Family Farms - Moravian College

children of God. We relish in the religious discussions and the truths
we learn from each other.”
The Seminary’s original 1807 class consisted of just three male
students, with a teaching staff of two. Today over a hundred men and
women—mostly women, in fact—of more than a dozen denominations
pursue the graduate degrees MTS offers (Master of Divinity, Master of
Arts in Pastoral Counseling, and Master of Arts in Theological Studies;
the Seminary maintains a close relationship with, but academically
distinct identity from, Moravian College). Their coursework
includes classes on world religions and instruction in stress-busting
spiritual practices like meditation and journal writing. Would those
first three students—all three of whom became Moravian bishops—be
taken aback by what goes on at the Seminary today? Perhaps not as
LeFT: The Seminary’s radio
closet, circa 1928; breaking
ground for the Bahnson center,
1975; instruction in pastoral care;
groovy sideburns in Reeves
library, both circa 1976.
RighT: centennial student body
and faculty, 1907; class of 1894;
centennial alumni vs. student
baseball game; annual Christmas
peace pilgrimage; anniversary
chapel service in the Bahnson
center, October 2, 2007. Other
bicentennial events included a
gala banquet and a walking tour
of historic sites in Nazareth.
photo by harry fisher
much as you’d think. Through two hundred years of changes, the institution
always offered one constant: an learning environment that’s
also a community. “For the first fifty years, students would stay at
the professors’ homes,” says Jane Burcaw, director of marketing and
communications. “And the professors often were pastors themselves. I
find that quite profound.” It’s an indication, she says, that Moravians
have always put relationships between people—students and teachers,
teachers and the wider community—on par in importance with
academic and pastoral instruction.
“As a three-year master’s degree program, the workload here
is intense,” adds Adam Spaugh. “But what really sets us apart from
other places, and the reason why I'm here, is the friendship and
community.” W
FALL 2007 MORAVIAN COLLEGE MAGAZINE 11