2008 Woodie Awards
Reverend receives award for intellectual curiosity
By Regis L. Roberts
Issue date: 9/14/07 Section: News
Originally published: 9/13/07 at 6:19 PM CSTLast update: 9/13/07 at 6:19 PM CST
- Page 1 of 1
|
The Rev. Dr. David L. Semrad, director of the San Antonio United Methodist Campus Ministries, was honored with the Don Shockley Award for Contribution to Intellectual Life between two center board meetings at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
The award ceremony was July 27 at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth but because Semrad attended the funeral of his mother-in-law, he first received and heard of the award Tuesday.
Judy Semrad's mother, Naomi Weiss Walter Silvy, died June 30 at the age of 79.
Semrad said while he would have loved to attend the award ceremony, the funeral of his mother-in-law was more important.
Nickie Moreno, program coordinator of the campus ministry at the University of Texas at San Antonio, said her father, David J. Moreno, accepted the award on Semrad's behalf.
She said Semrad is well regarded, thus deserving of the award.
Semrad said he had no idea how the surprise was kept from him for so long.
"Now you know why I made you wear a white shirt today," Judy Semrad said of her attempts to surreptitiously make Semrad dress nicely for the occasion.
The award, given out by the United Methodist Campus Ministry Association every two years, is named after the Rev. Dr. Don Shockley, who was an influential scholar, former chaplain of Emory University and author of "Campus Ministry: The Church Beyond Itself."
Judy Semrad said David Semrad's insistence on intellectual curiosity and discovery among the students he comes in contact with is why he is deserving of the award.
The Methodist Student Center has a variety of courses and lectures, such as the weekly Hot Potato Issues, that engage students in current events.
Describing the Methodist Student Center's role in shaping students, Judy Semrad said, "It gives them credit for having something between their ears."
He and his wife agree that the strong basis in intellectual enlightenment in the United Methodist Church is one of the reasons they love the church.
David Semrad, 65, has been a Methodist his whole life, whereas Judy Semrad, 62, was drawn into the church 44 years ago after being born into the Nazarene Church and exploring the Catholic, Baptist and Presbyterian churches, among others.
"It's a church that seeks inclusiveness, diversity and oneness in faith," he said. "But not, so much, the oneness in faith that there's only one way."
This is an open forum for the readers of TheRanger.org. Abusive, inflammatory, slanderous, obscene and libelous language will not be tolerated. Please be considerate of other readers when posting comments. This is not the place for personal attacks. The staff of The Ranger.org reserves the right to deny publication of any posts. The comments posted here do not reflect the opinions of The Ranger staff, San Antonio College or the Alamo Community College District.
Be the first to comment on this story