November 7, 2008 Arkansas United Methodist 7
Rock Jones, clergy member of the Arkansas Conference, is congratulated during his inauragation
as president of Ohio Wesleyan University. photo courtesy of Ohio Wesleyan University
Rock Jones installed as
president of Ohio Wesleyan
DELAWARE, Ohio – Declaring of culture and history; gifted with pow-
“this is our time,” Rock Jones, Ph.D., a ers of empathy and discernment; and
clergy member of the Arkansas grounded with moral foundations and
Conference, was installed Oct. 10 as a keen understanding that there are
the 16th president of Ohio Wesleyan better and worse ways to order one’s
University, one of the nation’s leading life and to order the life of one’s
liberal arts colleges. world.”
“The mission statement of Ohio During his address, Jones also
Wesleyan University indicates that we challenged the campus community and
fulfill our mission when we are success- others to look for ways to enhance the
ful at three things: imparting knowl- rigorous educational opportunities
edge, developing and enhancing certain already offered to Ohio Wesleyan’s
important capabilities with our stu- 1,850 undergraduate students.
dents, and placing education in the Jones, who took office July 1, has
context of values,” Jones told the initiated a review of the university’s
standing-room-only crowd gathered programming and will lead discussions
for his inauguration. “Never before to explore what he described as “even
has our world stood in greater need of more opportunities for our students to
an institution with this mission.” test the theories of the classroom
Jones comes to Ohio Wesleyan through engagement with the world.”
from Hendrix College in Conway, Enhancements to be studied
Ark., where he served most recently as include additional summer research
executive vice president and dean of and internship opportunities, increased
advancement. He succeeds Mark W. opportunities in the fine arts, and
Huddleston, Ph.D., now president of expanded mission trips to increase
the University of New Hampshire. service-learning opportunities for stu-
Jones said the world “needs indi- dents.
viduals who possess capacities of the Jones plans to take this message to
intellect refined by a liberal arts educa- an even larger audience. From October
tion and sharpened by experiences in through July, he will embark on a
the world.” He continued, “We must national “In Concert with Rock” tour.
prepare graduates empowered with the During the 30-city tour, he will meet
capacity to think critically and to com- with Ohio Wesleyan graduates, parents
municate with clarity and depth; pre- and friends to discuss their thoughts
pared to interact across the boundaries about the university and its future.
Free Advent devotional materials available
An Advent devotional program is ticipants to prayerfully reflect on
being offered by the Society of St. Scripture and devotions and then to
Andrew to help individuals and fami- make a financial donation to help feed
lies navigate the secular maze that America’s hungry.
often distracts from a holy holiday cen- All materials are free. For a church
tered on Christ. Using perspectives of sample kit or a personal packet, order
contributing clergy and laity, this year’s online at www.endhunger.org/
theme is “Finding CHRISTmas.” advent.htm, by phone at (800) 333-
This Advent, the society asks par- 4597 or e-mail church@endhunger.org.
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