Distinguished professorship established in the College of Bible & Ministry
Kim Chaudoin |
A new endowed professorship has been established in the College of Bible & Ministry thanks to the generosity of Lipscomb Board of Trustee member Terry Koonce.
The Dr. Kenneth Terry Koonce Distinguished Professor of Bible and Ministry will fund a full-time faculty member in the college who will teach undergraduate and graduate courses among other scholarly activities.
“We are thankful for Dr. Koonce’s tremendous generosity with his investment in our College of Bible & Ministry to help provide life-transforming education and experiences to our students,” said Lipscomb President Candice McQueen. “This gift also increases our endowment which is one of our strategic plan goals. I admire Dr. Koonce’s lifelong commitment to supporting theological education and for his service to and support of Lipscomb.”
“This gift establishes this vital position in perpetuity, serving countless students for generations to come,” said Leonard Allen, dean of the College of Bible & Ministry. “He has been a steady and committed sponsor of training ministers among Churches of Christ and has quietly supported biblical and theological scholarship in various ways for many decades. It is an honor for our college to be the beneficiary of this gift. We will be good stewards of all the resources that are entrusted to us. ”
Koonce has served as a trustee since 2021 and is former chairman of the board of Austin Graduate School of Theology. He had a very distinguished career of more than 40 years in various leadership positions with ExxonMobil Corporation and ExxonMobil Production Company.
Terry Koonce
“I have long had a strong interest in promoting high-quality theological research and training,” said Koonce, of Houston, Texas. “My hope is that funding this professorship will enhance the preparation of students with an interest in ministering to the needs of all kinds of people.”
Koonce is known for his generous spirit and community involvement. He has been involved with four United Ways, both in the United States and internationally. He was instrumental in starting a United Way chapter in Moscow some years ago and it remains active today. Koonce has served on a variety of boards including Heartbeat Ministries, Target Hunger, African Outreach Ministries; on the development board of Lifeline Chaplaincy in Houston and on the advisory council of the Greater Houston Community Foundation and founded the Koonce Family Foundation. He has served as an elder for 22 years in the Church of Christ in California, New Jersey, Texas and Alberta, Canada.
Allen has been witness to Koonce’s commitment to supporting Christian education for more than 40 years.
“I well remember in my early years as a young theology professor at Abilene Christian University at a time when I was seeking support for release time to make progress on a book project, Terry provided support that made a huge difference to the arc of my career,” Allen recalled. “Through this endowed professorship, Terry will make a difference in the arc of numerous other individuals who will be taught and inspired by the Koonce Distinguished Professor in years to come.”
Allen said a search committee is in the process of reviewing candidates for the Koonce Distinguished Professorship and the individuals will be in place for the start of the fall 2024 semester.
Endowed professorships allow the university to attract, retain and recognize exceptional faculty while providing a consistent source of funding for use in research, teaching, service and unique extracurricular learning opportunities. The College of Bible & Ministry offers undergraduate programs pastoral leadership, children's ministry, theology and ministry, mission ministry and leadership, worship arts and youth ministry; Master of Arts programs in pastoral studies and Christian ministry; Master of Divinity; Master of Theological Studies; and a Doctor of Ministry.
Make a gift to the Dr. Kenneth Terry Koonce Distinguished Professor of Bible and Ministry.