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July 16, 2026
Alums Community Entrepreneur

Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall to Retire in 2027 Following Six Exemplary Years as President

Her Vision and Leadership Have Transformed United Following six historic and transformative years as President of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Rev. Dr. Molly T. Marshall will retire on June 30, 2027, upon completion of the seminary’s 65th academic year. President Marshall secured United’s financial standing, advanced institutional objectives toward long-term sustainability, and catalyzed historic growth in institutional fundraising and student enrollment. Rev. Dr. Marshall assumed her role as Interim President in March 2021 following thorough vetting by a search committee and the Board of Trustees’ unanimous vote. Having served in theological education for more than 40 years, her reputation preceded her. She made headlines as the first woman appointed to the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention. Ordained as a Southern Baptist, she later received the privilege of call by the American Baptist Church.  In 1997, she joined the faculty of Central Baptist Theological Seminary as professor of Theology and Spiritual Formation, thereafter stabilizing and revitalizing the school as President from 2004 to 2020, becoming the first woman ever to lead a Baptist seminary or divinity school. President Marshall’s respect and renown culminated in her executive report on effective seminary leadership, written for The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) before she arrived at United. Her experiences as a congregational minister, feminist theologian, prodigious academician, and her achievements as an administrator in theological education augured well for the seminary’s future in her care. Less than a year later, her position was made permanent, formally making her United’s tenth president, and, desiring to honor United's legacy, she pursued and received clergy standing with the MN United Church of Christ. United trustees outlined a set of priorities at the beginning of President Marshall’s tenure, on which she began immediate work. She invested much of her first several months in office in forming connections with alums, donors, and faculty. She concentrated her relational acumen on Advancement, and donors responded enthusiastically. In September 2021, United announced the Johnson-Fry Chair in World Religions and Intercultural Studies, endowed by Rev. Dr. Andrea Johnson (’17, ’23) and David Fry. Cultivating “respect for the lived religion of others,” as President Marshall often asserts, is a pillar of her scholarship and the seminary’s academic ethos. The Sophia Chair in Religious and Theological Studies, funded by a generous gift from Dr. Mary Farrell Bednarowski—Professor Emerita of Religious Studies (1976–2004)—and her husband and former trustee, Keith Bednarowski, followed in 2024. Finally, in 2025, a cadre of friends, alums, and former faculty established the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. These chairs, paired with substantial growth in endowed scholarships, feature prominently in President Marshall’s legacy and will endure as a witness to her faithful stewardship of alum and donor relations. Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson, Vice President for Advancement, reflects, “President Marshall’s enthusiasm, attention, and engagement with our donors have been important components of her leadership. She has honored our alums and delighted in our students. Molly has valued United’s history even as she has led us into new ways of being. She has built a culture that reflects her dedication, vision, and generosity. She has been a bright light in the broader community, embodying her passion for and dedication to United. Molly arrived with both expertise and heart, and she has shared them generously. She leaves a lasting imprint, and we are better for that. On a personal note, it has been a great gift to be her colleague.” Historic enrollment has been a fixture of President Marshall’s tenure. Between fall 2020 and fall 2025, degree-seeking student enrollment grew 57 percent, with the seminary welcoming its largest incoming class of degree-seeking students ever in fall 2025. In a climate where many theological schools have experienced stable or declining enrollment, United has surged. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS), one of the seminary’s two accrediting bodies, named United in its 2023 Holiday Colloquy Online issue as one of only 18 ATS-accredited seminaries to have demonstrated “steady year-over-year growth during the past five years.” President Marshall has positioned United as a leader in progressive theological education and a model for historically Mainline Christian schools. Commenting on what makes the seminary unique, President Marshall astutely noted United’s “desirable curriculum that emphasizes social transformation, theology and the arts, interreligious engagement, and public theology” and the intentional welcome of “students with myriad religious, spiritual, and theological leanings.” She sharpened and raised the seminary’s prophetic voice, believing that progressive theological education exists to serve the common good. From considerable growth in the Interreligious Chaplaincy program to the establishment of the Sims Scholars Initiative, she has expanded the student body’s depth and breadth. Under President Marshall’s fastidious leadership, United completed a Five-Year Strategic Plan in 2026. David S. Anderson, former Chair of the Board of Trustees (2020–2026), witnessed firsthand President Marshall’s effective management of United’s revitalization and her manifold accomplishments in office. On his close friend and colleague, David writes, “In her writings, President Marshall, Molly to me, once observed, ‘. . . following the Spirit will require of all of us faith—all the guidance we usually get is enough to take the next uncertain step.’ United, in late 2020, was indeed in a state of uncertainty, and President Marshall’s emergence as its next president must be seen as a revelation of the Spirit. She has led United to a platform of stability from which it will move forward with confidence, heeding the Spirit toward an uncertain, as human endeavors are, but bright and sustainable future.” Dr. Kyle Roberts, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the news of President Marshall’s retirement with students this morning. With profound gratitude for her enrichment of the seminary’s faculty and scholarship, he remarked, “President Marshall has been just the leader this seminary needed to reclaim its vision, its vibrancy, and its voice in theological education. She has led a process of internal healing and of increasing external influence. She has been a champion of rigorous but applied theological education for spiritual leadership, supporting and encouraging the faculty in their teaching and the staff in their work. United,” he affirmed, “will always be indebted to her years of service and to her passion and care in moving the seminary to its next stage. United is, once again, a leading voice in progressive seminary education in large part because of President Marshall.” Rev. Dr. Dianne Oliver, Chair of the Board of Trustees, celebrates President Marshall’s transformative tenure and looks toward a bright future ahead. She affirms, “President Marshall’s impact on United is really extraordinary, and she will leave a profound legacy at the institution. Clearly, she has been successful in the ways often highlighted for an outstanding President—record enrollment, expanded academic programs, and financial stability, building a strong foundation for the next steps on United’s journey. Add to these leadership successes Molly’s theological acumen and prophetic voice in challenging times, and it is easy to see the scope of her leadership. Just as importantly, though, Molly has helped create a deep sense of community among the faculty, staff, students, trustees, and the broader community who support the work of United. Her leadership and accomplishments ensure United will keep living into the fullness of its mission and vision as the context for theological education continues to evolve.” Reflecting on her service to the seminary, President Marshall writes, “Serving as United’s President has been a joyful pursuit over these past several years as I have lived into the storied history of this good seminary. I have been invited into a theologically expansive landscape where courageous learning and creative ministries have renewed my own vocation in theological education.” She continues, “Faculty, staff, students, board members, donors, and friends have welcomed me to help craft this chapter of our shared mission. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity to serve as United’s tenth president. (Don’t say goodbye to me yet; there’s still work to be done!)” A Presidential Search Committee, comprised of trustees and representatives from the student body, alums, faculty, and staff, has been engaged in faithful preparation ahead of the public search for President Marshall’s successor. The seminary will share details about this process in the days ahead. Friends and colleagues from throughout President Marshall’s career were invited to submit reflections in her honor. These have been published on our announcement page. United eagerly anticipates celebrating President Marshall and her myriad contributions to the life of the seminary community during special events in spring 2027. Details will be made available in the months ahead. Strengthened and invigorated by President Marshall’s faithful leadership over these six years, United enters its 65th year of progressive theological education, steadfast in its mission: preparing innovative and compassionate leaders for the equipping of churches, other faith communities, and society toward justice and peace. Honoring President Marshall In celebration of President Marshall's tenure, a webpage featuring images, reflections by friends and colleagues, and opportunities to honor her achievements is now available. Visit the link below to learn more. Learn More About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established in 1962. Today, United continues to educate leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling of systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him) Director of Marketing and Communications press@unitedseminary.edu • 651.255.6138

