By Thomas Delamater
BIG SANDY--In addition to his responsibilities as pastor general of the Worldwide Church of God, Joseph W. Tkach, who died Sept. 23, served as chairman of the board of regents of Ambassador University.
To honor the legacy and life's work of Mr. Tkach, his fellow board members established the Joseph W. Tkach Endowed Chair in Theology at the university. It will provide funding for a specially designated faculty position in the Theology Department, and for related expenses.
An alumnus himself, Mr. Tkach loved Ambassador University. He traveled to the campus several times each year, for orientation activities, alumni homecoming celebrations, commencement exercises and meetings of the board. He often spoke of the university's importance to the church and to society.
In the March "Personal," Mr. Tkach wrote: "Ambassador's dedication to Jesus Christ and his gospel message is a magnet for students who come to Ambassador to obtain the all-important knowledge of Christ's sacrifice for us and the effect it has on our lives."
He continued: "At Ambassador, education in leadership is based on Jesus Christ's own personal example and his teachings in the Gospels. Christ summed up the law of God as love--love for God and love for fellow humans. Ambassador stands on this sure foundation and is dedicated to right thinking combined with right living."
During Mr. Tkach's tenure as chairman of the board, Ambassador grew to unprecedented heights of service and scholarship. Ten new buildings were built, including a lecture hall, two classroom and office buildings, an administration building and five residence halls.
New majors were added to expand Ambassador's academic offerings, and the university was accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Intercollegiate athletics returned after a 12-year absence, and the groundwork was laid for Ambassador's own public radio station, KBAU-FM, which now broadcasts music, news and public affairs to the East Texas area 24 hours a day.
Shortly before his death in September, the board approved the renaming of the university's administration building as the Joseph W. Tkach Hall of Administration.
Beyond his work on behalf of Ambassador, Mr. Tkach set an example for Christians everywhere of steadfast dedication to biblical truth. Because of this, the university board believed it was fitting that an endowed chair be established in his honor in the Theology Department.
The university's goal is to build the endowment to $1 million. This fund will help the university pay the salary and related expenses for a specially appointed faculty member in the Theology Department. Funds will be raised from private sources, including foundations, corporations and individuals.
As publisher of our magazine for nearly a decade, Mr. Tkach inspired millions of readers with his enthusiasm for the gospel of Christ. If your life was touched by his love and Christian example, and you would like to contribute to this fund in his memory, please send your donation to the Institutional Advancement Office at Ambassador University, Big Sandy, Texas, 75755. All contributions are tax-deductible in the United States and Canada.
For more information about the Joseph W. Tkach Endowed Chair in Theology or Ambassador University in general, please call 1-903-636-2040.
[ Worldwide Church of God | The Worldwide News | The Worldwide News - December 19, 1995 ]
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