Outstanding students at Southwestern, TBC honored with academic awards

The top 43 students at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College were recognized on April 26 for their academic achievements in the classroom during the annual student awards banquet.

“Training and equipping students is central to our task at Southwestern Seminary and Texas Baptist College, and we have some of the best students,” said W. Madison Grace II, provost and vice president for academic administration at Southwestern in an interview.

Grace said yearly the institution takes “time to recognize those students who have excelled during their tenure at Southwestern with our student awards.” He added that the awards are “made available through the generous support of donors, and they provide encouragement to our students who will go out from Southwestern to continue working for the Kingdom around the world.”

Students who meet the criteria for each award are nominated and voted on by the faculty of their respective schools.

“It is a joy to see the variety of students who have excelled in fields from Greek and Hebrew to preaching and pastoral ministry,” Grace noted. “As an educator, student success is always a priority, and this awards ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate some of the many accomplishments of the wonderful students at Southwestern.”

Southwestern Seminary began honoring student academic achievements in the 1970s.

General Awards
Kirsten Hale Burns, G.R. & Jessie Klempnauer Memorial Award
Rafael Berlanga, James R. Leitch Memorial Award
Annika Caldwell, Neppie Scarborough Award in Women’s Studies

School of Theology
Carly Schreiner, President’s Scholar Award for the School of Theology
Samuel Vanlalawmpuia, Robert A. Baker Award in Church History
Kevin Watson, Walter Thomas Conner Memorial Award
Haejung You, Marian Vaughn Award
Luke Heaton, Albert Venting, Jr. Memorial Award
David Downey, James Leo and Myrta Ann Garrett Award in Historical Theology
Joshua Grant, Al and Beverly Fasol Preaching Award
Naing Htang, Janet Copeland Hebrew Language Award
Brady Weaver, The O.S. Hawkins Outstanding Pastoral Ministry Graduate Award

Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Sara Gaw, President’s Scholar Award for the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Nathaniel Varghese, Albert G. and Ethel Marsh Memorial Award
Logan McKenzie, R. Othal Feather Award in Administration
Nate Bishop, R. Othal Feather Award in Educational Evangelism
Sterling Davenport, J.P. Price Memorial Award
Christopher Yeates, Joe Davis Heacock Award
Susan Gilbert, Elizabeth G. Price Memorial Award
Journey Roddie, J.M Price Memorial Award
Lunghar Raikhan, J.M. Price Memorial Award
Anna Matsuura, Layden and Granger Childhood Education Award
Brandon Burns, Philip H. Briggs Student Ministry Award
Christina Alexander, Claudia Wingate Martin Childhood Education Award
Jeremy Litton, Jack and Barbara Terry Christian Education Ministry Award

School of Church Music and Worship
Hugo C. Encorrada Ramos, President’s Scholar Award for the School of Church Music and Worship
Trent Broussard, Lester H. Harrell Memorial Award
Jihye Cheon, Wayne (Polly) McNeely Piano Award
Jonathan Wells, Edwin McNeely Music Award
Chloe Bonner, J.D. Riddle Memorial Award
Claire Weaver, James McKinney Outstanding Performer Award
Jarrod Richey, Evelyn Marney Phillips Music Education Award
Grace Waggener, Carolyn Lott Award in Instrumental Church Music

Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions
William Goubert, President’s Scholar Award for the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions
Nancy Gilmer, Madison and Matia Queen Evangelism Award
Emily Krogman, R.S. and Pearl Hopson Missions Award
Fernando Santos, W.H. and Melba Justice International Student Award
Rebecca Johnson, Todd Brooks Riza Memorial Award
James Johnson, Malcolm R. McDow Evangelism Award
Jonathan Sieberhagen, Melba McDow Missions Award
Myrna Paga, Inez Gilliam Crawford Female International Student Award
Debbie Figueroa, Kenneth G. and Elizabeth B. Walters Evangelism Award

Texas Baptist College
Dillon Richardson, President’s Scholar Award for Texas Baptist College

DESCRIPTIONS OF AWARDS

General Awards
R. and Jessie Klempnauer Memorial Award – The officers of the seminary will select the recipient based upon his or her involvement in a church while attending seminary and the student’s potential for future ministry in a local Southern Baptist church.

James R. Leitch Memorial Award – The recipient is a student pursuing a graduate degree at the seminary and has a call to pastor a local church. Preference is given to a student employee of the James R. Leitch Physical Plant.

Neppie Scarborough Award in Women’s Studies – The recipient shall be a female student in the Master of Divinity degree program with a concentration in women’s studies, possessing an exceptional academic record, commitment, and potential for effectiveness in woman-to-woman ministry and exhibiting the character of a godly woman.

School of Theology
Albert Venting Jr. Memorial Award – The Albert Venting Jr. Memorial Award is presented to a deserving member of the graduating class in the School of Theology.

C.W. Brister Pastoral Ministry Award – The C. W. Brister Pastoral Ministry Award is given to the outstanding graduate in the School of Theology in the field of pastoral ministry.

