November 7, 2011
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Front row (l-r): Audrey, Jillian, Bronwen, Lauren. Second row (seated): Barbara and Paul. Third row: Jordan, Lisa, Todd, Brooks, Barbara, Melissa. Back row: Bridger, Quinn, Luke, Piers.
Nick Kight, Class of 2012 Student at Huntington University
It all began in Shakespeare class. Paul “Papa” Fetters and Barbara Mull did not fall in love immediately. Yet Paul and Barbara would eventually begin a relationship that would leave behind a legacy of future Fetters family members — most of whom would one day enroll at Huntington University.
Paul heard about Huntington College from Zion United Brethren in Christ Church in Willshire, Ohio. Walter Winkler, Paul’s Sunday school teacher, frequently took his students to Huntington’s campus for college events, conventions and Christian Life Emphasis Week.
Paul never intended to enroll in college. However, during his junior year of high school, he became a follower of Jesus Christ and felt the call to Christian ministry.
“I reckoned if I wanted to be a United Brethren pastor, I should go to a United Brethren college,” Paul said.
Paul worked his way through college at Schacht’s Rubber Company in Huntington, and spent his spare time volunteering with Gospel Volunteers and Clericus, campus organizations dedicated to preparing people for ministry and missions.
Following 16 years of pastoral ministry, Bishop George Weaver of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and then-Huntington College President E. DeWitt Baker requested Paul return to direct the new Graduate School of Christian Ministries. Under his care, the program took new directions coupled with the fulfillment of requirements for accreditation. Soon, that five-year stay extended to a 25-year appointment.
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