4578
H: (919) 529-1147
e-mail: shanebenjamin@aol.com
The Reverend Harriet J. Bryan D’95 (DeWain Harris) 2014
Minister, Salem United Methodist Church
2269 Seven Mile Ferry Road
Clarksville, TN 37040-8017
O: (931) 645-2544
H: (931) 542-6487
e-mail: hjbryan@charter.net
The Reverend Dr. Robert B. “Bob” Bushong D’81 (Jeanne) 2014
Minister of Preaching, First United Methodist Church
125 N. Interlachen Avenue
Winter Park, FL 32789-3804
O: (407) 644-2906
H: (407) 644-3623
e-mail: bobb@fumcwp.org
The Reverend Lisa G. Fischbeck, T’77, D’91 (R. L. Bland) 2014
Vicar, The Episcopal Church of the Advocate
P.O. Box 9
Carrboro, NC 27510-0009
O: (919) 933-3321
e-mail: lisa.fischbeck@gmail.com
The Reverend David C. Hockett, D’94, D’99 (Kimberly) 2012
Minister, Milford Hills United Methodist Church
1601 Bellevue Road
Salisbury, NC 28144-2164
O: (704) 636-0471
H: (704) 636-5413
F: (704) 636-0304
e-mail: dhockett@carolina.rr.com
The Reverend E. Ross Kane, D’09 (Liz) 2014
Assistant to the Rector, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
228 South Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3797
O: (703) 549-3312 x19
C: (703) 599-7042
e-mail: e.ross.kane@gmail.com
The Reverend Dr. R. Courtney Krueger, D’92 (Lea) 2011
Senior Minister, First Baptist Church
108 Kenneth Court
Pendleton, SC 29670
O: (864) 646-3913
H: (864) 646-6496
e-mail: courtney@fbcpendleton.org
The Reverend Molly D. Morgan, D’90 (Melzer) 2012
Minister, retired from the Presbyterian Church USA
1607 Courtland Avenue
Reidsville, NC 27320
H: (336) 349-8252
e-mail: melzerm@bellsouth.net
The Reverend Steven C. Morton, D’83 (Joan) 2013
Minister, Hopewell United Methodist Church
361 N. Buck Road
Downingtown, PA 19335-1415
O: (610) 269-1545
H: (610) 269-0106
F: (610) 269-3355
e-mail: steve@hopewellumc.org
The Reverend R. David Ruth, D’03 (Eva) 2013
Minister, Williamsburg Presbyterian Church
512 Live Oak Avenue
Kingstree, SC 29556-2724
O: (843) 355-6846
H: (843) 355-6565
e-mail: wburgpres@aol.com
The Reverend Won H. Un, D’89 (Diana) 2010
Minister, Highland Springs United Methodist Church
22 North Holly Avenue
Highland Springs, VA 23075-1451
O: (804) 737-1503
H: (804) 323-5565
F: (804) 737-1582
e-mail: revun@verizon.net
The Reverend Kristin Adkins Whitesides, D’05 (Sandy) 2012
Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church
2913 Sorrell Court
Winchester, VA 22601-3498
O: (540) 662-5367
H: (540) 667-1326
F: (540) 662-7947
e-mail: kristinwhitesides@gmail.com
Ex Officio Members
Immediate Past President
The Reverend Deborah A. McLeod, D’85 (Thom)
Minister, Mandarin United Methodist Church
11270 San Jose Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32223
O: (904) 268-5549
e-mail: dmcleod@mumc.net
Divinity School Representative to the Duke University Alumni Association Board
The Reverend Wyman Fraser Davis, T’78, D’95 (Paul)
Episcopal Priest
714 Peachtree Battle Avenue N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30327-1251
H: (404) 351-6562
e-mail: wymandavis@comcast.net
Associate Dean for External Relations
The Reverend Dr. Wesley F. “Wes” Brown, D’76 (Jane)
Associate Dean, Duke Divinity School
Box 90966
Durham, NC 27708-0966
O: (919) 660-3456
H: (919) 490-1339
F: (919) 660-3405
C: (919) 949-8091
e-mail: wbrown@div.duke.edu
Distinguished Alumni Award Committee for 2010
Scott Rimer, chair; Dave Bucey, Debbie McLeod, Burt Palmer, and Wes Brown