The MTSO Board of Trustees and its Presidential Search Committee have scheduled two opportunities in May for alums to offer input regarding the selection of the school’s next leader.

The board has retained Kate Nolde, senior consultant with the executive search firm Academic Search, who will convene two online discussions with alumni in May. Every alum is invited to join one of these two sessions by following the Zoom link at the appointed time:

• Wednesday, May 20, at 10 a.m. – Zoom link.
• Thursday, May 21, at 7 p.m. – Zoom link.

Each meeting is expected to last 50 minutes.

“As promised when we had our initial listening events in early March, this is another opportunity for alums to share their wisdom,” said MTSO Board Chair Jeff Taylor. “We’re happy to have Kate on board to guide us through this process and facilitate this conversation.”

The reach of MTSO’s Center for Integrative Pastoral Practice now extends beyond the borders of the United States.

Working with MTSO President Jay Rundell and CIPP@MTSO Director Jeffrey Holman, Mary Johnston Hospital in Manilla, Philippines, has created a three-year plan to develop its current Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) into an accredited full-complement satellite regional CPE Hub under the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries and the Board of Higher Education and Ministry (HEM). This would be the first such hub of the United Methodist Church outside the U.S.

At their joint meeting in April, the boards of directors for both Global Ministries and HEM approved a proposal connecting the Methodist Spiritual Health Center of Mary Johnston Hospital with CPE programming and certification through CIPP, a former HEM program that is now hosted and administered by MTSO.

The proposal and grant request were presented for approval by the joint executive committee of the two agencies and developed with Dr. Glenn Roy V. Paraso, the hospital’s executive director.

“The creation of this first CPE center outside the United States to be located at the Mary Johnston Hospital in the Philippines is a cause for celebration,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and HEM. “This vital work, equipping spiritual leaders with the care practices they need for ministry, is a collaboration among our agencies, MTSO and MJH, and one that will benefit the people of the Philippines and the United Methodist Church for years to come.”

Read the full story.

Annual conference season is here, and MTSO will have a presence at gatherings across the country. We’ll be hosting meals and receptions for alumni and friends at the Desert Southwest, East Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Susquehanna, Upper New York, West Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania annual conferences. MTSO will also have a table at the Great Plains Annual Conference.

With new faculty and programs, as well as a presidential search, there’s a lot of MTSO news to hear about. “It’s an exciting time for MTSO, and these events are a great way to connect with us,” said Alumni Relations Liaison Jeff Jaynes.

You’ll find all the dates and details, including how to RSVP, on our annual conference gatherings page.

The Clarke University Board of Trustees has appointed Yvonne Zimmerman the school’s president, effective May 1. Zimmerman had served as acting president of the Dubuque, Iowa, school since October. Prior to that, she was Clarke’s vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty.

Before her time at Clarke, Zimmerman served as associate dean and professor of Christian ethics at MTSO, where she was first appointed to the faculty in 2008.

“We were fortunate to benefit from Dr. Zimmerman’s scholarship and leadership for 15 years,” said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “I’m exceedingly pleased to see her in this role with Clarke.”

Read Clarke University’s announcement.

Each year, the Land Stewardship Initiative and Seminary Hill Farm accomplish a great deal on campus and beyond. Our Year in Review publication showcases some of those highlights.

In the latest issue, you can read about the work the Land Stewardship Initiative has done with installing native species of plants and trees on campus, as well as removing invasive species. The publication also features details about regenerative practices used at Seminary Hill Farm, their new self-serve farm market, and the many ways they worked with campus and community members throughout 2025.

You can read the Year in Review on the Seminary Hill Farm website.

As we head into a season of annual conferences and other denominational gatherings, MTSO is compiling a listing of students and alumni who are celebrating milestones in their ministry.

Please provide news of your significant denominational step, including commissioning or ordination, via this brief form. We look forward to sharing this list in the next issue of Campus View.

Emanuel Cleaver III, a dynamic pastor, author and advocate for justice, will deliver the commencement address to the 2026 graduates of MTSO.

The commencement ceremony begins at 11 a.m. May 23 in Dickinson Courtyard on the MTSO campus. Guests are welcome, and tickets are not required.

Since 2009, Cleaver has served as senior pastor of the 2,800-member St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, a congregation guided by its motto, “Connecting people with God in practical ways.”

He has authored three books, Pastor on Track: Reclaiming Our True Role; What Is the Bible and Who Is It For? A Book for Beginners, Skeptics, and Seekers; and Feed My Sheep: Preaching God’s Word. His published articles have covered subjects from friendship to giving thanks to hip-hop culture.

As a persistent advocate for social justice in his community, Cleaver has worked to oppose voter suppression, address implicit bias in law enforcement and foster relationships between diverse congregations.

Cleaver holds a Master of Divinity degree from MTSO and currently serves on the school’s Board of Trustees. In 2013, he received the Mount Alumni Award for Distinguished Service, MTSO’s highest honor for former students. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Philander Smith College and a Doctor of Ministry from Saint Paul School of Theology.

“As we look forward to the ways the class of 2026 will shape the church and the world, Dr. Cleaver’s work stands as a tremendous model of the impact our alumni can have in their communities,” said MTSO President Jay Rundell. “We’re honored to call him one of ours and grateful that he’ll share his wisdom with our graduates.”