Mamie Broadhurst, Pastor
mbroadhurst@upcbr.org

Mamie Broadhurst comes to University Presbyterian Church with a wide variety of experiences and gifts. Mamie started her professional career teaching US History in North Carolina to all levels of 11th graders within the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System after receiving her BA from UNC-Chapel Hill in Social Studies Education and American Studies. She then began a path that led her to Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) work in Guatemala, working with Guatemalans as a liaison with short-term mission groups. Her interest in YAV work continued at the Nashville Epiphany Project at Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville where she organized their on-site Room in the Inn program to provide food and shelter for homeless men and women, as well as preaching and leading classes on mission service. She then moved to the National Volunteers Office of the PC(USA) where she was the primary contact and advocate for 30 YAVs, coordinating the discernment process for the incoming class of YAVs, and adapting mission interpretation resources for their year-long service.

For more information on Mamie and the experience she brings to UPC click here.

Erin Tolar, Associate Pastor

Arriving August 1!  

Rev. Erin Tolar is thrilled to be joining the ministry of University Presbyterian Church. She is a graduate of DePauw University (music), Indiana University (Learning Sciences), and Columbia Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Practical Theology). Erin is coming to Baton Rouge from Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was a Resident Pastor at Myers Park Presbyterian Church and Amity Presbyterian Church. 

Erin is passionate about joyful welcome, inclusion, and belonging in the life of the church. Her Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) in Asheville, North Carolina fostered her passion for faith-based justice work. Much of Erin’s early faith and leadership development came from camp and conference centers like Massanetta Springs, Ferncliff, and Montreat, which continue to hold her heart. This breadth of experience has positioned her well for the faith formation and fellowship components of her call to UPC! In her down time, she loves to take ballet classes, play the piano, and sing. Her board game collection has now expanded to a second bookshelf and she enjoys staying in contact with family and friends all over the country.

Caralyn Durham, Office Manager
cdurham@upcbr.org

Caralyn brings a unique blend of professional expertise, faith, and warmth to her role as Office Manager at University Presbyterian Church (UPC). A proud graduate of Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana State University, where she earned a BFA in Graphic Design, Caralyn enjoyed a successful career as a designer before a serendipitous calling led her to UPC. She joined the staff in 2001 as Administrative Secretary and, through her dedication and leadership, was promoted to Office Manager in 2018. Her organizational skills and welcoming presence make her an invaluable part of our church community.

Caralyn is happily married to Jeff Janes, and together they share a bustling family of six children: Brandon, Taylor, and Dustin, along with stepchildren Austin, Brandon, and Paisley. Their home is also filled with the joy of four beloved “fur babies”—Abby, Elliot, Milo, and Bandit. Beyond her work at UPC, Caralyn and Jeff co-own Janes Aquatics, a swim school dedicated to teaching children and adults to swim while also coaching competitive swimmers to excel.

A passionate LSU Tigers fan, Caralyn cheers fervently for LSU football and baseball. In her free time, she loves traveling, crocheting, and cherishing moments with her family and pets. Whether she’s managing church operations, supporting her community, or spending time with loved ones, Caralyn’s enthusiasm and caring spirit shine through in all she does.

Ross Cawthon, Choir Director
rcawthon@upcbr.org

Ross comes to UPC from DeLand, Florida, where he taught chorus for eight years at DeLand High School and was the Music Director for Lake Helen United Church of Christ. Ross has sung with the Orlando Sings Symphonic Choir, Festival Singers of Florida, and various ensembles at the University of Florida. At UF, he earned both a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Choral Conducting degrees. He is currently pursing a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at LSU.

Christopher Cunningham, Keyboardist
ccunningham@upcbr.org

Christopher Cunningham is a conductor, pianist and composer from Pass Christian, Mississippi. An avid performer, he has performed throughout the southern United States as well as in Canada, Ireland, and Switzerland. Christopher holds a BA in Music with Concentrations in Piano Performance, and Music theory and Composition from Millsaps College. Christopher has also served in numerous church capacities: choir director and pianist for memorial United Methodist Church (Bolton, MS), member of the Evensong Choir St. James Episcopal Church, (Jackson, MS), percussionist for First Baptist Church, Jackson (Mississippi), and staff singer for St. James Catholic Church and St. Agnes Catholic Church (Baton Rouge, LA). Christopher has also worked with several children’s choirs in Mississippi and Louisiana. He currently attends Louisiana State University where he is pursuing an MM in Choral Conducting under Dr. Alissa Rowe.

Ethel Felder, Day School Director
upcdayschool@upcbr.org

Ethel Snowden Felder, was born in Oakland, CA. She is the sixth of seven children. Her family moved to Zachary, Louisiana in her early elementary years. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Speech Pathology & Audiology with a minor in Psychology from Southern University A&M College. In 2018 she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Science – Early Childhood Development.
She has many years of experience working with children, including raising her two children. She has over twenty years of varied classroom experience working with preschool and elementary school age children and four years of administration experience and leadership.
In August of 2010, she joined the University Presbyterian Church Day School as teacher in the two-year-old class and then as teacher in the four-year-old class. She accepted the position of Assistant Director in 2020. In July of 2024 she joined the University Presbyterian Church Staff, as Director of the Day School. Her goal along with the staff is to always provide a safe, loving, happy and prepared environment in which each child can develop to their fullest potential.
She is active in her church and a variety of civic and community organizations. Outside of professional interests, Ethel likes to read, cook, crochet, enjoy nature, and spend time with family.

Robert Gourgues, Custodian

Robert was born and raised in Plaquemine, Louisiana. He grew up across the street from St. John Catholic Church where he served as an altar boy for many years. He is the youngest of seven siblings, two of which are deceased. Robert is a diehard LSU football fan and has been working as a ticket taker for several years now, and was recently promoted to gate captain. Robert has worn many hats during this journey called life such as Boy Scout Master Troop 38, member of Dow Advisory Panel, Finance manager, restaurant manager and many others. His greatest blessings are his children, his grandchildren, and UPC. Robert has a son, Robb, and two daughters, Morgan and Jenna. He has two granddaughters, Kaci & Kaylie. Robert and his wife enjoy travelling, and although they don’t travel as often as they would like, they look forward to many travels in the future.