Samford University and national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) will move a step closer to opening the Christian Women’s Leadership Center at Samford University when Alabama native Carol Ann Vaughn becomes the center’s first director Aug. 1. Samford and WMU announced their intention to open the center in August 1999 with the establishment of the Dr. Eleanor F. Terry Chair for Christian Women’s Leadership. The chair, held by the WMU Foundation, was established with a major gift from the late Eleanor Terry’s husband, Bob Terry, editor of The Alabama Baptist. Additional gifts from national WMU and the WMU Foundation have fully endowed the chair, which totals $1 million. Earnings will fund the director’s position and provide some of the administrative costs.
Leadership training
The center of study will help women prepare in a Christian context for leadership roles in church, social institutions, government and the general marketplace. The target date for enrolling the center’s first students is the fall semester of 2001.
Vaughn is a native of Huntsville and has taught history at Judson College for Women in Marion since 1997. She has studied and provided leadership in numerous areas of women’s studies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and master of arts and doctor of philosophy degrees in history from Auburn University.
‘Excellent background’
Thomas E. Corts, president of Samford, said Vaughn “has an excellent academic background, as well as a caring and compassionate heart for the unused leadership capacity of contemporary church women. Samford and WMU are counting on her to implement the program and keep it focused on the most important issues.”
WMU executive director Wanda Lee also described Vaughn as an “excellent choice” for directing the emerging Christian Women’s Leadership Center. “She understands the hopes and dreams of WMU and Samford for developing the leadership skills of women.
“But most of all,” Lee added, “she has demonstrated the commitment to develop a top quality center where women can pursue the needed skills to follow God’s call in their lives.”
“It is a privilege and a joy to highlight and encourage Christian women’s leadership — past, present and future,” Vaughn said of her appointment. “We know from history and personal experiences that everyone benefits from the cultural influence and leadership of Christian women.”
While details of the program are still being developed, Vaughn said the goal is to develop a broadly based program in which women can build their own course of study to meet their vocational needs. She said it could be through an advanced degree, a concurrent degree program, a concentration or continuing education units.
Individual programs
“We envision a unique core curriculum in Christian women’s leadership to support students’ individual interests in business, public policy, education, healthcare and the church,” she said. Vaughn said the partners in this effort would also bring a powerful dynamic to the development of the center.
Corts and Lee said their commitment to the center is based on the ever-increasing role women play in society.
“We are joining forces to create a Christian Women’s Leadership Center to confront issues of significance to women and to do so from a Christian perspective,” said Corts. “Women are major forces in Christian churches around the world, and many vital concerns weigh heavier upon women than men in our society.
“To work with WMU, the premier Christian women’s organization in endeavors of this type, is totally compatible with Samford’s mission and with our understanding of the Christian gospel,” he said. Lee agreed, describing WMU and Samford University as “perfect partners for bringing a program such as this into existence.’’ Lee, who became executive director of the national organization March 1, was serving as WMU’s national president and chair of the executive board when discussions with Samford began.
“We share the common desire of providing a place of study that recognizes and affirms the giftedness of women in the area of leadership,” she commented. “It is our hope that Christian women in all walks of life will be able to receive the educational tools to pursue whatever God has called them to do in the church, community and professionally.”
Vaughn also said having the Dr. Eleanor F. Terry Chair for Christian Women’s Leadership at the Center affirms the program’s values.
“Dr. Terry’s own example and influence will inspire all who participate in the program,” she said.
Terry died July 20, 1998, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Durban, South Africa. A native of Vicksburg, Miss., Terry held bachelor and master degrees in English from Mississippi College and a doctor of philosophy degree in higher and adult education administration from the University of Missouri.
She was a public school teacher, professor and associate dean at William Jewell College in Missouri, and director of graduate studies and assistant professor of administration at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham. In the weeks preceding her untimely death, she had discussed the directorship of the center with leaders of both Samford and WMU.
“Eleanor’s life was about missions and ministry,” said Bob Terry. “Whether it was as a public school teacher, a church worker or a college administrator, Eleanor was about helping people. She also had a deep commitment and passion for women to be trained for leadership roles.”
Persons wishing to make additional gifts to the Christian Women’s Leadership Center, National WMU or Samford University may contact Alan Medders at the WMU Foundation, 1-877-482-4483, or Perry Relfe at Samford University, 1-877-782-5867.
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