Alumni gather at Diocese of Northwest Texas Convention and Diocese of Texas Clergy Conference
In recent weeks, Seminary of the Southwest has been on the road, reconnecting with alumni and friends across the state at two major Episcopal diocesan gatherings—the 67th Annual Diocese of Northwest Texas Convention in Lubbock and the Diocese of Texas Clergy Conference at Camp Allen. Both events offered opportunities to celebrate the seminary’s strong ties to diocesan life and to highlight the ways Southwest’s theology graduates continue to serve and lead the wider church.
Warm hospitality in Lubbock
At the Diocese of Northwest Texas Convention, held October 17–19, Southwest representatives Eric Scott and April Kerwin enjoyed meaningful conversations with alumni, clergy, and lay leaders from across the diocese. The gathering began with a joyful Eucharist at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and concluded with closing resolutions at the McKenzie-Merket Alumni Center on the Texas Tech University campus.
One of the highlights of the weekend came in a lighthearted yet heartfelt resolution introduced by the Rev. Mary Glover, a Southwest Alumna. Her “Talking With Our Mouths Full: A Thank-You Resolution” honored the seminary’s long partnership with the diocese—celebrating generations of seminarians formed in Austin, the diocese’s relationship through the Iona Collaborative, and Southwest’s enduring identity as a seminary “for the whole church.”
The Rt. Rev. Scott Mayer’s warmth and humor set the tone for a weekend of reconnection. Over a lunch co-sponsored by the diocese and the seminary, Eric Scott addressed the convention, giving updates on the seminary and acknowledging the many alumni and seminary friends in the room.
“One memorable moment at the convention was when all the Southwest and Iona alumni stood up to be recognized. It was touching to see how many of our clergy were shaped by Southwest,” said April Kerwin, Director of Major Gifts and Planned Giving. “We are very grateful to everyone for their welcoming hospitality, which felt like a family reunion.”
Reunion and renewal at Camp Allen
Just days later, several staff from Southwest traveled to Camp Allen for the Diocese of Texas Clergy Conference, joining clergy from across the diocese for worship, workshops, and fellowship. The seminary hosted a gathering for alumni and friends, offering an informal space to share news from Austin and to celebrate the shared mission of forming leaders for the church’s future.
Conversations at Camp Allen centered on the strong and ongoing partnership between the Diocese of Texas and the seminary. At the well-attended breakfast for alumni and friends, the Rt. Rev. Kathryn Ryan, the Rev. Nandra Perry, and the Rev. Lecia Brannon addressed alumni and friends and delivered greetings and updates from the seminary.
“Each year as we gather together at Clergy Conference I am struck by our Alumni’s desire to be connected to Seminary of the Southwest and to each other,” reflected the Rev. Lecia Brannon, Director of Alumni Relations. “There is a deep sense of community and belonging that we carry into our ministries across the Diocese of Texas.”
“These events remind us that our alumni community extends far beyond campus,” said Eric Scott, Vice President for Advancement and Communications. “Whether in Lubbock, Camp Allen, or beyond, we’re meeting graduates who carry Southwest’s values into every corner of the church. Their stories are what make this seminary’s mission come alive. These events underscored what makes Southwest distinctive: a community of alumni, faculty, and friends bound by shared formation and meaningful relationships. We are grateful for these invitations.”
