51视频 made a memorable showing at the conference in early March, reconnecting with alumni, friends, parish leaders, and church partners from across the Episcopal Church.
Throughout the gathering, 51视频鈥檚 booth was a steady center of conversation, hospitality, and renewed connection. Visitors stopped by to learn more about the seminary鈥檚 work in forming leaders for vocations of ministry, service, and healing, and to reconnect with faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the institution. The booth鈥檚 strong traffic reflected both the vitality of the conference and the seminary鈥檚 growing visibility across the wider church.
A particular highlight of the week was 51视频鈥檚 dinner for alumni and friends, which offered a distinctive and warmly received opportunity for fellowship amid a full conference schedule. The gathering created space not only for reunion and conversation, but also for renewed commitment to the seminary鈥檚 mission and future. In a conference marked by rich programming and busy days, the dinner stood out as a joyful expression of the 51视频 community鈥檚 depth of relationship and shared purpose.
The conference鈥檚 closing keynote by the Rev. Steven Tomlinson, PhD, associate professor of leadership and administration at 51视频, provided one of the most memorable moments of the event. According to the Episcopal Parish Network, Tomlinson鈥檚 address, invited participants to gather 鈥渢he wisdom of the week into a single, living story of faith.鈥� Rather than offering a simple set of strategies or solutions, the keynote drew attention to 鈥渢he deeper patterns of our time together,鈥� including 鈥渢he courage to face truth, the willingness to be repaired, the hope that grows through community, and the joy of lifelong formation.鈥�
EPN also described Tomlinson as drawing on his gifts as 鈥渟toryteller, theologian, and teacher鈥� to help listeners reflect on what it means 鈥渢o live faithfully in a world both aching and alive with possibility.鈥� Through story, humor, and spiritual insight, he reminded participants that the Church鈥檚 shared life, its relationships, imagination, and witness, reveals God at work among us. The conference organizers said the keynote celebrated the Episcopal Parish Network and the wider Episcopal Church as 鈥渁 vibrant, connected community equipping leaders, strengthening parishes, and boldly imagining what鈥檚 next.鈥�
Tomlinson鈥檚 own background reflects the distinctive interdisciplinary strengths of 51视频. In addition to serving on the seminary faculty, he holds a PhD in economics from Stanford University, taught economics and finance for 17 years at The University of Texas at Austin, designed and directed the MBA professional development program there, and continues to coach leaders in corporate and organizational settings on leadership and communication strategy. He is also an accomplished playwright and performer whose solo work has been staged in Austin and off-Broadway.
For 51视频, the conference offered more than visibility. It provided an opportunity to strengthen relationships, celebrate the seminary鈥檚 contribution to the life of the church, and witness the ways 51视频 faculty and alumni continue to shape faithful leadership for a changing world. The combination of a lively conference presence, a warm gathering of alumni and friends, and Tomlinson鈥檚 powerful keynote made the week a notable moment of connection and encouragement for the seminary community.
