by Nancy D. Borst

The Committee on Theological Education presented its Award for Excellence in Theological Education to Henry Luce III.

Luce is the oldest son of Henry R. Luce, the founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc., which publishes Time and Fortune magazines and used to publish LIFE. He was recognized for contributions to PC(USA) seminaries by the Henry Luce Foundation, which since 1964 has given 35 grants to Presbyterians totaling more than $11 million.

Luce, who was hailed as a "philanthropist par excellence," received a gold medallion.

Luce said in brief remarks that the foundation is a living memorial to his grandparents, Presbyterian missionaries in China who blazed a trail for modern education in the country.

Luce served on the board of Princeton Theological Seminary for 35 years before becoming a trustee emeritus in 2000. He and his wife, Leila, are members of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City, where Luce is an elder.

The award was established in 1996 to honor people who have supported theological education in the PC(USA).