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December 17, 2025
Alums Community Entrepreneur

Lauren Busey (’07) Ministers to a New Beloved Community at Pickledilly Skokie

Lauren Busey (’07) grew up in the Lutheran church,  earned an undergraduate degree from Luther College, and thought she would probably attend a Lutheran seminary. Then, at a Luther College women’s retreat, Rev. Dr. Christie Cozad Nueger (’80)— Professor Emerita of Pastoral Counseling and Pastoral Theology (1992–2005)—was the featured speaker and knew Lauren’s campus pastor. “So,” Lauren remembers, “we just kind of got to talking, and within a couple of weeks, I was enrolled at United.”  United “was a good fit,” Lauren asserts. She found a welcoming community of fellow students and treasured professors. Those who had the greatest impact include Rev. Dr. Jann Cather Weaver (Associate Professor Emerita of Worship, and Theology and the Arts, 2001–2012), Dr. Marilyn Salmon† (Professor Emerita of New Testament Theology, 1989–2014), and Dr. Carolyn Pressler (Professor Emerita of Biblical Interpretation, 1990–2020).  After seminary, Lauren accepted a call back home in Evanston, Illinois, at the church where she grew up, Trinity Lutheran Church. Despite being a bit apprehensive about serving as the director of Faith Formation at her home church, Lauren found that the parishioners were warmly welcoming and supportive. She’s been there ever since and notes that the flexibility of the position allowed for a positive work-life balance. Lauren and her wife are raising two children. Just this year, however, Lauren, along with her wife and two business partners, embarked on a new venture—and in February 2025, the four co-owners opened a new state-of-the-art pickleball court in Skokie, Illinois. Dubbed Pickledilly Skokie, the new indoor space features 11.5 courts under high ceilings, lockers, a lounge area, and a pro shop. Plus, the venue is in the same complex as Sketchbook Brewing Company and has abundant free parking. So what happened? “I think my wife would say that I’ve always been the big idea person,” Lauren explains. Usually, she continues, Amy “nods and smiles and keeps on going,” but this time she agreed with the idea. Both Lauren and Amy are avid pickleball players, and Lauren says she found that the activity was much more of a “community-based sport.” Community was the key. As Lauren stated in a July 18, 2025, interview for Ryan Glatzhofer’s The Locals: Stories of Courageous Entrepreneurs, “One of the things that has always been a passion of mine is bringing people together.” Going a step further, she said more recently, “One of our pillars is that this is a safe space, and we are welcoming here.” How did United prepare Lauren for entrepreneurship? “United was really helpful to me in expanding my worldview and my understanding of diversity and not assuming you know where people are coming from.” As for the connection to ministry, Lauren asserts, “We’re still grounded in the same way of taking care of people,  and loving people, and meeting them where they are.” __________________________ † of blessed memory

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December 12, 2025
Advent Arts theology and the arts

Images of Hope: Advent in Art

Art has the tremendous power to restore us in a time when our world seems to make no sense and we need a moment of respite and encouragement from our daily struggles. A single photograph of a flower or a laughing child can buoy our spirit to carry on. In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent urges us to look for Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, and we’d like to open a space for you to share photos that speak to you in those ways. Add Your Image of Hope Throughout Advent, we published submissions received from United students, alums, faculty, and staff.  Pieces are published in the order in which they are received. Last updated: December 12, 2025. "Feed for the winter." by Ryan Currens (student, Institutional Major Gifts Officer) This picture from our family farm in Iowa of fall fields reminds me of the hope for plenty during the winter months to come. "Enduring Hope" by Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson (Vice President for Advancement) My nephew Erik took this photo in the late days of fall. The remaining beautiful red blossom, still holding court, is for me a sign of hope and determination. "Children's Creation" by April Knight (student) When I was growing up in church—a church I loved—children's art would have never been allowed front and center displayed as Peace Church in Duluth celebrates children! This is the "Hope" of my Advent season this year. "puddle no filter" by Mike Coyne (student) Neither the limits nor the beauty of a physical form can negate its essence, or capture its true nature. "Waterfall Cross" by Tami Glasbrenner (Accountant) Photo taken while hiking Hocking Hills Ohio State Park. "Tiny Tracks" by Sheryl Schwyhart (’20) "Chapel in the Trees" by Babs Allen (student) Sign as you enter into the Chapel in the Trees in Funk’s Grove, IL. "Annunciation (by Julia Barkley)" by Rev. Dr. Cindi Beth Johnson (Vice President for Advancement) During chapel, we were in a circle, and I realized I was facing The Annunciation. A reminder of hope in the Christian tradition. "The United Chapel during Advent" by Ryan Currens (student, Institutional Major Gifts Officer) I took this picture during the second week of Advent after the final chapel for this semester. "Sunrise Over Grand Meadow, Minnesota " by Dale Dobias (’89) 3x3 inches, found papers on canvas board   "Sixth of Sunwait, Welcome Solstice" by Brian Weis (’24) Photo collage: Altar with Sunwait candelabra. Candles for the first six runes are lit. Additional candles, goddess statues, festive greens, etc. are also present.

