BU School of Theology Receives Student Funding through New England Education Society
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kimberly Macdonald
Director, Office of Communications
617-358-1858
kmacd@bu.edu
Boston, MA – June 18, 2020 – Boston University School of Theology (BUSTH) is pleased to announce the establishment of a generous endowment of $910.7K to support students, given by the New England Education Society (NEES). The New England Education Society Endowment Fund (“the Fund”) will provide much-needed student support in perpetuity.
The income of the Fund will provide financial support to one or more current students enrolled in a degree program at the School of Theology in the form of emergency aid including, but not limited to, housing, tuition assistance, personal expense, transportation and other expenses that permit students to continue to pursue their education at BUSTH.
“Every semester there are students at STH who endure sudden financial hardship due to a family crisis or other unforeseen circumstance. Often these students have nowhere else to turn for financial help, and NEES has provided the respite necessary to allow them to address their need quickly,” said Rev. Dr. Anastasia Kidd, BUSTH Director of Enrollment (STH’04,’18). “The speed and generosity of NEES has often made the difference as to whether a student could take care of their issue and remain enrolled in the program.”
Rev. Earl R. Beane, STH’67, CAS’63, former BUSTH Director of Admissions and former president of NEES, played an instrumental role in securing these funds. “Hundreds of School of Theology students have received financial help from the New England Education Society Fund at times of significant personal need during their degree programs,” said Rev. Beane. “I am confident that all who have been part of this tradition will be pleased to know that the Fund will continue, both with its historic name and with its resources to assist current and future School of Theology students. Thanks be to God and to all who have contributed to this Fund over many years!”
The Fund can continue to receive contributions, as student need doesn’t end once the Fund is endowed. “Our current and future students will be forever blessed by the generosity of the many donors to NEES and the extra efforts of Rev. Earl Beane and David Fitts, Esq. LAW’67,” said Ray Joyce, BUSTH Assistant Dean of Development and Alumni Relations. “The New England Education Society’s nearly 150-year tradition will now live on for all future generations of STH students. For those STH alumni/ae whose NEES loans have been forgiven, if you haven’t already, we hope you will consider “repaying” your loan through future donations to increase the proceeds from this transformative gift.” Added David Fitts, Esq., “I am most pleased that [BUSTH] has agreed to accept the funds of NEES with an understanding that the purposes of NEES will be continued in perpetuity with the guidance and administrative support from the School of Theology.”
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Since 1839, Boston University School of Theology has been preparing leaders to do good. A seminary of the United Methodist Church, Boston University School of Theology is a robustly ecumenical institution that welcomes students from diverse faith traditions who are pursuing a wide range of vocations – parish ministry, conflict transformation, chaplaincy, campus ministry, administration, non-profit management, social work, teaching, justice advocacy, peacemaking, interfaith dialogue, and more. Our world-renowned faculty and strong heritage help students nurture their academic goals and realize any ministry imaginable. For more information, please visit www.bu.edu/sth.