May 17, 2013

Chemical engineer, priest, bishop, author, visionary leader: You have brought your passion for the spread of the gospel to your ministries, and you have had a major influence on energizing the mission of the church.

Earning a chemical engineering degree from Rice University, you began your career with Union Carbide, now known as Dow Chemical, where you installed the first computer on a company production unit–not surprising for a man known as an excellent administrator and a forward thinking leader.

Musician, teacher, tour organizer and guide, trustee, campaign co-chair. Your many gifts gracefully shared with the church worldwide have been an inspiration and blessing to all who have been touched by your ministries.

You have shared your musical expertise through teaching and performance as harpist and pianist with the Beaumont Symphony and Civic Opera, through participation with church choirs, and through service on the board of Young Audiences, a national organization that supports and promotes the arts for young people.

Proud fifth generation Texan, Episcopalian, best selling author, research professor. You have dedicated the last decade to studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness and shame, and your stories emanating from your research have struck a cord in the hearts and minds of millions of people.

Earning your Bachelor of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin, you went on to earn an MSW and PhD at the University of Houston where you are research professor in the Graduate College of Social Work.