New Support from Louisiana

Recently, the Diocese of Louisiana became the latest of the university's owning diocese to support the renewal of facilities for the School of Theology, having made a $75,000 pledge to that project. In addition, the diocesan bishop, The Rt. Rev. Morris Thompson, H’11, has made his own personal commitment to the project. “I wanted to help the School of Theology,” says Thompson. “I've heard about their planned work on a new home for the School, and I wanted to support the good work the school does.” 

Both the personal gift and the diocesan gift are structured into monthly payments, which are auto scheduled. While the diocesan gift focuses on the building (and a quarterly gift to the 1% program), Thompson’s monthly gift is divided among general support for the School of Theology, financial aid at Sewanee, and support for special events. Bess Turner, director of Development, Alumni, and School Relations for the School of Theology, finds it "inspiring that all his gifts come in by auto-schedule. That thoughtfulness symbolizes his commitment.” 

Thompson was born in Cleveland, Mississippi, in 1955. He served in the U.S Marine Corps for two years (1974-76), and afterwards obtained his bachelor's degree at Mississippi State University. He was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1981, and then as an Episcopal priest in 1991. He has experience working in healthcare, working as Director of Pastoral Services at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, Kentucky, from 1985 and 1990, and as vice president of mission at Our Lady Bellefonte Hospital from 1990 to 1992, as well as having training in clinical pastoral education, grief/anger/loss recovery and appreciative inquiry.

To make a gift to the School of Theology, click here, or contact Bess Turner at this link.