A New Look for Theological Alumni Studies

ABSTRACT Alumni studies among Protestant theological seminaries are not commonplace. This article reports on an alumni study completed in 1996. It differs from other studies in that it incorporates the use of a new state-of-the-art marketing research approach that focuses on soliciting alumni suggestions for improvement (Waddell, Summer 1995), rather than on traditional rankings ranging from very satisfied through very dissatisfied. Through the study, the institution involved was able to determine: A reasonably good overall satisfaction level with the school, some intense concerns with one of the denominations it serves and suggestions for improvement. A very high level of satisfaction from its graduates with a ministerial career and their plans to remain in church related occupations. A need to improve its curriculum by adding more study of day-today management issues facing ministers. Areas in which the school's educational and spiritual environments needed improvement. The unique importance of faculty ...