The Religion Department celebrated its annual George Hall Dinner on Tuesday, May 14, featuring student awards and an alumnus speaker, Dr. Danial Pioska (’04).
Below is a little about our awards and this year’s winners:
The Apologetics Award: Established in 1994 by a gift from Profs. Miles Johnson ’47 and Joyce Johnson ’50, the Apologetics Award is intended to “encourage student interest and participation in…defending the historic Christian faith,” and for “aspiring writers [to] recognize the vital link between Scripture and this historic faith.” This award of $500 is given to a student whose essay is selected as the one that best addressed the prompt of “I Believe: Why Christianity Matters” through their argumentation, strength of evidence, and excellent organization.
This year’s winner was freshman Religion major Sophia White (’27).
George Hall Prize for Scholarship in Religion: This Prize is named in honor of former Religion Dept. Prof. George Hall, and established in 1980 to be given to a student for excellence in research, writing, and class participation in religion. The Prize also comes with a check and is given to a graduating senior religion major who has shown excellence both in their courses overall and, in particular, in the senior thesis.
This year’s winner was senior Religion major Lachen Reid (’24).
Finally, we recognized our new Theta Alpha Kappa inductees. TAK is the national American Honor Society for religious studies and theology. To become a member, a religion major or minor must have a 3.5 GPA both in their religion courses and in their classes overall. This year we recognize four new members, who I will invite up to receive their certificate and cord for graduation.
This year’s inductees are Katy Cash (’25), Wren Heimann (’25), Noah Meffert (’24), and Tori Zachman (’24).
We are exceedingly proud of our students, and wish our seniors much success in their future endeavors!