Kathy and Mark Melhorn Commit $1.4M to Flourish Campaign

Former Trustee Kathy Melhorn and her husband, Mark, have made a $1.4 million commitment to Flourish: A Campaign for Bethany Theological Seminary. The Melhorns, who live in Wichita, Kansas, have made an estate gift that can be used to fund a variety of needs at the Seminary. They have also made an additional gift to support faculty innovation and creativity. The gift establishes the Ramsey-Melhorn Faculty Innovation Fund.

“We have been dedicated supporters of the Seminary for many years. Both of us had fathers who served the church as pastors, leaders and teachers, so we are pleased to continue that legacy in support of the Flourish campaign,” says Kathy Melhorn. “It is so important that academic institutions make space for new ideas while continuing to fulfill their established missions. We are delighted to help encourage the innovation and creativity of present and future Bethany faculty with this gift.”

The Melhorn’s generosity will help the Seminary to support the needs of future generations of faculty and students. They are also providing a new source of funding to help Bethany faculty have the time and resources they need to conduct research, travel to share their scholarship at professional meetings, and develop new courses in response to the evolving interests and needs of students and the church. President Jeff Carter underscores the transformational nature of this gift.

“This gift will help ensure that Bethany’s work with students will never be at risk. Kathy and Mark will help us to imagine future possibilities in theological education and to be open to new opportunities to help our students grow intellectually and spiritually,” says President Carter. “Without proper financial resources, a seminary may be focused simply on surviving. With this gift, the Seminary will have opportunities to flourish for generations to come.”

Kathy Melhorn is the daughter of the late Duane Ramsey, who served as pastor of Washington City Church of the Brethren for 45 years. Mark is the son of Jack Melhorn, who was a college professor and  also an ordained minister in the Church of the Brethren.

Both Kathy and Mark Melhorn are medical doctors. Kathy Melhorn, now retired, is a pediatrician whose career focused on treating children suffering from abuse and neglect. Mark Melhorn is a surgeon who specializes in hands and upper extremities.

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