the academy journal
While the changes and challenges presented
have seemed daunting at times, we in the library
are eager to meet the many new opportunities
that arise as Bryn Athyn College and the Swe-
denborg Library continue to grow and prosper.
BAC Theological School Report
The Rev. Andrew M. T. Dibb, Dean of Students
mitted. However, circumstances for two of those
three, both foreign students, resulted in them de-
laying admission to some point in the future. The
final student was expected to begin classes in the
Fall of 2017.
Once again, the Theological School was blessed
with generous donors, and remained in the black,
with a budgetary surplus at the end of the year.
The generosity of the donors is greatly appreciated
as it ensures the training ministers will continue
into the future.
The Theological School would not function
without dedicated teachers. I’d like to draw your
attention to the excellent faculty: Revs. Grant
Odhner, Stephen Cole, Scott Frazier, Brian Keith,
Peter Buss, Kurt H. Asplundh, Prescott Rogers,
Grant Schnarr, David Lindrooth, and lay teachers:
Mary Williams, Erica Hyatt, Kevin Roth, Kay Al-
den, and Bergen Junge. Presiding over all of these
is Becky Henderson who keeps the school running
smoothly. The knowledge and expertise of each of
these people are what forms an entering student
into a viable minister.
T
he Theological School had a productive year.
The student body is still low, with four stu-
dents. Elmo Acton in his fourth year spent the
Fall term on his practicum. Because Elmo taught
Sophomore Boys in the Boys School, he remained
in Bryn Athyn under the supervision of Rev. Eric
Carswell. During the course of the year, Elmo
was called on to be Assistant to the Pastor of the
Oak Arbor Society. He took up that position after
graduation. Jeffrey Smith completed his second
year. He was recognized as a Candidate for the
ministry by Bishop Brian Keith. The year follow-
ing Jeffrey is empty, but two students joined the
school, both on four-year programs. Christopher
Dunn discovered the Church while working in
the Advancement Office. David de Boucherville
Baissac grew up in the New Church in Mauritius.
All four students made excellent progress in their
studies, with Elmo Acton graduating in May 2017.
During the 2016/17 School Year, seven men dis-
cussed or applied to Theological School. Of these
four men changed their minds, and three were ad-
Commencement Address
Delivered by Erin Busby
T
hank you, President Blair, and welcome to the
class of 2017, families and friends.
Being back in Bryn Athyn reminds me of my
high school days, and I thought about a story that
might be apocryphal. But I will tell it the way I
remember it. One of my friends had not attended
church schools before moving to Bryn Athyn at
the beginning of high school. Partway through
high school, someone asked her if religion classes
were hard because she didn’t have the same back-
ground as the other students. She said, “Well, it
was intimidating at first, but it got much easier
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