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December 11, 2025
Academics Activism Black Liberation Theology Community

Alex Sánchez Rodriguez Finds Vocational Inspiration at United

Alex Sánchez Rodriguez, who plans to graduate from United in 2026 with an MA in Religion and Theology, was initially drawn to the seminary’s Interreligious Chaplaincy program. Since taking more classes, engaging with his professors, becoming involved in the Student Leadership Collective, and taking on other extracurricular activities, he has settled on a new calling. “I discovered,” Alex shares, “that I have a natural affinity toward academics.” In fact, he admits, “I want to be like my professors.” Before coming to United, Alex was a substitute teacher in Puerto Rico. Since he moved to Minnesota, he has been working in student development and promoting student success. The priority of student success is the throughline, Alex perceives, from his current role and an academic career. “If I am to go into academia,” he explains, “part of my success as a teacher, professor, and researcher depends on the success of my future students.”  Alex also credits United professors for embodying the kind of academician he hopes to become. Dr. Demian Wheeler and Rev. Dr. Andrew Packman, he notes, “as academics and how they engage with their students…[are] very inspiring to…future academics.” The fact that United faculty are “so accessible and so approachable and so likeable,” Alex continues, made him realize that an academic career does not have to take place in some secluded and inaccessible “ivory tower.”  United’s emphasis on interreligious engagement was another piece of Alex’s transformation. “I grew up in a very Christian environment where everything that wasn’t Christian was considered bad,” Alex recounts. After encountering the diverse faith communities of United’s students and faculty, he suggests, “it made me realize that there’s not just one path toward spirituality and divinity.” Ultimately, Alex hopes that his future work as a theologian can help fellow Puerto Ricans emerge from the shadow of colonization. “I think doing the work of theology is a way to help ’regular people’ realize that they don’t have to live as colonized individuals anymore. They have the opportunity to define who they want to be.”  As Alex stated earlier this year, “While I could have chosen a different specialty or a different seminary, theology and religious studies have brought a sense of wonder that I have not experienced in any other discipline that I have studied, and United has given me more than I can name.”

