During the 2021 Iowa Annual Conference Session, Bishop Laurie Haller recognized the Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry, Rev. Julie Poulson, the board's new chairperson, for taking a very active leadership of the board during the past year.
"I am proud of our United Methodist campus ministries. They each have a long and very effective legacy of spiritual care for their campus for students, staff, and faculty," said Bishop Laurie.
Rev. Ted Lyddon Hatten directs the Wesley Foundation at Drake University. Ted is an Elder in the Iowa Conference.
The Wesley Foundation at Iowa State University in Ames is Collegiate United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation and is in a leadership transition for campus ministry. A unique thing about The Wesley Foundation at ISU and Methodism is that the church and the Wesley Foundation became incorporated into one entity in 1918.
The Wesley Foundation at the University of Northern Iowa is "ThreeHouse," an intentional ecumenical campus ministry. It is directed by Rev. David Glenn-Burns. David is an Elder in the Iowa Conference.
The Wesley Foundation at the University of Iowa is known as "Wesley House." The Wesley House staff of Rev. Anna Blaedel (Chaplain) and Rev. Sean McRoberts (Director of Operations) provides effective and innovative leadership. Like all of our campus ministries, Wesley House seeks "radically inclusive space for students that fosters spiritual formation and renewal."
Matt Klundt leads the campus ministry at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant.
Rev. Andy Nelson is the chaplain at Morningside University in Sioux City. Andy is an ordained ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Rev. Mara Bailey is the chaplain at Simpson College in Indianola. Mara is an Elder in the Iowa Conference, a graduate of Simpson College and Perkins School of Theology.
Rev. Dr. Catherine Quehl-Engel is the chaplain at Cornell College located in Mt. Vernon, Iowa.
"Catherine will retire after serving for 25 years as the Chaplain of Spiritual Life at Cornell College. Catherine is an alum of Cornell, class of 1989. Congratulations, Catherine! Well done, good and faithful servant!" said Bishop Laurie.
Bishop Laurie recognized Rev. Brent Hamilton, who founded and has led an effective campus ministry at the North Iowa Area Community College near Mason City.
"I also want to add my appreciation for the four Wesley Foundation Boards of Directors: Drake, Ames United Methodist Church and Wesley Foundation at ISU, ThreeHouse at UNI, and Wesley House at Iowa; and the administrations of the four universities/college administrations of Morningside, Iowa Wesleyan, Simpson, and Cornell; and the student club/organization and supporting church for the campus ministry at the North Iowa Area Community College," said Bishop Laurie. "Especially so during the pandemic, they have all stepped up to the challenge of encouraging innovations in the making of disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world."
