The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge

On May 24, 2023, at the 72nd Commencement of Seminary of the Southwest, the Rt. Rev. Kathryn Ryan, Chair of the Southwest Board of Trustees and Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Texas, made a surprise announcement of the creation of the Cynthia Briggs Kittredge Dean’s Leadership Chair. Announced on the occasion of her 10 year anniversary as Dean and President of Seminary of the Southwest, this permanent endowment fund will provide for the salary and benefits for Southwest’s Dean and President for the remainder of Dean Kittredge’s tenure, and in support of all deans who follow in her footsteps to lead the seminary into the future.

“What an extraordinary honor and happy surprise to receive this announcement in the final moments of the glorious commencement,” said Dean Kittredge. “I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity of the friends and colleagues who have created this Leadership Fund. The flourishing of Seminary of the Southwest over these ten years has come through the creative energy of this community with the action of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God!”

With the fundraising effort now revealed, Southwest now invites its broader community of alumni and friends to show their support of Kittredge and the transformational change Southwest has experienced under her leadership.

Those who wish to support the Cynthia Briggs Kittredge Dean’s Leadership Chair can do so at: ssw.edu/kittredgechair.

The surprise announcement came after months of quiet fundraising unbeknownst to Kittredge. The effort began with a few key supporters reaching out wanting to honor her tremendous legacy with a significant show of support, and then quickly grew into a small cadre of long-time colleagues, board members, and friends to raise $3,750,000 of the $4,500,000 goal.

“This endowment fund will ensure that Southwest will forever be able to attract and retain the highest quality leadership, including what we hope will be many more years under Dean Cynthia Briggs Kittredge,” said Bishop Ryan in her announcement. “This is a transformational thing, but it is still too small a thing, Cynthia.”