Students recognized for academic achievement
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Texas Baptist College (TBC) recognized 44 students for academic excellence during the annual student awards luncheon on April 15. President David S. Dockery welcomed students and guests including Southwestern Advisory Council members and donors associated with the awards and other student scholarships, then led the group in prayer.
Provost and Dean of the School of Theology Madison Grace said the luncheon was a celebration of students, who are the reason the seminary exists. He noted the important work of faculty and administrators in equipping students for their calling, but added the support of donors “helps us send out Southwesterners around the globe.”
Grace reflected on the beginning of the modern missions movement when William Carey, the first Baptist missionary, partnered with Andrew Fuller, who became the chief fundraiser for the Baptist Missionary Society.
That story, he said, “is an image of the partnership that exists between those who are going out, doing missionary work, working in churches, and those that are helping provide support for that, especially through funds. It takes all of us to engage in our mission together, and our mission here at Southwestern, to educate our students and to send them out for the sake of the Gospel.”
Students were recognized for academic and ministerial achievements in each of the four graduate schools of the seminary and TBC. Such awards have been presented since the 1970s and are nominated and voted on by faculty of their respective schools.
Following is a list of all the award recipients as well as descriptions of the awards.
Institutional Awards
Joshua Basinger (BA in Christian Studies), James R. Leitch Memorial Award
Dillon Dunk (MDiv in Theological Studies), G.R. & Jessie Klempnauer Memorial Award
Jocelyn Jasmine Santos (MDiv in Women’s Ministry), Neppie Scarborough Award in Women’s Studies
School of Theology
Dakota Meeks (MDiv), President’s Scholar Award for the School of Theology, Lindsey and Lois Ellis Award, and Robert A. Baker Award in Church History
Houston Arledge (MDiv, ’25) B&H Excellence in Christian Ministry Award
David Charlton (MDiv), Albert Venting Jr. Memorial Award
Eric Chavarria (MDiv), Al and Beverly Fasol Preaching Award
Jacob Duffer (MDiv), The O.S. Hawkins Outstanding Pastoral Ministry Graduate Award
Preston Dunn (MDiv), The O.S. Hawkins Outstanding Pastoral Ministry Graduate Award
Nicolas Gonzales (MDiv in Biblical Studies), Janet Copeland Hebrew Language Student Award
Hyuntae Lee (ThM in Theological Studies), Walter Thomas Conner Memorial Award
Shiting Luo (MDiv in Children’s Ministry), Marian Vaughan Award
Damaris McClain (ThM in Theological Studies and MDiv in Theological Studies), James Leo and Myrta Ann Garrett Award in Historical Theology
Joshua Robinson (MDiv), C.W. Brister Pastoral Ministry Award
Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Journey Roddie (MA in Christian Education/Discipleship and Teaching), President’s Scholar Award for the Jack D. Terry School of Educational Ministries
Thomas Dennis (MA in Christian Education/Student Ministry), Philip H. Briggs Student Ministry Award
Dallas Harvey (MDiv in Ministry Leadership and Administration), R. Othal Feather Award in Administration
Timothy Kitchen (MA in Christian Education), Joe Davis Heacock Award
Haeun “Grace” Lee (MA in Christian Education/Children’s Ministry), McQuitty and Granger Childhood Education Award
Emilee Manning (MA in Christian Education/Children’s Ministry), Claudia Wingate Martin Childhood Education Award
Kwonse Park (MA in Christian Education/Ministry Leadership & Administration), J.P. Price Memorial Award
Shanna Peace (MA in Biblical Counseling), Elizabeth G. Price Memorial Award
Jared Simpson (MA in Christian Education/Children’s Ministry), Jack and Barbara Terry Christian Education Ministry Award
Robin Watkins (EdD in Teaching and Educational Ministry), R. Othal Feather Award in Educational Evangelism
Michele Willingham (MA in Biblical Counseling), J.M. Price Award
School of Church Music and Worship
Jordan Mark Elkins (MM in Worship Leadership), President’s Scholar Award for the School of Church Music
Hugo Encorrada (PhD in Church Music and Worship), Lester H. Harrell Memorial Award
Allison Fischer (MM in Worship Leadership), Evelyn Marney Philips Music Education Award
Mariano Ezequiel Gongora (BM in Performance/Piano Concentration), John and Katie Lott Music Award
Joshua Andrew Junyor (MM in Piano Performance and Pedagogy), Carolyn Lott Music Award
Benjamin Keesee (MDiv in Worship Leadership), Edwin McNeely Music Award
Shanchuiphy Keishing (MM in Voice Performance and Pedagogy), James McKinney Outstanding Performer Award
Colin David Proft (MDiv in Worship Leadership), J.D. Riddle Memorial Award
Ivan Immanuel Andica Rustandi (DMA in Piano Performance and Pedagogy), Wayne Polly McNeely Piano Award
Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions
Kristen Kavli (MDiv in International Church Planting), President’s Scholar Award for the School of Evangelism and Missions
Angel Augustine (MA in Islamic Studies), Inez Gilliam Crawford Female International Student Award
Arianna Broughton (MA in Missiology), Melba McDow Missions Award
Emmanuel Escareno (PhD in Evangelism), The W. Oscar Thompson Jr. Scholarship Award
Rebecca Johnson (MDiv), R.S. and Pearl Hopson Mission Award
Justin Knippers (MDiv in International Church Planting), Malcolm R. McDow Evangelism Award
William Mendoza (MTS, Pastoral Ministry Concentration in Spanish), W.H. and Melba Justice International Student Award
Joshua Okoye (MDiv in Philosophy), Kenneth G. and Elizabeth B. Walters Evangelism Award
Sufnat Wasti (PhD in Systematic Theology), W. Fred Swank Evangelism Award
Texas Baptist College
Hope Hale (BA in Humanities), President’s Scholar Award for Texas Baptist College
DESCRIPTIONS OF AWARDS
General Awards
G.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
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.
B&H Award for Excellence in Christian Ministry – The B&H Award for Excellence in Christian Ministry is an external award presented by B&H Publishing to a seminary or college student in recognition of excellence in Christian ministry. The student recipient is selected by the School of Theology faculty.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Marian Vaughan Award – The Marian Vaughan Award, established by Curtis and Frances Vaughan, is presented to the student having the best record in New Testament Greek.
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.
Jack D. Terry School of Educational 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.
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.
R. 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.
R. 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.
McQuitty and Granger Childhood Education Award – The recipient shall be a student majoring in Childhood Education, possessing an exceptional academic record, commitment, and potential for effectiveness in childhood ministries.
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.
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, and 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.
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.
School of Church Music and Worship
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.
Lester H. Harrell Memorial Award – The Lester H. Harrell Memorial Award is given to an outstanding School of Church Music and Worship degree student.
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.
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.
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.
Wayne Polly McNeely Piano Scholarship Fund – The Wayne Polly McNeely Piano Award is given to a piano student for outstanding achievement.
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.
J.D. Riddle Memorial Award – The J. D. Riddle Memorial Award is presented to a qualified music student.
Roy J. Fish School of Evangelism and Missions
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
