Dr. Trace Haythorn, Hastings College assistant professor of religion and director of the Vocation and Values Program, has accepted the position of president of the Fund for Theological Education (FTE) in Atlanta, Ga.  His resignation is effective Jan. 14, 2008. Haythorn has served the college since 2004.

 FTE is a leading ecumenical advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship.  Its work supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing more than $1.2 million annually in fellowships and other support to gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds. 

Since 1954, FTE has awarded nearly 6,000 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. Six Hastings College students have received fellowships since 2005.

The Fund also serves as a resource for congregations and for educational and faith communities in their role of identifying and encouraging young people to consider ministry as a vocation.  For more information about FTE visit www.thefund.org. 

  "In many ways, [this position] provides me with an opportunity to broaden the theological explorations I have sought to encourage at Hastings College to a national level,” Haythorn said.  “I trust the foundations of the Center for Servant Leadership and the Christian Ministry Program are both solid, and I believe Hastings College is headed toward great things.  I will watch with deep fondness from Atlanta as I transition into this new phase in my career.”

Haythorn’s work with the college’s Vocation and Values Program inspired students to discover gifts and skills that can be used to enrich their lives and to serve others. He  oversaw the Center for Servant Leadership, the Christian Ministry Program and was on the selection committee for the Kessler Scholarships and Christian Ministry Scholarships. He focused on raising the next generation of leaders for the church, and to build mutual understanding between people of different denominations, races and ethnicities.

As an author, Haythorn recently completed a study guide for “Struggling with Scripture,” written by FTE Fellow Walter Brueggemann and co-authors William Placher and Brian Blount.  Brueggemann, professor emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, calls Haythorn a “creative, strategic thinker with a strong love of church ministry and teaching.” 

 Haythorn has served pastorates including Westminster Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tenn.; Toorak Uniting Church in Melbourne, Australia; and the chaplaincy at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y. 

Haythorn completed a bachelor of arts degree at Austin College, Sherman, Texas, majoring in business and psychology; a master of divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, N.J.; and a doctorate in cultural foundation of education at Syracuse University. He and his wife, Mary Stoops, also a Presbyterian minister, have a daughter and a son.
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