Molly Bennett 2009 McDonald Teaching Award
Sep 23, 2009
Molly Bennett
Molly Bennett honored for her teaching
Molly Bennett, a veteran Christian educator who retired recently from Seminary of the Southwest, will receive the Durstan R McDonald Teaching Award at the seminary on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Conferral of the award will begin at 2pm in the seminary's Knapp Auditorium. Visitors parking is available in a lot at the southeast corner of Duval and 32nd Street.
Bennett came to the seminary in 1999 after working for 14 years as a Christian educator at All Saints' Church in Austin to develop training programs for youth ministers and educators at the seminary. She, McDonald and four other members of the seminary community created the Certificate program so lay leaders from throughout the country could come together twice a year for one-week sessions on campus. The program offers instruction, discussion, theological reflection, practical ministry skills, worship and spiritual formation. Seminary faculty teach the program's courses and the students form a crucial support network they had previously not enjoyed.
"A lot of the program's success is due to our faculty who welcome Certificate students with open arms. They fan the flames of student's eagerness to learn so they can fulfill their mission to teach our faith," Bennett said earlier this year. The sessions take place in January and June when regular seminary semester classes are not being held. "The campus is theirs alone and it enhances the sense of shared community. That Certificate network of support is available year round to ask questions and receive advice from fellow students throughout the country," Bennett said.
More information about Molly and the program about Bennett and the program.
Seminary faculty created the award to honor the Southwest dean-emeritus McDonald on his retirement in 2002. McDonald continues to teach part-time in the seminary's Center for Christian Ministry and Vocation program.
