Over 20 prizes were awarded at the annual Honors Convocation service
April 2025 – Scholarly excellence, progressive leadership, and unwavering service were celebrated at Drew Theological School’s annual Honors Convocation.
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Over 20 prizes were awarded during a ceremony in Craig Chapel, also livestreamed for those unable to attend in-person.
“Whether or not you receive an award during this celebration, what you are and what you bring to this Drew community is essential to who we are as a theological school that seeks to walk humbly, love kindness, and seek justice in all times and places,” said Associate Dean for Vocation and Formation Tanya Linn Bennett as she welcomed the students.
“The community will never convene again quite this way,” said Associate Academic Dean Robert Seesengood. “As we begin this season of the first of the lasts and move towards commencement, this in the future may not be as they are. But they will be yours to build—to make a new place—something so magnificent,” he said. “Today we honor the gifts you’ve given us. We honor and recognize students in this moment, and we come together to celebrate the best of what we have.”
Theological School faculty presented the awards to the students. “It is always extremely difficult to single out the very best of the very best,” said Stephen Moore, Edmund S. Janes Professor of New Testament Studies.
The ceremony included two student-presented awards to the Theological School’s faculty. The Graduate Division of Religion presented Gladson Jathanna, assistant professor of the history of Christianities, with the Maxine Clarke Beach Excellence in Service Award and Elaine Noguiera-Godsey, assistant professor of religion and society, with the Karen McCarthy Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching.
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Theological School Dean Edwin David Aponte addressed the students during his benediction. “You are called to this rigorous season of study, and that enables us as faculty to follow our calling and work with you,” he said. “It is part of our calling to bring hope into the world. Trust in the source of hope in a world that is so desperate to have hope—continue to be people of hope.”
And the winners are:
Rev. Dr. Joyce Bailey Award for All Around Excellence
Cassandra Montelongo
Award For Excellence in Student Leadership
Rae Guthrie, Chantel Makarawa
Award for Excellence in or Promise for Pastoral Ministry
Pyoungkang Kim
Award for Interfaith Studies and Community Engagement
Henry Anyomi
Award for Excellence in Vocational Internship
Nyasha Jeche
The Frederick Buechner Prize for Excellence in Writing
Jory Pryor
The Frederick Buechner Prize for Excellence in Preaching
Jacqualine Chipongo, Madison Tatum
AfriSCaD Alumni Award
Faith Gitonga, Doreen Mhlandhla
Award for Excellence in Biblical Studies
Madison Tatum
Award for Excellence in Theology
Alex Forrester
Award for Excellence in Religion and Society
Samantha Nyachoto
Excellence in Chapel Leadership
Dohee Woo
Order of St. Luke-Hoyt Hickman Award
Rae Guthrie
Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement in PhD Coursework
Isaac Jarnot
Award for Outstanding Achievement in PhD Comprehensive Exams
Shin-Young Kim, Min Um
Award for Outstanding Achievement for Teaching Assistantship
Isaac Jarnot
Award for Outstanding Achievement for a Doctor of Ministry Project
Eun Rye Kim
Awards for Outstanding Achievement for a PhD Dissertation
Tzu Yu Lin – Bible & Cultures
Julian A. Cook – Religion & Society
Anna Blaedel – Philosophy & Religion
