special opportunities for giving

Your financial support will equip the next generation of Christian leaders, giving them the knowledge, skills and spiritual depth to make a difference in the world. You may designate your gift to the Seminary Fund (annual operating costs), a specific endowment fund, or a special project.

• The President's Club

  The President's Club members are alumni/ae and friends of Western Seminary who have a vision for its future. They fervently believe in the seminary's mission to prepare leaders for the church of Jesus Christ.

  Gifts of President's Club members are for the general support of the seminary, as well as special projects, and thus have an immediate impact on the life of students and faculty.

  Purpose of Membership

  • Encourage ongoing support of Western Seminary by its loyal alumni/ae and friends.
  • Provide the continuity and framework within which tangible and lasting gifts and bequests may be made.
  • Assure proper and deserved recognition to those whose membership will add much to insuring a bright future for Western Seminary.
  • Establish a means of communication and free exchange between its members and the seminary's president, faculty and staff.

  Membership Privileges

  Members will meet at least once each year on campus. They will hear a report from the seminary's president on the current state of Western. Members may contact the president or various members of the faculty and staff regarding their insights concerning the future of the seminary. A special section in the seminary's Annual Report will be set aside to honor members of The President's Club.

  Conditions of Membership

  Membership in The President's Club is by invitation. Prospective members who make a commitment to do one of the following are eligible:

  • Contribute at least $1,000 per year to any fund.
  • Contribute an outright gift of $25,000 to any fund, which may be payable over five years ($5,000/year).

• The Dennis and Betty Voskuil Chair in Old Testament

  

  In August 1994, Dennis Voskuil answered God’s call to become the 10th president of Western Theological Seminary.  In June 2008, Dennis stepped down from the presidency after 14 years of unprecedented growth and change.  New programs were launched, existing ones redesigned, new facilities built, new community ministries initiated, and the student body tripled.

  Betty Voskuil has had a lifelong passion for meeting the needs of hungry people and has spent 30 years serving in many important roles advocating this issue.  She retired in 2007 from a decade of work as the Coordinator for Reformed Church World Service, an RCA Mission Services program providing emergency relief to disaster victims.

  “We really can’t understand the New Testament apart from the Old.  The Grace of God, which is fully revealed in Jesus Christ, is the central theme of the Old Testament.  The Bible is one story in two books.” – Rev. Dr. Dennis Voskuil

  In appreciation for the Voskuils' service to the Church, Western’s Board of Trustees established the Dennis and Betty Voskuil Chair in Old Testament.

  This endowed chair allows Western to continue placing a high value on Old Testament studies without relying on tuition dollars to fund the cost of a professor.  Every dollar received for this fund is money that does not need to be raised by increasing student tuition.  An endowment of $2,000,000 will fully secure a permanent chair in Old Testament. $1.2 million has been raised thus far, and Dr. Thomas Boogaart was elected and installed as the first professor to hold this chair.

  We invite you to thank Dennis and Betty for their service by committing a special gift to help complete the establishment of the Dennis and Betty Voskuil Chair in Old Testament.

• Racial/Ethnic Partnerships

  

  Did you know that 39% of RCA congregations that have been started in the last three years are racial ethnic in composition, and 47% of those planned for the future are as well?  Western has developed an intentional 3-part strategy to help prepare some of the leadership for these and other racial ethnic congregations.

  1. Fund scholarships for the Graduate Certificate in Urban Pastoral Ministry (GCUPM) program.  This eight course program provides theological education for people who are called to serve the church in urban ministry settings.  Many of the participants are people already serving in an urban context and the cost of theological education is difficult.  The establishment of ten $1,000 scholarships will make this education affordable. These scholarships are funded annually.

  Status:  $10,000 annually is needed to support this program

  1. Establish two full-tuition scholarships annually for Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree candidates.  These scholarships will cover the cost of tuition at Western annually.

  Status:  An endowment of $400,000 has been given to fund the first of these scholarships.  $800,000 more is needed to complete this funding.

  1. Hire Faculty Fellows.  Western will hire up to two racial ethnic scholars who are in the process of completing Ph.D. work in a seminary related field.  These Faculty Fellows will teach part-time at Western while completing their Ph.D. studies in hopes they may be viable faculty hires at the completion of their degree program.  Each Faculty Fellow receives housing and a stipend for an estimated cost of $40,000 per year per fellow. 

  Status:  Eric Williams, the first of these Faculty Fellows, taught at WTS from 2009-11. Our second Faculty Fellow, Bernard "Chris" Dorsey, started in the Fall of 2011.

  Status:  $40,000-$80,000 annually is needed to support this program

   

  If you would like to contribute to one of these exciting projects or would simply like additional information, please contact the Advancement Office (800) 392-8554 or advancement@westernsem.edu.

• The Zwemer Society

  In the early 1900s Rev. James F. Zwemer raised the first $100,000 in deferred gifts for Western Theological Seminary and in so doing assured fiscal security for the school.  His legacy lives on through The Zwemer Society, a group of individuals who affirm and support the work of equipping men and women for ministry by arranging planned giftsto the seminary.

  Western Seminary is not tuition-driven, which means students do not bear the full weight of what it costs to educate them.  These gifts ensure that quality theological education remains affordable for future generations.

   

  How can I become a member of The Zwemer Society?

  Simply notify the Advancement Office when you arrange a planned gift to the seminary.  In appreciation, you will be invited to an annual event at the seminary with other Zwemer Society members, and if you choose, your name will be placed on the Zwemer Society recognition plaque at Western.

   

  What if I’ve already arranged a gift?

  You are a member of The Zwemer Society! 

  Please let us know if your gift is designated and how (or if) you would like your name listed on recognition materials.  We look forward to thanking you in person for your partnership in this ministry!