A Rich History Built on a Firm Foundation.
Women have been an integral part of Southwestern from its inception. In fact, during the first school year in 1908, 15 percent of Southwestern's students were women. When the seminary moved to Fort Worth from Baylor University's campus in 1910, the Women's Missionary Training School began and was eventually housed in the women's building.
Through the past 100 years, Southwestern has continued to add new programs tailored to specific woman-to-woman ministries. Women can pursue a masters of divinity in women's studies with Greek and Hebrew and core courses in theological preparation. A women's ministry concentration is available within the Master of Arts in Christian Education, and women can also pursue the leadership certificate in women's ministry if they are already actively serving in their local church.
Seminary presidents' wives have historically been influential in keeping women involved on campus. Neppie Scarborough started Metochai in 1939, an organization for student wives still active in seminary life today. Paula Hemphill created and launched the Seminary Studies for Student Wives program, offering personal and academic development in preparation for ministry. The addition of current first lady Dr. Dorothy Patterson to the School of Theology faculty led to the establishment of a concentration in women's studies within the Master of Divinity in 2004 and a mentoring, interdisciplinary component in the Doctor of Philosophy program for women in 2007. Since Patterson developed this curriculum more than three decades ago at the Criswell College, she has trained women to be able to defend biblical truth, whether in the home, the church, the community, or on the mission field.
Also in 2007, Dr. Terri Stovall was named dean of women's programs, catapulting Southwestern again to the forefront in equipping women for kingdom ministry. In addition, the College at Southwestern introduced a homemaking concentration within the Bachelor of Arts in humanities. As Southwestern celebrates more than 100 years of women's programs, we reflect on the amazing women of God who built our rich history in studies here. Won't you be a part of our future?