James Leo and Myrta Ann Garrett Award in Historical Theology – The James Leo and Myrta Ann Garrett Award in Historical Theology is presented each year to a theology student who has demonstrated the best academic performance in courses in historical theology.

Robert A. Baker Award in Church History – The Robert A. Baker Award in Church History is presented to the outstanding student in church history studies.

Janet Copeland Hebrew Language Student Award – The Janet Copeland Hebrew Language Award is given to the top first-year Hebrew language student.

Lindsey and Lois Ellis Award – The Lindsey and Lois Ellis Award is presented to a graduating student in the School of Theology who shows, upon recommendation of the Dean of the School of Theology, the greatest promise of contributing to the understanding and proclamation of the Holy Scriptures.

M.W. and Myrtle Williamson Memorial Award – The M. E. and Myrtle Williamson Memorial Award is made to the Doctor of Ministry student who submits the most outstanding project prospectus during the year preceding the award date.

President’s Scholar Award for the School of Theology – The President’s Scholar Award for the School of Theology is in recognition of student achievement and in affirmation of Southwestern’s continuing commitment to academic excellence. Annually the School of Theology faculty chooses a student to be recommended to the president to be the President’s Scholar based on Christian commitment, personal character, and scholastic achievement.

Marian Vaughn Award – The Marian Vaughan Award, established by Curtis and Frances Vaughan, is presented to the student having the best record in New Testament Greek.

Walter Thomas Conner Memorial Award – The Walter Thomas Conner Memorial Award is presented to a member of the graduating class whose work in the department of theology is judged exceptional.

The O.S. Hawkins Outstanding Pastoral Ministry Graduate Award – The O.S. Hawkins Outstanding Pastoral Ministry Graduate Award is given to a theology student that is making normal progress toward graduation and has demonstrated a call to pastoral ministry. The recipient is considered to be of sound moral character, possesses an exceptional commitment to the Christian ministry, and is a member of a Southern Baptist Church.

Al and Beverly Fasol Preaching Award – The Al and Beverly Fasol Preaching Award is awarded to a student or students enrolled in the School of Theology who is of sound moral character, possesses exceptional commitment to the Christian ministry, and is a member of a Southern Baptist church.

Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Albert G. and Ethel Marsh Memorial Award – This award will be made every three years and will benefit an outstanding Doctor of Education student who will be selected by the Committee of Advanced Studies in the Terry School of Educational Ministries on the basis of scholarship, experience, and potential leadership.

Claudia Wingate Martin Childhood Education Award – The recipient shall be a student making satisfactory academic progress at the seminary during his/her first year in the Terry School of Educational Ministries, shall be actively involved in a children’s ministry. The student(s) must be of sound moral character, possess an exceptional commitment to the Christian ministry, and must be a member of a Southern Baptist church.

Elizabeth G. Price Memorial Award – J. M. Price endowed a fund in memory of his mother for the purpose of providing a certificate to the young woman in the Terry School of Educational Ministries graduating class in May who makes the highest average grade during her seminary coursework.

J.M. Price Award – The award is made to two religious education students who, in the judgment of the faculty committee, has given evidence at the end of their first year as having those qualities which will enable them to make an outstanding contribution in the fields of religious education. These qualities included consecration, personality, scholastic achievement, attitude, leadership, and a spirit of teamwork.

J.P. Price Memorial Award – J.M. Price endowed a fund in memory of his father for the purpose of providing a plaque to the young man in the religious education class in May who makes the highest average grade during his seminary course.

Jack and Barbara Terry Christian Education Ministry Award – The Jack and Barbara Terry Christian Education Ministry Award is awarded to a student in the Terry School of Educational Ministries who possesses an exceptional commitment and outstanding academic record and potential for or current effectiveness in educational ministries.

Layden and Granger Childhood Education Award – The recipient shall be a student majoring in Childhood Education, possessing an exceptional academic record, committed, and potential for effectiveness in childhood ministries.

President’s Scholar Award for the School of Educational Ministries – The President’s Scholar Award for the Terry School of Educational Ministries is in recognition of student achievement and in affirmation of Southwestern’s continuing commitment to academic excellence. Annually, the School of Educational Ministries faculty chooses a student to be recommended to the president to be the President’s Scholar based on Christian commitment, personal character, and scholastic achievement.

Othal Feather Award in Educational Evangelism– The R. Othal Feather Award in Educational Evangelism is awarded to a Doctor of Education student or a Doctor of Ministry student interested in administration and doing research in educational evangelism.

Othal Feather Award in Administration– The R. Othal Feather Award in Administration is awarded to a student after completing two or more administration courses in the Terry School of Educational Ministries during the first year of enrollment in the seminary. Selection is made by the dean of the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries and two professors of administration from the three students having the highest academic rating in administration courses, considering leadership ability, personality, and dedication.

Philip H. Briggs Student Ministry Award – The recipient shall have the highest GPA, graduating from the Terry School of Educational Ministries, and have a student ministry or collegiate ministry major.

Joe Davis Heacock Award – The Joe Davis Heacock Scholarship Fund was established by the Southwestern Baptist Religious Education Association in honor of the former Dean of the School of Educational Ministries. It is given to an outstanding first-year church and family ministries student.

