The other panelists will include: Dr. Mary D. Donovan, leading historian of women in the Episcopal Church, and author of A Different Call: Women's Ministries in the Episcopal Church, 1850-1920; the Rev. Dr. Frederick Quinn, Episcopal priest and historian, author of more than 18 books, and retired senior foreign service officer who served embassies in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean; the Honorable Byron Rushing, State Representative of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1983, and an original sponsor of the gay rights bill and chief sponsor of the law to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in public schools; and the Rev. Dr. Kevin G. Thew Forrester, ministry developer and rector of St. John's Negaunee and St. Paul's Marquette in the Diocese of Northern Michigan, and one of the founders of "Living Stones," the Ministry Development Collaborative, and LifeCycles, an adult formation resource. A reception will follow the discussion.

Since joining the faculty in 1983, "Thompsett has proven herself to be a brilliant teacher, an astute administrator, a dramatic preacher, and a constant friend," an EDS news release said. "As a distinguished scholar and captivating lecturer, she has offered a variety of popular classes and continuing education programs. As academic dean (1986-1999), Thompsett challenged EDS to uphold its high academic standards, and recruited most of the current faculty. A veteran of innumerable national and international Episcopal committees and boards, she has been one of the primary ambassadors of the school for the past 25 years.

"Fortunately for the EDS community, Thompsett has no plans to go quietly into retirement. She will continue to teach courses in Anglican studies and church history, as well as in ministry development and baptismal leadership. She will also continue as a consultant to EDS' baptismal leadership project, funded through the Lilly Endowment. Thompsett plans to focus her creativity and power in the direction of projects closest to her heart. One of those projects is baptismal leadership. With her permission, EDS is establishing the Fredrica Harris Thompsett Leadership Education Fund. The income from this fund will provide scholarships for laity and clergy to attend courses and programs at EDS. Expectantly, this fund will enable EDS to serve a wider population."

Thompsett's celebration coincides with EDS' annual Kellogg Lectures and Alumni/ae Days. The Rev. Canon Marilyn McCord Adams, Episcopal priest and Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford University, the 2008 Kellogg lecturer, will deliver three addresses: Horrors, Christ, and Holiness on May 1 and 2.

To attend the panel discussion honoring Thompsett, RSVP to Priscilla Burns at pburns@eds.edu or at 617-682-1506. For more information on Alumni/ae Days and the Kellogg Lectures, visit the Alumni/ae and Friends page on the EDS website, or to register contact Priscilla Burns at pburns@eds.edu or at 617-682-1506. EDS is located at 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. This event is handicap accessible. Participants are encouraged to take public transportation as parking is limited. There is a $10 charge for parking in the EDS lot.