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The Fund for Theological Education

Announces New Trustee Homebuilding Philanthropist John Wieland Appointed to FTE Board

ATLANTA, December 6, 2006 – The Fund for Theological Education (FTE)

announced today the appointment of John Wieland to its Board of Trustees, elected by

the Association of Theological Schools. Wieland is chairman and chief creative officer of

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods.

Wieland will serve a three-year term, advancing the Fund’s mission to encourage

a new generation of gifted young people to consider vocations in ministry and

theological scholarship. FTE annually awards more than $1.2 million in fellowships and

support to undergraduate, seminary and doctoral students who are named as FTE

Fellows.

“We value the tremendous dedication to the church and community service John

Wieland brings to FTE,” said the Rev. Ann Svennungsen, president of The Fund for

Theological Education. “His vision and energy will advance our efforts to help provide

congregations and seminaries with the next generation of exceptional and racially

diverse leaders.”

Wieland started his company in 1970 and has built approximately 30,000 homes

in the Southeast. He has received 500 awards for excellence, including National Builder

of the Year by Professional Builder Magazine. A 34-year member of Atlanta’s North

Avenue Presbyterian Church, Wieland has directed numerous church committees

including the World Missions Conference and the Board of Deacons.

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Wieland also is a community service leader and has served as chairman of

several organizations: the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta,

the Advisory Council for Emory University’s Center for Ethics, Emory’s Board of Visitors,

the High Museum of Art, and the High Museum’s Building Committee. He currently is a

member of the Board of Trustees and Treasurer of the Hirshhorn Museum and

Sculpture Garden, a division of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. He also

serves on the Piedmont Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees and on the Executive

Committee of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Wieland has received numerous civic recognitions. He has been named to the

Georgia State University Robinson College of Business Hall of Fame and the Junior

Achievement Business Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Sue, were named Philanthropists

of the Year for Georgia in 2005 and received the Alexis de Tocqueville Award from the

United Way in 2006.

FTE is a leading national advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian

ministry and theological scholarship. It also is a resource for educational and faith

communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore

vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based organization has

awarded more than 5,800 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality

leadership for the church. Information about FTE is available on the Web at

www.thefund.org.

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