Pastor, editor, ecumenist and ecclesiastical statesman, he is the first bishop assigned to the South Central Jurisdiction from the former Evangelical United Brethren Church. Illinois born and bred, his ministry has ranged over his home state, Pennsylvania, Kansas and now Oklahoma (with interim assignments in Asia and Europe). A vigorous leader, he is also a sensitive and perceptive listener. A far-visioned advocate of renewal, he is also deeply concerned for consensus and concord as prime values in vital progress in church and society. In recognition of the rich heritage he brings to the newly constituted United Methodist Church and as a gesture of cordial welcome to our Jurisdiction and University, SMU takes great pride in this opportunity to confer upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.