The Tenth Annual Bishop James Walker Hood Donor Appreciation Dinner was held on May 15 in the Aymer Center on the campus of Hood Theological Seminary. This annual event was held to thank and recognize those individuals who have given a thousand dollars or more in the last year to the Seminary. “This year Hood has much to celebrate,” said president elect Vergel Lattimore. “Tonight, not only do we celebrate being in this beautiful building and the man it honors, but we celebrate each of you who are here this evening for your on-going support to this graduate school and seminary.”
This year’s event was attended by about 100 guests. Those gathered for the occasion were also thanked by four seminary students, Rev. Laticia Godette, Rev. Randell Cain, Tonya Brittain and Margo Gaddy. Each of the students gave moving testimonials on the ministerial preparation and spiritual formation they have received while at Hood.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the prestigious Bishop James Walker Hood Awards for Distinguished Service. This is the highest honor Hood Seminary bestows on donors, leaders and supporters. Dr. Lattimore, retiring president Albert J.D. Aymer, and chairman of the board Bishop Richard K. Thompson thanked this year’s recipients for their constant support and generous contributions of time and talent to the mission of Hood Theological Seminary since becoming independent 13 years ago.
Darrell Hancock was recognized by Lattimore for his tireless professional generosity as the Seminary’s attorney, serving pro bono from the eve of its independence in 2001 to the present, and for his life of service as a jurist, churchman at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, and public servant.
Dr. Ned Storey, active member of First United Methodist Church, community leader, and board member emeritus of the Seminary was recognized by Aymer for his many years of dedicated leadership, and ongoing generosity to this graduate school and seminary.
Dr. Richard Martin, retired surgeon, community leader and board member emeritus was recognized by Bishop Thompson for his life of service as a dedicated and talented surgeon, as a leader in his church and this community, and for his invaluable contributions on all fronts to Hood Theological Seminary.
Storey and Martin were both instrumental in the relocation of Hood to its present location in the old Days Inn property on Lutheran Synod Drive.
Among the special guests in attendance were Bishop and Mrs. George Battle, Senior Bishop of the AME Zion Church and Bishop Leonard Bolick, Senior Bishop of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
Hood Theological Seminary, located at 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, is a graduate and professional school where intellectual discourse and ministerial preparation occur in tandem within the framework of a community of faith. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, the Seminary is approved by the University Senate of the United Methodist Church and is the only Seminary in the United States sponsored by the AME Zion Church. Its student body and faculty are comprised of persons from many different denominations.