Hines Day Celebration 2008
Oct 02, 2008
Nancy Hines and Professor Jackson flank John Hines portrait
Bishop Wimberly congratulates Jack Mayfield
Bp. Wimberly and Bp. Claude and Barbara Payne with Mayfield
Professors Strukova and Jackson during faculty installation
Jack Mayfield honored during Hines Day celebration
Former Seminary of the Southwest trustee Jack H. Mayfield, Jr., received an honorary doctoral degree during an October 2 Eucharist that celebrated John Hines Day at the seminary.
Mayfield, who served on the Southwest board of trustees from 1999 to 2002, received the doctor of humane letters degree.
“Very dedicated Christian, successful oil and gas CEO and petroleum geologist, and sailboat skipper and motorcycle adventurer, you have magnanimously given of yourself to so many people and institutions,” read the citation that accompanied his honorary degree. “Born into a family known for its support of church and community, you continue the familial tradition with Seminary of the Southwest, St. Martin’s Church of Houston, the Diocese of Texas, numerous schools, conservation groups and civic organizations,” it continued. The full text of his citation appears near the end of this article.
Two new Southwest faculty members were officially commissioned during the service. Dr. Jana Strukova begins her teaching ministry at Southwest as assistant professor of Christian education and formation. The Rev. Micah Jackson, assistant professor of preaching, is the first person named to the recently-funded John Hines Chair of Preaching. Nancy Hines, daughter of the late Presiding Bishop John Hines, attended the service.
Seminary of the Southwest celebrates its annual John Hines Day during the first week of October. Hines was the primary influence in the founding of the seminary in 1952 when he was bishop coadjutor of the Diocese of Texas. He saw the need of the church to have a seminary of its own in the Southwest and established Seminary of the Southwest to equip people to proclaim the gospel in the world in which they live.
The full text of Mayfield’s citation reads –
“Very dedicated Christian, successful oil and gas CEO and petroleum geologist, and sailboat skipper and motorcycle adventurer, you have magnanimously given of yourself to so many people and institutions. Born into a family known for its support of church and community, you continue the familial tradition with Seminary of the Southwest, St. Martin’s Church of Houston, the Diocese of Texas, numerous schools, conservation groups and civic organizations.
“Your leadership gift to our seminary four years ago did much to make possible what we see today just up the hill – the wonderfully renovated Bailey Center at Rather House that we will formally dedicate later today. Your thoughtful counsel as a seminary trustee helped ensure our continued fiscal stability. Retired Texas Bishop Claude Payne recalls with gratitude the support and energy you gave to building up St. Martin’s Church when he was rector there, as well as your fondness for post-Sunday six p.m. service Mexican dinners.
“Passionate Son of Texas, you have served with distinction on the boards of University of Texas’ Jackson School of Geosciences and the Houston/Health Science Center. Uniquely positioned straddling the Red River, you hold geology degrees from both UT and Oklahoma. The Kincaid School in Houston, Texas State Bank and Texas Regional Bancshares became better institutions through your passion for ensuring well-run organizations. You first joined Goldston Oil Company in Houston in 1961 and began a twenty-five year tenure as its President, Chairman and CEO in 1970. Thanks to your vision and hard work, Goldston has long been in the upper ten percent of gas producers in Texas while being recognized for its exemplary treatment of company employees.
“In recognition of your humility, faithfulness and constant concern for others, we are pleased to confer upon you the Degree of Humane Letters, honoris causa.”