School of Church Music and Worship
Carolyn Lott Award in Instrument Church Music – This award was established by R. Allen Lott as a memorial to his wife, a harpist, and flutist who was a graduate of the School of Church Music and Worship. It was given for outstanding achievement in the performance or composition of instrumental music for the church.

Edwin McNeely Music Award – The award is given to a Southern Baptist student with degree concentration in voice, music ministry, or conducting. It is awarded on the basis of character, personality, and ability, particularly in effective leadership of congregational singing and public worship.

Evelyn Marney Philips Music Education Award – The Evelyn Marney Philips Music Education Award is presented as a memorial to Evelyn Marney Philips for outstanding achievement in music education, especially with children’s choirs.

President’s Scholar Award for the School of Church Music and Worship – The President’s Scholar Award for the School of Church Music and Worship is in recognition of student achievement and in affirmation of Southwestern’s continuing commitment to academic excellence. Annually the School of Church Music and Worship faculty chooses a student to be recommended to the president to be the President’s Scholar based on Christian commitment, personal character, and scholastic achievement.

J.D. Riddle Memorial Award – The J. D. Riddle Memorial Award is presented to a qualified music student.

James McKinney Outstanding Performer Award – The James McKinney Outstanding Performer Award is awarded to a student who is judged by the applied music faculty to be the outstanding performer in the School of Church Music and Worship.

Lester H. Harrell Memorial Award – The Lester E. Harrell Memorial Award is given to an outstanding School of Church Music and Worship degree student.

Wayne (Polly) McNeely Piano Scholarship Fund – The Wayne (Polly) McNeely Piano Award is given to a piano student for outstanding achievement.

Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions
Madison and Matia Queen Evangelism Award – The Madison and Matia Queen Evangelism Award is given to a Southwestern Seminary student who is of sound moral character, possesses an exceptional commitment to the Christian ministry, and is a member of a Southern Baptist church who teaches their children, grandchildren or other children in the home to memorize Scriptures related to salvation through faith in Christ, the Lord’s mandate to share the Gospel with others within their spheres of influence in a scriptural, appropriate, loving, and wise manner, effective evangelistic practices with the purpose of leading others to faith in Christ and continuing discipleship and offers various evangelistic opportunities for children and youth in which the parent, grandparents, or guardians accompany them in sharing their faith.

Inez Gilliam Crawford Female International Student Award Fund – The recipient shall be the female international student with the highest GPA at the Seminary during her final year in the Fish School of Evangelism and Missions and feels that God has called her into the Christian ministry. The student(s) must be of sound moral character, possess an exceptional commitment to the Christian ministry, and must be a member of a Southern Baptist church.

Kenneth G. and Elizabeth B. Walters Evangelism Award – The Kenneth G. and Elizabeth B. Walters Evangelism Award is given to an outstanding Master of Divinity student who demonstrates a commitment to active, personal evangelism.

President’s Scholar Award for the Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions – The President’s Scholar Award for the School of Evangelism and Missions is in recognition of student achievement and in affirmation of Southwestern’s continuing commitment to academic excellence. Annually the School of Evangelism and Missions faculty chooses a student to be recommended to the president to be the President’s Scholar based on Christian commitment, personal character, and scholastic achievement.

Malcolm R. McDow Evangelism Award – The recipient shall be a graduating senior enrolled in the Fish School of Evangelism and Missions of Southwestern and demonstrate outstanding achievement in the study and the ministry of evangelism.

Melba McDow Missions Award – The Melba McDow Evangelism Award is given to the graduating student in the Fish School of Evangelism and Missions with outstanding achievement in missions.

W.H. and Melba Justice International Student Award – The W. H. and Melba Justice International Student Award is presented to a graduating international student who demonstrates high academic achievement, dedication to Jesus Christ, personal character, promise in ministry, and commitment in ministry to internationals in America or abroad.

Todd Brooks Riza Memorial Award – The Todd Brooks Riza Memorial Award is presented annually to the spring evangelism participant, by fellow participants, who demonstrates genuine compassion for non-Christians. While the participants will make the nominations, the Evangelism department will make the final selection of the recipient.

R.S. and Pearl Hopson Mission Award – The R. S. and Pearl Hopson Missions Award is presented to an outstanding graduating student at the master’s level who is preparing for foreign missions service.

Fred Swank Evangelism Award– The W. Fred Swank Evangelism Award is presented to a graduating student who currently is a pastor of a Southern Baptist church and whose preaching exemplifies an evangelistic style message.

The W. Oscar Thompson Jr. Scholarship Award – The W. Oscar Thompson Jr. Memorial Award in Evangelism is given to an outstanding student by the evangelism department.

Texas Baptist College
President’s Scholar Award for Texas Baptist College – The President’s Scholar Award for Texas Baptist College is in recognition of student achievement and in affirmation of TBC’s continuing commitment to academic excellence. Annually the TBC faculty chooses a student to be recommended to the president to be the President’s Scholar based on Christian commitment, personal character, and scholastic achievement.