Spring Break
Trustees should follow lead of First Lady
Issue date: 2/27/07 Section: Opinion
6) Jeanne L. Phillips became senior vice president of corporate affairs and international relations at Hunt Oil Company in 2005. According to her official U.S. Department of State biography, Phillips "served as Senior Advisor for National Finance in the Presidential campaign of George W. Bush, developing the original fundraising plan and structure for the finance organization." In 2001 she was appointed ambassador to France and permanent representative to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development by President Bush. She told The New York Times on Jan. 2, 2005, that she had been a close friend of the Bushes since 1979 when she worked as a fundraiser with George H.W. Bush. She postponed her wedding plans to chair Bush's 2005 inaugural events.
7) Donald J. Carty is chair of Virgin America and former chair and CEO of American Airlines. He contributed $100,000 to the Bush 2005 presidential inaugural gala. President Bush appointed Carty in 2002 to the National Infrastructure Advisory Board.
8) Rev. W. Mark Craig is senior pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. He has been the long-time pastor to George W. Bush and his family.
We call upon these eight trustees to recuse themselves, along with any others who have had noteworthy personal, political or financial dealings with George W. Bush. The proposed Bush Complex will significantly affect SMU and The United Methodist Church that founded it. Such a decision requires objectivity unencumbered by personal considerations.
About the writers:
Andrew J. Weaver, Ph.D., is a United Methodist minister and research psychologist living in New York City. He is a graduate of Perkins School of Theology.
C. Joseph Sprague is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the Northern Illinois and Chicago Episcopal area from 1996 to 2004. He lives in London, Ohio.
Kenneth W. Hicks is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the Arkansas (1976 to 1984) and Kansas (1984 to 1992) Episcopal areas. He lives in Little Rock, Ark.
Joseph H. Yeakel is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the New York West (1972 to 1984) and Baltimore-Washington (1984 to 1996) Episcopal areas. He lives in Smithburg, Md.
7) Donald J. Carty is chair of Virgin America and former chair and CEO of American Airlines. He contributed $100,000 to the Bush 2005 presidential inaugural gala. President Bush appointed Carty in 2002 to the National Infrastructure Advisory Board.
8) Rev. W. Mark Craig is senior pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas. He has been the long-time pastor to George W. Bush and his family.
We call upon these eight trustees to recuse themselves, along with any others who have had noteworthy personal, political or financial dealings with George W. Bush. The proposed Bush Complex will significantly affect SMU and The United Methodist Church that founded it. Such a decision requires objectivity unencumbered by personal considerations.
About the writers:
Andrew J. Weaver, Ph.D., is a United Methodist minister and research psychologist living in New York City. He is a graduate of Perkins School of Theology.
C. Joseph Sprague is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the Northern Illinois and Chicago Episcopal area from 1996 to 2004. He lives in London, Ohio.
Kenneth W. Hicks is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the Arkansas (1976 to 1984) and Kansas (1984 to 1992) Episcopal areas. He lives in Little Rock, Ark.
Joseph H. Yeakel is a retired United Methodist Bishop who served the New York West (1972 to 1984) and Baltimore-Washington (1984 to 1996) Episcopal areas. He lives in Smithburg, Md.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 9
Asad Rahman
posted 2/27/07 @ 10:25 AM EST
Gentlemen,
I might check your facts once more. Sadly, Mr. Dedman passed away a couple of years. I would also encourage you to look at a current list of trustees and to their status. (Continued…)
Cristin Lavelle
posted 2/27/07 @ 12:08 PM EST
These trustees are not appointed by George Bush. They do not owe him anything - rather, it sounds like George may be the one owing them a favor.
Family names like the Hunts, Altshulers, the Dedmans, the Sewells, the Coxes, and the Fords are synonemous with SMU itself. (Continued…)
Mark
posted 2/27/07 @ 4:02 PM EST
Ok, we get it, you're all former or current ministers. BUT YOU DO NOT OWN THIS SCHOOL, NOR DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS CONCERNING THIS SCHOOL.
That being said, Have a nice day. (Continued…)
JKC
posted 2/27/07 @ 4:40 PM EST
Dear Asad Rahman:
While I don't feel there is a need for the Trustee's to step down, Dedman is on the Board. His father passed away several years ago. (Continued…)
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