President Fagerstrom Honored as 2009 Bethel Seminary Alumnus of the Year
Sep 4, 2009
Dr. Douglas Fagerstrom, president of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary (GRTS), was named the 2009 Bethel Seminary alumnus of the year.
Fagerstrom graduated from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., in 1983 with a master’s degree in religious education. Previously, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Cornerstone University. He also achieved a doctor of ministry degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago.
Since 1973, Doug has served in full-time ministry positions including youth pastor, minister of music and executive pastor at churches in Michigan, Colorado and Minnesota. He has spoken at conference, taught at the college and seminary levels, authored several ministry related books, trained church planters, and led the Network of Single Adult Leaders as executive director for 12 years. Since 2004, he has served as president of Grand Rapids Theological Seminary.
Bethel Seminary hosted a dinner in his honor on June 22 at the new Brushaber Commons at Bethel’s main campus. An evening program followed during which he was named alumnus of the year. Fagerstrom, who did not know of the dinner celebration beforehand, was on Bethel’s campus as the keynote speaker for a pastor’s gathering. Donna Fagerstrom, Darci and Jay Irwin (daughter and son-in-law), additional family members, friends from Minneapolis, and several GRTS colleagues were in on the surprise and traveled to Minneapolis to participate in the celebration. Please join the GRTS community in congratulating President Douglas Fagerstrom for this distinct honor.
