An international couple presently living in Switzerland were named joint recipients of the seventh “ alumnus-of-the-year” award during Eastern Mennonite College’s Alumni Association banquet April 28.
Arnoo (C 61) and Jacqueline (C 60, Sng61) Thimm received the award in absentia from Harley R. Showalter, Alumni Association president.
Dr. Albert N. Keim, associate professor of history at EMC and a personal friend of the Thimms, accepted the award on their behalf.
“Our first reaction was tears, because we are much too young and we have not even done all we could or should have done,” the couple responded in a written statement. “We always remember EMC as an important place in our lives,” they added, “ not only because we, Jackie and Arno, met there, but because our lives have been greatly enriched through the fellowship of Christians there and the humble spirit of service of the teachers.”
In addition to noting their individual accomplishments, the alumni citation commended the Thimms for “joyous and devoted service” in these areas:
—“ For rearing your family of three children with firm love and understanding; seeking to implant in them a deep appreciation of God, the Holy Scriptures, the free church and the Christian’s ministry to the world.
–“ For sharing your buoyant faith through personal witness in the churches of Switzerland, South Germany and Eastern France.
—“ For exemplifying the faith and service ideals of Eastern Mennonite College in both life and vocation.
—“ For personifying the quality of international alumni EMC is proud to share with the peoples of the world.”
Thimm, an instructor at the European Mennonite Bible School at Bienenberg, Switzerland, also directs European Mennonite youth ministries, which includes counselling work and coordinating church-sponsored peace projects.
Prior to this, the Pfalz, Germany native served as pastor and bishop of four Mennonite churches in South Germany for seven years.
Mrs. Thimm, the former Jacqueline A. Richardson from Dalat, Vietnam, is a housewife and teacher of religious studies at the Bienenberg school. She also assists her husband in church-related ministries.
Mrs. Thimm was the first woman to attend Eastern Mennonite Seminary. During the summer months the couple directs Bible-work campus and leads church seminars in various European countries.
Their children are: Paul, 11; Pierrette, 7; and Iris, 5.
Published 1973 in Crossroads.