Four Hendrix College alumni were recently ordained and commissioned into the Arkansas United Methodist Church

Four Hendrix College alumni were recently ordained and commissioned into the Arkansas United Methodist Church during Annual Conference 2025: Rev. Ellen Gotelli Rowland ’18, Rev. Abbey Maynard ’19, Rev. Chad Hornsby ’20, and Rev. Miranda Donakey Hornsby ’18.

Hendrix College, one of the United Methodist church-related colleges across the US, began nearly 150 years ago by a Methodist Episcopal Church minister, Rev. Isham L. Burrow. Building on the strong tradition of creating avenues for education, three Methodist colleges merged and eventually became Hendrix in  Conway, Arkansas. The hallmarks of Hendrix continue to be a small, liberal-arts, residential college that focuses on intellectual inquiry, strong academics, experiential learning, and intentional mentoring from faculty and staff.

The College provides a robust religious studies program combined with co-curricular experiences in ministry exploration through peer and mentor support, service-learning trips, and internships in churches. These opportunities create spaces for students to consider ordination and full-time professional ministry in the United Methodist Church. 

Rev. Miranda Donakey Hornsby grew up in the United Methodist Church in the family of a UMC minister in Louisiana. Now serving as the Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Conway, she says, “Hendrix prepared me as a whole person; academically as I pursued seminary, on a spiritual level as I discerned a call to ministry, and as a citizen to engage and transform the world. The Hendrix UMYF Scholarship program, being in community with other students discerning a call to ministry, and being a chaplain associate to engage actively in ministry, as well as internships for practical experience all helped me to know I wanted to do work to make a difference in the world through the church.”

The College began the United Methodist Youth Fellowship Leadership Scholars program in 1996 and will soon celebrate 30 years of students attending Hendrix specifically to engage in ministries related to the UMC. At the heart of the UMYF Scholars are students who feel called to ordained or professional ministry. Since 2004, 63 Hendrix graduates have enrolled in seminary with 75% of these students attending UMC seminaries. All four of the recently ordained and commissioned Hendrix alumni either attended Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary or Candler School of Theology, two United Methodist seminaries.  Hendrix students are encouraged to meet weekly with the college chaplain, Rev. Ellen Alston, and with peers who are discerning a call to ministry. 

“I think Hendrix’s wholistic approach to what it is to learn combined with critical thinking and engagement with other people prepares you for ministry,” noted Rev. Ellen Gotelli Rowland, who serves as the Director of Youth Ministries at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. “Professors and the college ministers recognized in the me the gifts for ordained ministry and gave me a chance to use them while I was a student at Hendrix.”

Students are encouraged to take a leadership role in Hendrix’s religious life by serving as “chaplain associates” by leading weekly worship, setting up weekly communion, or other necessary roles vital to the Office of the Chaplain.

“I was extremely prepared for my classes because of the academic rigor at Hendrix. I had a leg up in starting ministry because I did an internship with Conway FUMC and served as a chaplain associate. What I was taught in the classroom and what I experienced through participation in religious life helped me to feel more prepared to recognize a call during my internship with Ozark Mission Project,” said Rev. Abbey Maynard.

As a part of the college curriculum, students are expected to complete three experiential learning projects in order to graduate from the institution. Many pre-seminarians receive credit through internships in ministry or mission related settings as well as attend service-learning trips for further vocational exploration.

Rev. Chad Hornsby travelled with a group of students and the college chaplain to Taizé, France to participate in daily prayer with brothers of a monastic community along with young people throughout the world. He said, “My time at Hendrix taught me how to look outside myself and view with curiosity the experiences of others. I learned how to cooperate with people from different backgrounds and problem solve collaboratively.” 

About Hendrix College

Founded in 1876, Hendrix College is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges and celebrated among the country’s leading liberal arts colleges for academic quality, engaged learning opportunities and career preparation, vibrant campus life, and value. The Hendrix College Warriors compete in 21 NCAA Division III sports. Hendrix has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. Learn more at www.hendrix.edu.

“… Through engagement that links the classroom with the world, and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, justice, and sustainable living, the Hendrix community inspires students to lead lives of accomplishment, integrity, service, and joy.” –Hendrix College Statement of Purpose