(April 2, 2007) — A reception for Bethany Theological Seminary president Eugene F. Roop is scheduled for Sunday, April 29, from 2-4 p.m. at the seminary in Richmond, Ind. The reception will feature a program at 3 p.m.
Roop will retire June 30, after having served as Bethany’s president since 1992. He led the seminary through several major transitions and accomplishments, including a move from Oak Brook, Ill., to Richmond in 1994, and an affiliation with Earlham School of Religion in Richmond.
With the sale of Bethany’s Illinois property and the establishment of prudent financial practices, the seminary retired all debt and built a significant endowment. All of the school’s current fulltime teaching and administrative faculty joined Bethany’s staff during Roop’s tenure. Among the programs developed during his years as president are Connections, a distributed education program; the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, a certificate program for ministry training sponsored jointly with the Church of the Brethren General Board; the Institute for Ministry with Youth and Young Adults; and offsite graduate courses hosted at the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center in Pennsylvania.
Roop is a graduate of Manchester College, Bethany Theological Seminary, and Claremont Graduate University. In 2001 he was awarded a D.D. honora causa from Manchester. He began his theological teaching at Earlham School of Religion in 1970. His career at Bethany began in 1977 as associate professor of Biblical Studies. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including “Living the Biblical Story” and two commentaries in the Believer’s Church Commentary series: “Genesis” and “Ruth, Jonah, and Esther.” He was a significant contributor to “Bethany Theological Seminary: A Centennial History,” published in 2005.
Those planning to attend the reception may find more information at www.bethanyseminary.edu/?page=news_roopreception.php. Contact Bethany Theological Seminary, 615 National Rd. W., Richmond, IN 47374; or call 765-983-1823.