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November 26, 2025
VOICES

Jonathan Morgan (’00), Wilson Yates, & the Legacy of a Friendship

There are few, if any, alums in United’s 63 years that can claim to have occupied the office of the presidency before graduating. So it is with Jonathan Morgan (’00), whose connections to the seminary span decades and run the gamut from alum to donor, trustee, and interim President—though not in that order. The son and grandson of prominent Twin Cities attorneys, both of whom he greatly admired, Jonathan spent his early years in tension between two paths.  “When I was in college, I was torn between going to law school and theological seminary.” Jonathan ultimately chose law school. An alum of Harvard University and Harvard Law School, Jonathan began his career as an attorney on solid footing. In an interview with Mendota Heights Living Magazine, Jonathan is cited as having followed his tenure at his father’s firm in the Twin Cities—Briggs and Morgan, P.A. (now Taft Law), where he met his wife, Martha—by working in the Minnesota Attorney General’s office. Still, the deeper he waded into legal work, the stronger the pull toward seminary became. Jonathan’s foray into theological education began in his role as a trustee. “It was in the 1970s, ” he recalls, “that Virginia Brooks on the United board was responsible for inviting me to serve on the board of directors, which I was very happy to do.” He began serving as a trustee in 1988, and in 1994, he stepped away from practicing law and answered the call to enroll at United.  “One day,” Jonathan remembers from his time as a student, “President Ben Griffin called me into his office: ‘Would you be willing to serve as Interim President upon my departure?’” With the stipulation that it was indeed temporary, Jonathan graciously accepted and served as Interim President from 1995 to 1996. “I had that wonderful year in that capacity,” Jonathan reflects, “And of course, at that time, I got to know Wilson Yates very well.” In 1996, after Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates was named President, he asked Jonathan to serve as Vice President of Development. “I was very happy to do that,” Jonathan shares.  He graduated from United in 2000 while also serving as  Vice President.“ For the ensuing nine years, I served as Vice President of Development and Stewardship, and Wilson served as President.” Jonathan fondly recalls that the pair became quite close—“not only in our work for the seminary, but also as great friends.” As a team, they were highly effective, sharing meals with countless donors, successfully raising support for two capital campaigns, not only advancing the seminary’s mission, but also enjoying “the journey as friends who were able to be inspired to do what we did.” The closer they became, the more Jonathan’s esteem for Wilson grew. “I came to admire Wilson not only as a theologian, but as a scholar and a teacher.” Thus, when the announcement was made that a chair was to be endowed in Wilson’s name, it was—for Jonathan and Martha—an enthusiastic yes. Alongside other faithful friends and alums, the Morgans pledged money to help establish the Wilson Yates Chair in Theology and the Arts. They also wrote United into their will, ensuring that the legacy of their friendship and Wilson’s impact on Jonathan extends far into the future. Jonathan celebrates Wilson as a “pioneer” in the field of theology and the arts, and its application for churches and religious life. In Jonathan’s view, Wilson “stands as the founder and the foremost advocate and illuminator of the relationship between religion and the arts.” He contends, “That has been a blessing not only for the seminary, but for the wider religious community.”  Jonathan’s commitment to United and support for this new Chair reflect his belief in the relevance of progressive theological education. “[United] and its graduates are in an excellent position to be a force for good in a nation which is struggling for renewed hope and direction.” It is Jonathan’s “hope and prayer that United will continue to reflect God’s summons that we may be a force for concern and love for those whom we are privileged to serve.”  We give thanks for Jonathan and Martha’s enduring legacy of support for and involvement with theological education at United.

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November 21, 2025
Arts Methodist Studies ministry

Yolanda Williams (’20) Merges Music, Scholarship, and Ministry

From an early age, Rev. Dr. Yolanda Williams’ (’20) life revolved around making music. “I've been taking piano lessons since second grade,” she shares, “and I started to play violin in seventh grade.” She also has a well-developed talent for singing (soprano and mezzo soprano). At Hamline University, one of her majors was music, and at the University of Minnesota, Yolanda earned a master's in Vocal Performance. So, how did Yolanda earn an MDiv and become the pastor at Fridley United Methodist Church? That seed was also planted early on. Finding Religion  Yolanda explains that she doesn’t come from a religious family; in fact, her father was opposed to organized religion. Still, her parents sent the children to Sunday school at the neighborhood church, John’s Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod). By age 16, Yolanda explains, there was a big change when she became a professed Christian after three pastors broke away from the Lutheran church and started a house church that became Agape Christian Ministries, which is still in operation. In this charismatic environment, Yolanda found the space to develop a personal relationship with God because, unlike her experience at John’s Lutheran Church, a relationship with God was prioritized. That was when Yolanda committed to God that she would become a preacher in gratitude for her changed life. At Hamline University, Yolanda pursued a double major—music and religion. After earning her master’s degree, she went on to tackle a PhD (also at the University of Minnesota) in Education with a graduate minor in African Diasporic Studies. At the conclusion of her dissertation, Yolanda asserts, “The Lord reminded me that I had made a commitment to be a preacher.” Deciding on United The day after her PhD dissertation was accepted, Yolanda was looking for a local seminary because of God’s reminder. Because she owned a house in Minneapolis, she couldn’t imagine pulling up roots to attend seminary elsewhere. As a worship accompanist and leader, Yolanda had been involved with several Lutheran churches and had even played at Luther Seminary services. She had also heard about United. She approached Luther Seminary first and was told to visit the website. The contact at United invited Yolanda to visit the New Brighton campus and meet with staff and faculty. “It was beautiful,” she remembers, “like an oasis from the congestion and chaos of the city.” She also appreciated the eco-friendly aspects of the space, including the rain gardens and native plantings. This led her to choose United over other Twin Cities seminaries. While working full-time, Yolanda embarked on earning her MDiv in Methodist Studies at United. Because she was so busy with work and school, and more focused on theological scholarship, she did not find much time to socialize with other students. Since graduating, though, Yolanda says she’s maintained contact with other United alums. Reflecting on the Journey “From David on,” Yolanda asserts, “music has had a way of speaking to people beyond words.” It can evoke emotion, negative or positive, and has a unique power. It’s also an intrinsic facet of worship and church services.  She credits preachers from her teens for modeling how to be a caring pastor and apt preacher. Dr. Demian Wheeler, though, she exclaims, “had a huge impact on my life!” He is not just a scholar; he is “really an excellent teacher.” Yolanda explains that he organized classes so that he could both impart knowledge and collaborate with students in real time. He also challenged students to think critically about theological precepts. Yolanda is also grateful that United is such a religiously diverse community. “Having people from so many different backgrounds and spiritualities,” she observes, “gave me a broader idea of who might come through the door at my church.”  After years of deep scholarship, teaching, and musical performance, Yolanda is happy to be serving as the pastor at Fridley United Methodist Church. Though she gains much joy and satisfaction from the experiences of theatrical vocal performances at home and abroad, she can now admit, “There’s nothing like standing in a pulpit and seeing the hunger that’s before you and seeing the little light bulbs go off as God feeds the people through you.”

