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
etolar@upcbr.org

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. A proud graduate of Baton Rouge High School and Louisiana State University (BFA in Graphic Design), she joined the staff in July 2001 as Administrative Secretary and was promoted to Office Manager in 2018. She is celebrating 25 years of continuous service to UPC, where her organizational skills, creativity, and welcoming presence have made her an invaluable part of the church community.

Caralyn is happily married to Jeff Janes. Together they share a bustling family of six children and four beloved “fur babies.” She and Jeff also co-own Janes Aquatics, a swim school dedicated to teaching children and adults to swim. An avid LSU Tigers fan, Caralyn loves traveling, crocheting, and spending time with her family and pets.

Kelsey Snyder, Choir Director
arriving fall 2026

Kelsey is an accomplished conductor, educator, and vocalist who recently completed her Master of Music in Choral Conducting at BYU. Her impressive background includes serving as Director of Choirs at Maricopa High School—where she was named the 2024 New Educator of the Year—and performing globally across Europe, South America, and Asia. We are thrilled to welcome Kelsey to the UPC community and look forward to the leadership, experience, and passion she brings to our music ministry.

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.

Kenishia Brumfield, Day School Director
upcdayschool@upcbr.org

With over two decades of dedicated experience in early childhood development, Kenishia Brumfield brings a wealth of expertise, joy, and faith to her role as Director of the Day School (DS). Having walked every path from classroom teacher to Assistant Director, Brumfield’s leadership is deeply rooted in cultivating a thriving, connected community.

Guided by her calling as a faith-based educator, Brumfield views every child as a gift and is committed to serving families with compassion, kindness, and integrity. Her mission is to foster an environment where children are excited to learn, parents feel completely confident, and teachers are inspired and supported in their professional growth. Driven by a lifelong passion for education, she remains energized in her commitment to providing high-quality care where every child can reach their full potential.

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.