[Nashville, TN] – May 1, 2025 – Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School has received a generous commitment from Cal Turner Jr. and Hoyt R. Barnett for the new Turner-Barnett Program for Pastoral Formation, which will provide mentorship, scholarships and congregational connections that will fuel real-world impact in the changing field of congregational ministry.
Turner and Barnett’s gift represents the enthusiasm of the Vanderbilt Divinity School to support congregational ministry during a time when pastors are faced with a rapidly changing world and complex challenges. Their visionary support is leading the way in advancing Vanderbilt’s commitment to innovation and strengthening the school’s position as a leader in shaping the future of pastoral formation.
“The Turner-Barnett Program for Pastoral Formation will be an empowering resource for students—enabling them to find lifelong mentorship to assuage clergy burnout and isolation,” said Yolanda Pierce, dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School. “Mr. Turner and Mr. Barnett’s generous commitment to our community exemplifies the bold vision we have at VDS to help prepare our students for the practice of Christian ministry and public leadership.”
The gift will establish three main goals. First, the program will support two cohorts of three students who have demonstrated a clear vocational focus on pastoral ministry by providing them with full tuition scholarships and stipends. The second goal is congregational connections, which will include placing these students in a local congregation for the duration of their time at VDS. Lastly, the program will greatly enhance mentoring support for these students by appointing a new Bishop in Residence William T. (“Bill”) McAlilly, who previously served as bishop of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. Bishop McAlilly will collaborate with Associate Dean James P. Byrd to lead the program and manage its connections both within VDS and with congregational leaders.
The Turner-Barnett Program will welcome its first students in the 2026–27 academic year. This new mentor-driven program, focused
more deliberately on pastoral formation, will enhance the school’s curriculum, including its renowned field education program, to prepare future leaders while prioritizing their well-being.
“Our troubled society greatly needs effective pastors on the front line of human need,” said Turner. “Our foundation seeks to help Vanderbilt Divinity School meet that need in our region.” Turner is an American
businessman and philanthropist. He served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Dollar General, founded by his father, Cal Turner Sr. Currently the chairman of the Cal Turner Family Foundation, he is also the founder of The Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership in the Professions at Vanderbilt Divinity School.
Barnett, a longtime business leader and philanthropist with deep family ties to Vanderbilt, said, “We are excited to support this ministry education program at Vanderbilt. We are happy to do so. My grandfather received a degree from Vanderbilt in the early 20th century, so our family is thrilled to help transform the next generation of religious leaders.”
Barnett served over 50 years at Publix retiring in 2019 as Vice Chairman emeritus. Barnett and his late wife, Carol Jenkins Barnett, have been recognized for their leadership and philanthropic commitment to the community. His grandfather received the Founder’s Medal when he graduated from the Divinity School, awarded to the student receiving the highest honor from each school.
Dare to Grow
Turner and Barnett’s generous investment in pastoral formation at Vanderbilt Divinity School fuels the extraordinary momentum of our historic Dare to Grow campaign, which surpassed its initial goal last fall and continues to push the boundaries for what’s possible to make an impact that resonates across campus and around the world. Support for the Dare to Grow campaign catalyzes some of the university’s most groundbreaking initiatives, including the Institute of National Security, Vandy United, Vanderbilt’s enhanced presences in New York City and West Palm Beach, signature programs like Opportunity Vanderbilt, Residential Colleges and many more.
-Haley Bower
Assistant Director of Communications, Vanderbilt Divinity School