Universities present to prospective priests
By Nicholas Bainbridge// News Editor
The Wilson School of Commerce Ballroom was the setting of High Point University’s Theological Education Fair. On Oct. 24, representatives from several different graduate schools offered prospective priests and pastors information on where they could continue their education after learning at HPU.
Attending a theological graduate school or seminary is a significant step in pursuing a church-oriented career path. Since HPU does not have a focus on religious education in the graduate school, it instead facilitates the introduction of students to schools that do have the expertise through methods like the fair.
“We were invited by High Point University to present the unique opportunities we have to its students,” siad Muriel Lasateer, who manages admissions at Campbell University’s School of Divinity.
Lasateer emphasized the dedication that her establishment has to educate the next generation of religious scholars through their dedicated and dual-degree programs, the latter of which offers paths to combine theology with business, mental health counseling or law.
Alumni from the visiting schools also came to share their experiences and encourage prospective students to pursue a career in religious studies, remarking that it was an invaluable experience.
“It was great,” said Taylor Barner, alumni of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary when asked about his experience there. “It allowed me to explore and ask questions while bouncing ideas off of my peers and the ministry. It really helped me shape and understand my own views.”
The representatives of the different universities were eager to inspire more people to follow the path of a minister to get an even greater number of people to live a life devoted to religion.
Caroline Nichols of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary explained the goal of divinity schools.
“Our whole mission is to glorify Jesus by equipping students to serve the church and to fulfill the Great Commission,” said Nichols.
The Great Commision refers to the command in the Christian Bible’s Gospel of Matthew, which commands the faithful to spread the teachings of Jesus to all lands and create more disciples.
Representatives converse in the Wilson Ballroom. Photo by Nicholas Bainbridge