The Rev. Kathleene Card and Franklin Pierce University President Andrew Card visited SMU’s Perkins School of Theology on Friday as part of the Personal Life|Personal Faith Colloquium to discuss how their faith impacts their careers.
The Rev. Card is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church and her husband Franklin Pierce University President Card has an extensive history in politics, most notably as Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush.
President Card was the first to inform President Bush about the 9/11 attacks. First Lady Laura Bush asked the Rev. Card to counsel the many White House employees who wanted to leave their positions following the terrorist attacks. The Rev. Card said during this counseling she tried to “give the necessary comfort that the Lord provides.”
President Card recalled his wife’s journey to becoming a minister. “There was an aura about her,” he said. “It was something that was very special, which was her relationship with the Lord.”
He added that his wife’s pursuit of her own faith “helped [him] in [his] journey in faith.”
Perkins professor Ted Campbell, who mediated discussion, asked President Card about other topics, such as immigration reform. He answered, “I’d like to see more people as citizens, not guests.”
However, he added that most people in the U.S. do not know what its like to make the decision to come to this country. He even related the subject back to his faith. “The church itself has not been as inviting to people that are different, “ he said.
And in his current job, he is striving to encourage religious faith in a school that he feels is more secular. “I feel I’m in a time to lead the university in transformation in a noble way . . . it’s a great calling.”
SMU alumna Katherine Glaze Lyle enjoyed the way the Cards explained their focus on not setting boundaries between their careers and their religion. “We are so quick to draw boundaries today,” she said. “But that doesn’t take you anywhere.”
The event was a precursor to a luncheon, featuring further discussion with the Cards. The luncheon is a substantial fundraiser for the Perkins School of Theology. Both events took place in the Great Hall of Elizabeth Prothro Hall.
The colloquium was free and open to the public. The audience of about 40 consisted mainly of Perkins faculty and members of the Highland Park community.
