Nearly 40 prizes awarded at the annual Honors Convocation service
May 2026 – Scholarly excellence, progressive leadership, and unwavering service were celebrated at Drew Theological School’s annual Honors Convocation.
Nearly 40 prizes were awarded during a ceremony in Craig Chapel, also live streamed for those unable to attend in-person.
“As we begin the season of commencement, I’d like this evening to be a moment of noticing and naming—of marking our moment and achievements, and our support to the achievement of others,” said Associate Academic Dean Robert Seesengood during his welcome address.
Theological School faculty presented the awards to the students across a range of disciplines and contributions.
The ceremony included two student-presented awards to the Theological School’s faculty and staff. The Graduate Division of Religion presented Catherine Keller, George T. Cobb Professor of Constructive Theology, with the Karen McCarthy Brown Award for Excellence in Teaching, and Beth Babcock, operations manager and assistant to the associate deans, recieved the Maxine Clarke Beach Excellence in Service Award.
Theological School Dean Edwin David Aponte addressed the students during his benediction. “This is the beginning of the endings, but this is not the end,” he said. “As you go into the endings, may you have a blessing to continue the work that still needs to be done. May you support each other in community as you have tonight, and may this celebration continue, now and everyday until the end.”
And the winners are:
MASTER’S LEADERSHIP
Mead Hall Study Circle Prize
Katherine O’Keefe
Patricia Wickham Prize in Feminist Scholarship
Jennifer Nelson
Rev. Dr. Joyce Bailey Award for All Around Excellence
Janice Marie Beauchamp
Alton Raynor Prize
Albarka Wakili
Class of 1959 Bernhard Anderson Prize For Excellence in Leadership
Bethany Davey
Henry L. Lambdin Prize for Excellence in Pastoral Leadership
Marcel Salumu Okito
Jasper and Ann Steele Prize
Salia Kamara
The Rev. Dr. Clayton Z. Miller T’59,’75 Prize
Jovinthe Hatugimina
The Frederick Buechner Writing Competition Prize
Albarka Wakili
Robert Duncan, Sr. Prize
Francis Osuji
AfriSCaD Alumni Prize
Nyasha Jeche
Esther Somp
BIBLICAL STUDIES
Clarence Tucker Craig Prize in Biblical Studies
Hayoung Kim
John Paterson Old Testament Studies Prize
Cam Manangan
Lawrence E. Toombs Prize in Old Testament History
Daesun Jang
F.J. Yetter Prize Fund
Pam Faatz
Newton Davies Greek New Testament Prize
Abigail Hartley
George R. Warren Memorial Prize
Yeongrok Choi
CHURCH HISTORY
Robert Jehu Bull Prize
Alison Johnson
THEOLOGY
Annin Memorial Prize in Theology
Benjamin (Josh) Phillips
PREACHING, WORSHIP, AND THE ARTS
Lester Berenbroick Award in Church Music
Hayoung Kim
George R. Crooks Prize
Dobyo Amos
Dorr Diefendorf Award
Juyoun Seo
Fellowship Seminarian Award
Dohee Woo
Alfred B. Haas Prize
Yeongrok Choi
Order of St. Luke-Hoyt Hickman Award
Janice Marie Beauchamp
John Heston Willey Prize
Tommy Stelzl
Rev. William L. D. Lyght T’33 Prize
Esther Somp
Dean Anne B. Yardley Prize for Hospitality through the Arts
Rae Guthrie
DOCTORAL LEADERSHIP
Maxine Clarke Beach Leadership Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement
Damien Domenack
Fellipe Dos Anjos Pereira
Maxine Clarke Beach Prize for the Outstanding Student Teacher
Tyler Heston Wolf
DOCTORAL RESEARCH
Rabbi Dr. Sheldon J. Weltman Prize for Excellence in Bible Studies
Jung Ae Kim
Helen LePage and William Hale Chamberlain Prize
Amiel Wayne
Reverend Robert W. Edgar Prize for Social Justice
Matthew Tsz Him Lai
Robert J. Duncan, Jr. Prize
Hankwi Chun
Daniel P. Kidder Prize
Desire Tiriwepi