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November 13, 2025
Activism Community Relationships UUA VOICES

Student Cas Burr Gains Inspiration from United’s Gifted Faculty & Relational Ethos

Cas Burr, who is just four classes away from graduating with an MDiv in UU Studies, traces his first spiritual nudge back to high school. “I was on my Unitarian Universalist church’s Boston pilgrimage, and I fell in love with the history and lineage of the religion and tradition,” he recalls. The ministers on the trip, notes Cas, “noticed a spark, and encouraged me to think about ministry and church work” as a possible vocation.  After high school, Cas attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, where he majored in English and earned a teaching license. “I wasn’t set on ministry through college,” Cas admits, but I always had it in the back of my mind as a possibility.” Nonetheless, he spent a year after college in New York City earning an Advanced Certificate in Social Justice from Union Theological Seminary of New York. “I had a great year…and learned so much from my classmates and professors,” he says, “but I was ready to come back home and…learn in my home community.”  When it came time to accept his call to seminary, Cas was grateful to find United in the Twin Cities. An alum of St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Cas calls St. Paul home and was glad to find an option nearby. While proximity is important, he was also impressed by the seminary’s ethos of building meaningful relationships. “United appealed to me because of how the faculty and staff communicated with me right from the start.… [I]t was clear that great relationships were at the forefront of United’s mission.”  Professors and CPE Inspire Cas fervently believes that faith communities are uniquely positioned to effect “positive social change,” and was eager to expand his knowledge. United professors, without exception, he asserts, have not only been excellent teachers, but wonderful sources of connection and inspiration. “I have been blessed,” he observes, to take classes “from the amazing Unitarian Universalist professors at United, some of whom I have known for many years.”  Deep scriptural study has been another blessing. “I can’t say enough about both my New Testament and Hebrew Bible courses,” Cas exclaims. “Immersing myself in scripture is something that I feel so lucky to have been able to do,” he adds, “and it allowed me to form some of my own thoughts about these ancient texts. I am forever grateful for that.”  As he works toward becoming a fellowshipped UU minister, Cas has also gained transformational insight from a Social Justice Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), led by Rev. Dr. Laura Thelander and Rev. Dr. Sue Allers Hatlie (’85, ’04). “My clinical placement was at the Volunteers of America (VOA) High School in northeast Minneapolis,” he notes, “where I provided spiritual care to students and staff.” His learning cohort, however, met within Stillwater prison. Cas reveals, “I was in class with both free and incarcerated folks. It was a life-changing experience for me.”  Flexibility Empowers and Funding Supports Though Cas lives in the area, he appreciates the opportunity to take classes on campus or from other locations. “The flexibility to attend class either in person or online has been great for me,” he attests. He also enjoys the ability to make community connections on campus and participate in chapel services.  United scholarships offer great support, too. For Cas, his scholarship “has made achieving my dreams and calling much more accessible, and I am so thankful to United for all that they offer.” In fact, he declares, “it feels great to be at a place where the institution…financially support[s] so many of its students. What a beautiful thing.”

