New prayer chapel to be named in honor of Fetters
FOR RELEASE: Sunday, February 17, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-The prayer chapel in Huntington University's new residence hall will bear a well-known name on campus and in the community. The chapel will be called the Paul R. Fetters Chapel after Dr. Paul Fetters, scholar, theologian and pastor. In selecting the name, the Huntington University Board of Trustees acknowledged that Fetters has "devoted his life to the service of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and to Huntington University."
The Huntington University Board of Trustees adopted the resolution naming the chapel Jan. 26. President G. Blair Dowden shared the news with the campus community Feb. 15 at the annual Honors Convocation.
"It is my privilege to recognize a colleague who epitomizes Christ-centeredness in his scholarship, his teaching, his ministry and his personal life," Dowden said.
Enrolling at Huntington in 1951, Fetters earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1955, followed by a Bachelor of Divinity from the Huntington College Theological Seminary in 1959. He earned a Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist, now Palmer, Theological Seminary in Philadelphia; a Master of Education in Counseling from the University of St. Francis in 1975; and a Doctor of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena. During the past 10 years, his studies have continued at the University of British Columbia, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Joining the faculty in 1960 as a part time instructor in the Huntington College Theological Seminary, he filled several adjunct faculty positions during his 18 years of pastoral ministry. Later in 1972 as a full-time professor of practical theology, he was instrumental in the seminary transformation into the Graduate School of Christian Ministries, serving as director and dean from 1972 until 1997.
A contributor to a variety of denominational publications, religious periodicals and journals, Fetters has edited several books including "Trials and Triumphs: History of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ" and "Theological Perspectives: Arminian-Wesleyan Reflections on Theology."
As a pastor and scholar for the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, he has taught in Canada, Sierra Leone West Africa, Honduras, Jamaica, Hong Kong and Korea.
He continues to invest himself in the students of Huntington University as a professor in the Bible and Religion Department and through mentoring young adults at College Park Church.
The prayer chapel will be housed in the new residence hall, Livingston Hall, named after the historic dormitory of the same name. The original Livingston Hall was a student residence developed from a home built in 1897 by President Charles H. Kiracofe and later sold to Samuel L. Livingston, professor of theology. The house was converted to a women's residence in 1918 and later underwent two significant expansions and renovations. After additional student residences were built in the 1980s, Livingston Hall was converted to faculty offices. The building was demolished in 1988, and RichLyn Library was constructed on the site.
"What an honor!" Fetters said. "The chapel located in Livingston Hall will perpetuate the memories of the early beginnings of the Graduate School of Christian Ministries, which was housed in the original Livingston Hall, 1977-1987."
HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Resolution
Naming of the New Residence Hall Prayer Chapel
WHEREAS Paul R. Fetters has been associated with Huntington University since 1951, when he entered as a freshman, and has been a member of the faculty since 1960;
AND WHEREAS Paul R. Fetters has distinguished himself as scholar, theologian, and pastor;
AND WHEREAS Paul R. Fetters has devoted his life to the service of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and to Huntington University;
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of Huntington University adopt the recommendation of the Honorary Degrees and Commemorative Names Council, that the small chapel within the new residence hall be named "Paul R. Fetters Chapel."
