Notes from the Interim President - Angela Zimmann, Ph.D.

January 24, 2020
Dear Members of the ULS Family:
In 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. delivered his “Where Do We Go From Here?” address at the 11th Annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Atlanta. An excerpt from that speech reads, “And I must confess, my friends, that the road ahead will not always be smooth. There will still be rocky places of frustration and meandering points of bewilderment. There will be inevitable setbacks here and there. And there will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair.”
While in this passage Rev. Dr. King was referring to the many challenges that lay ahead after the passing of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts, we should, as individuals, and as part of an educational institution, reflect on his words and legacy—how they guide us during troubled times even five decades later. Our challenges are often not (although sometimes can be) on the scale of the oppression and marginalization that Rev. Dr. King was battling for the sake of the people he loved. Nevertheless, we can learn from his resilience as we walk a path that is fraught with setbacks, hope,frustration and despair. As Rev. Dr. King so exemplified through his life, we are called to face these challenges in confidence that God is present with us, always. ULS, too, has indeed experienced “rocky places of frustration” and “inevitable setbacks.” But, by the grace of God, we aspire to be United – a United community of students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni and friends, joining hands and hearts every day to share in the Gospel of Christ. Itis through the gift of community that we can continue to fulfill God’s mission,and it is through the gift of the words of leaders such as Rev. Dr. King that we find the inspiration to move forward.To read Rev. Dr. King’s speech in its entirety, visit the King Institute at Stanford University.

In gratitude and hope,                              
Rev. Angela Zimmann, Ph.D., CFRE
Interim President
United Lutheran Seminary Gettysburg + Philadelphia
President, United Lutheran Seminary Endowment Foundation
Adjunct Professor of Homiletics 

‍Upcoming Events of Note
The Board of Trustees will meet in Gettysburg on January 27 and 28. I’ll be updating you on that meeting in a forthcoming newsletter. Also, on January 27 is our new student orientation, taking place on both campuses and connected via Zoom.  We are also excited for the ELCA Bishops Visit in Philadelphia, February 5-7. Twelve bishops from Synod Regions 7 and 8 are planning to attend presentations and meet with students, staff and faculty over three days. There will also be plenty of time for chapel worship, tours and a chance to get to learn more about ULS.
Staff Announcements/Transitions
I am pleased to announce that Conor Brooks, who was recently promoted to Sr. Director of Advancement, is serving in the capacity of Acting Vice President of Advancement while I fulfill the duties of Interim President. We also welcome Linda Fiore as Director of Communications. Linda comes to ULS with more than 25 years of experience in higher education leadership,marketing and communications previously at Temple University and as Executive Eirector of Young Audience Arts for Learning/Eastern PA, a not-for-profit educational organization. Carla Pavlick, who has served as Executive Assistant to the CFO and Accounts Payable (2018), has replaced Evan Brock as Executive Assistant to the President while retaining her financial duties until a replacement is hired. Since joining ULS in 2017, Carla has worked with Contextual Formation, Lifelong Learning and Financial Services. She brings with her more than 25 years of experience in higher education at Gettysburg College, the Sunderman Conservatory of Music, the Civil War Institute and the Eisenhower Institute. Please join me in thanking Carla for being such a devoted team player and wearing many hats! Kimberly Clark, Director of Financial Aid, will be departing ULS to take another position in higher education. We thank Kim for her years of service and wish her the best in her new endeavor.
Footnote
Please be sure to check out our podcast series, “The Seminary Explores,” now available on iTunes or online. This podcast series covers a wide range of topics, from the arts, theology, ethics and interfaith issues.