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October 30, 2025
Announcements students

United Celebrates Largest New Class in Seminary’s History

SAINT PAUL, MN — United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities celebrated a record-breaking 73 new students for the fall 2025 term, making it the largest incoming class of degree-seeking students in the seminary’s history. Total fall enrollment increased to 231 degree-seeking students, with an additional ten students enrolled in one of three available certificate programs. In sharp contrast with peer seminaries facing stagnation or even decline, United has benefitted from nearly a decade of considerable enrollment expansion, growing year over year in six out of the last seven years. Since the fall of 2015, only a decade ago, total degree-seeking student enrollment has grown by more than 94 percent, demonstrating the relevancy of United’s prophetic, progressive, and interreligious theological education. In addition to a 5 percent growth in Master's students over fall 2024, United experienced a 15 percent year-over-year increase in the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) degree program. Total DMin enrollment grew to 63 students for the fall term, making this United’s second-highest DMin enrollment in at least 35 years. Dr. Demian Wheeler—Acting Dean, Sophia Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies, and Director of Advanced Studies—reflects on United’s justice- and ministry-minded student body, saying, “For 63 years, United has been on the frontier of progressive theological education. This year, we welcome our largest incoming class ever—73 curious and creative students who are preparing to become innovative and compassionate leaders, leaders who will transform the church, heal the world, and work for justice, peace, and the common good. We celebrate this important milestone in the history of our seminary!” Director of Admissions, Mason Mennenga (’22), leads a strategic and highly driven team committed to providing the best possible experience for every prospective student. He contends, “Our recent growth in student enrollment is due to United being at the cutting edge in providing top quality theological education for students who already are and will continue changing the world.” President Molly T. Marshall, beginning her fifth academic year at United, credits the seminary’s world-class faculty, leading-edge innovations in distance learning, and commitment to interreligious engagement as core to the seminary’s growth. “I celebrate this entering class!” she asserts. “These students find an accessible and affordable education here, and they are eager to engage the progressive ethos of the seminary. Inviting curriculum, excellent faculty, and student-centered teaching/learning make United a wise choice for theological education in our time.” We give thanks for these new students, a robust and vibrant student body, and the transformative power of theological education in our communities, the church, and society. About United Founded by the United Church of Christ (UCC) in 1962 as a welcoming, ecumenical school that embraces all denominations and faith traditions, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities has been on the creative edge of progressive theological thought and leadership since it was established. Today, United continues to train leaders who, through the eyes of faith, engage in the dismantling systems of oppression, exploring multi-faith spirituality, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge. Media Contact Nathanial Green (he/him), Director of Marketing and Communications United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities press@unitedseminary.edu • 651-255-6138

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October 15, 2025
Alums Community Relationships ministry pastoral care

Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Hsieh (’70) Honored as United’s 2025 Distinguished Alum

