MARION, Ohio – A United Church Homes’ executive and former member of the UCH Board of Directors was recently selected to take the helm of the Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging.

Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, a longtime supporter of UCH, will be charged with shaping the newly formed center, an initiative that serves as a lasting tribute to Ruth Frost Parker. Frost Parker’s generosity helped create the senior healthcare and residential campus of Parkvue Community in Sandusky, Ohio.

The center, which was launched last year, provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and innovation in the fields of senior services, higher education, research, and advocacy. The center’s first annual symposium drew nearly 200 people and award-winning journalist and former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden served as the keynote speaker.

Long-Higgins, of Canal Winchester, said the symposium is the center’s signature event and added that additional educational and outreach programs will help better educate the community about aging.

“I am excited about the possibilities (of the Ruth Parker Center). This is just the beginning. It will be interesting to see the ways we can grow,” Long-Higgins said.

Long-Higgins has deep roots with UCH and played an integral role with the nonprofit, faith-based organization’s Board of Directors for six years, starting in 2007. She joined the corporate office in Marion in 2013 as the director of community and church relations and most recently served as the director of outreach and mission integration.

Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes, said he is confident Long-Higgins can move the Center for Abundant Aging forward. “Beth is the ideal director for the center because of her leadership skills, long history with United Church Homes, and her ability to inspire and engage the community,” Rev. Daniel said.

She has been a pastor for 29 years and is the former co-pastor of David’s United Church of Christ in Canal Winchester. Long-Higgins also has a bachelor of science degree in psychology and piano from Heidelberg University and a Master of Divinity from United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities.

About United Church Homes: United Church Homes has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of seniors for a century. The nonprofit, faith-based organization is one of the largest providers of senior living, with more than 1,500 dedicated staff serving 4,500 residents of all faiths in 69 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two native American reservations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.

Contact: Tiffany Latta, United Church Homes Communications Department, 740-382-4884, ext. 2012, or tlatta@uchinc.org.