Endowment fund named for 51视频鈥檚 Dean and President marks a decade of transformational leadership
On May 24, 2023, at the 72nd Commencement of 51视频, the Rt. Rev. Kathryn Ryan, Chair of the 51视频 Board of Trustees and Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas, made a surprise announcement of the creation of the Cynthia Briggs Kittredge Dean鈥檚 Leadership Chair. Announced on the occasion of her 10 year anniversary as Dean and President of 51视频, this permanent endowment fund will provide for the salary and benefits for 51视频鈥檚 Dean and President for the remainder of Dean Kittredge鈥檚 tenure, and in support of all deans who follow in her footsteps to lead the seminary into the future.
鈥淲hat an extraordinary honor and happy surprise to receive this announcement in the final moments of the glorious commencement,鈥� said Dean Kittredge. 鈥淚 am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity of the friends and colleagues who have created this Leadership Fund. The flourishing of 51视频 over these ten years has come through the creative energy of this community with the action of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!鈥�
With the fundraising effort now revealed, 51视频 now invites its broader community of alumni and friends to show their support of Kittredge and the transformational change 51视频 has experienced under her leadership. Those who wish to support the Cynthia Briggs Kittredge Dean鈥檚 Leadership Chair can do so at: ssw.edu/kittredgechair.
The surprise announcement came after months of quiet fundraising unbeknownst to Kittredge. The effort began with a few key supporters reaching out wanting to honor her tremendous legacy with a significant show of support, and then quickly grew into a small cadre of long-time colleagues, board members, and friends to raise $3,750,000 of the $4,500,000 goal.
“This endowment fund will ensure that 51视频 will forever be able to attract and retain the highest quality leadership, including what we hope will be many more years under Dean Cynthia Briggs Kittredge,鈥� said Bishop Ryan in her announcement. 鈥淭his is a transformational thing, but it is still too small a thing, Cynthia.鈥