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is proud to announce that Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Hsieh (’70) is the seminary’s 2025 Distinguished Alum. A gifted and experienced multilingual pastor, staunch justice advocate, and dedicated intergenerational mentor and consensus builder, Hsieh is now a retired pastor and teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA and in Taiwan). When Hsieh started at United in 1968, he had just emigrated from Taiwan. Nominator Valerie Chu recounts how Hsieh worked in the cafeteria at United to defray the cost of seminary and learned to make traditional Midwestern fare, like tuna noodle casserole. After his fiancée joined Hsieh in Minnesota, Rev. Dr. Ruben H. Huenemann (President Emeritus 1960–1990) married the couple in United’s chapel in 1969.  Upon graduation, Hsieh served a church in Iowa where, Chu asserts, “his very presence as a short, bespectacled Asian man among the hardy Midwestern farmers represented an early public witness about the gospel’s power to bridge differences and nurture diverse communities of faith.” From Iowa, he moved to California, where he founded a Taiwanese-language congregation in San Jose.  Fluent in Chinese Mandarin, English, and Taiwanese, Hsieh was more than a minister to Taiwanese immigrants in California. As Chu explains, he was also “a friend and guide to help these new Americans navigate landlord disputes, court hearings, immigration forms, and employment applications.” Over time, Hsieh became a member, and eventually Chairperson, of the National Taiwanese Presbyterian Council of the Presbyterian Church (USA), a position through which he served as a liaison between Taiwanese Presbyterians and PCUSA. Rev. Dr. Chelsea Chui, who met Hsieh through the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan General Assembly (PCT), notes that “Hsieh helped introduce and strengthen relationships between the PCUSA and the PCT, particularly in Christian education ministries.” In the 1990s, Hsieh, representing the San Jose Presbytery and Pacific Synod, became a member of PCUSA’s Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy. Once he became chair, Chu reports, Hsieh led with “grace, gentleness, and humility,” even when discussions became heated. In one significant case, Chu notes, “Hsieh represented the Presbyterian Church (USA) to apologize to, and ask forgiveness from, Native American Tribes for the church’s inaction during the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation.” While on the committee, Hsieh—as a respected leader within the PCUSA with important experience and language skills—also had an opportunity to lead a team of clergy and laity to Nanjing, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan in 1997. According to Chu, the team met with “the [chair] of the official government supervisory organization over Protestantism in the People’s Republic of China, to urge China to assure freedom of worship for all believers.” As Chu concludes, “The Rev. Dr. Stephen C. Hsieh has spent decades fulfilling [United’s] call for its students to change the world as innovative and compassionate leaders. He has embodied Christ’s heart for peace and justice to unite people across cultures, generations, and political divides.” Join us in celebrating and congratulating Rev. Dr. Stephen Hsieh!

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October 15, 2025
Alums Ecology Ethics leadership UUA

Rev. Stacy Craig (’20) Honored as United’s 2025 Spirit of United Alum

United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities is delighted to announce that Rev. Stacy Craig (’20) has been selected as the 2025 recipient of our Spirit of United Award. Established in 2023, the Spirit of United award celebrates recent alums who have done “exceptional work that reflects the mission of United in the church, in faith communities, or in society.” Craig—an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister—has also lived into the vocation of an eco-chaplain, dedicating herself to remaining present within the interconnected web of life, as myriad lifeforms struggle to adapt to the changing climate. As nominator Rev. Dr. Kimi Floyd Reish (’19, ’24) explains,  In her congregational work in Wisconsin and California, [Craig] has guided communities to see climate change not only as a scientific or political crisis but as a moral and spiritual one. She preaches and teaches about repair, resistance, and resilience, inviting people into practices that restore relationships with one another and with the living world. Her ministry brings forward a theology that insists faith must be present in the public square and that spiritual care must include the ecosystems in which we live. Northland College (Ashland, Wisconsin)—where Craig graduated cum laude in 2004 with a BA in Religion and Philosophy/Outdoor Education—was where her focus on eco-theology took root. Following graduation, she became an environmental education program coordinator at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, an outreach arm of Northland College. For another 10 years, Craig worked at Northland College, helping students discern career choices, supporting events, and teaching courses in the Religious Studies Department as an adjunct instructor. When Northland faced impending closure in the early 2020s,  Floyd Reish notes, Craig “was a public voice of grief and resilience, reminding her community of the importance of institutions that have long carried the work of environmental education and justice on the shores of Lake Superior.” Through these actions, Floyd Reish adds, she “showed what it means to live out United’s mission of preparing leaders who change the world as faithful and ethical servants.” Rev. Greg Meland, United’s director of Spiritual and Vocational Formation from 2014 to 2019 and internship instructor of record, knew Craig from her time at Northland College and at United. When she was considering seminary, admissions asked Meland to talk to Craig. As he recalls, “She lived close to our lake place, and we had a long conversation sitting on our deck. When she left, I thought, ‘This is exactly the kind of person who should be in seminary preparing to pastor and lead.’” Clearly, he was right. As Floyd Reish concludes, “In less than five years since her graduation, [Craig’s] work has strengthened local congregations, deepened public conversations about environmental ethics, and provided a living example of what it means to be a United alum who leads with integrity and vision.” Join us in celebrating and congratulating Rev. Stacy Craig!

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