The list of Founding Partners has grown to 33 this week with partnership letters received from Cincinnati Christian University and the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.

“I am pleased to write this letter of partnership.” wrote CCU President David Faust, “to express the desire of Cincinnati Christian University to become a  Founding Partner of the Academy of Preachers.”  He points out that several current and former students are registered for the Festival of Young Preachers in January; these are Alex Williams, Beret Fawbush, and Patrick Garcia–plus another who is in the process of submitting his paperwork for placement on the waiting list. Cincinnati Christian University has both undergraduate and graduate programs, including Cincinnati Christian Seminary.

Many consider Morehouse to be the most prestigious historically black institution of higher learning in the United States. It is a college in Atlanta, sitting adjacent to Spelman College (for women) and the Interdenominational Theological Center. The chapel is named for its most famous alumnus, the Nobel Prize-winning Baptist preacher, Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I am pleased,” wrote Dean of the Chapel Lawrence Carter,” to join this distinguish group of Founding Partners and to serve on the Board of Advisors.” Carter is one of 12 persons from 4 states on the Board of Advisors.

The six Morehouse men registered for the Festival of Young Preachers include: Reginald Sharpe, Nicholas Richards, Tyrone McGowan, Willie Francois, Jordan Casson and David McGruder. This total of six, which includes 2 alumni, matches the 6 undergraduates and graduates from Campbellsville University in Kentucky. When current and former students are totaled only Georgetown College has more, with 2 undergraduates and 6 graduates who are registered.

The goal of the Academy is to have 50 Founding Partners by March 1, 2010. Several other schools and organizations are processing their partnership status through institutional channels. For more information including a list of all 33 Founding Partners, see the link BE A PARTNER elsewhere on this web site.