2025-2026 Student Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 2025-2026 Student Award recipients! We are grateful for each of the students that God has called to Western Theological Seminary, and we take this time to celebrate this year’s award recipients and the ways God has equipped them. These student awards are provided through the generosity of an anonymous donor in memory of Geneva Kleinheksel Baldwin.

Theology Field Awards

The Vander Ploeg Award in Church History is given to an MDiv or MA student for outstanding achievement in the required courses in church history.

Tristen Krumenauer

The Award in Systematic Theology is given to an MDiv or MA student for outstanding achievement in the required courses in systematic theology.   

Sabine Martinez

The Award in Christian Ethics is given to a graduating MDiv or MA candidate for outstanding achievement in the field of Christian Ethics.

Jonathan Cespedes

Ministry Field Awards

The Bast-Brown Senior Preaching Award is given to the graduating candidate in the MDiv program who has exemplified care and craft in the ministerial skill of gospel proclamation. The award reflects work done in courses, internships, and chapel.

Shanda Sprick

The Stanley A. Rock Award in Pastoral Care and Counseling is given to the graduating candidate of any Master’s program who shows unique promise for the calling, practice, and care of souls for the sake of the church’s participation in bringing hope and healing to the world.

Adam Penn

The Makely Award in Missiology is given to a graduating MDiv or MA candidate for outstanding achievement in the field of Missiology.

Christiaan Van Dijk

The Korahite Award in Worship Leadership is given to graduating candidates in any program who have contributed significantly to the worship life of the seminary community as a worship leading musician, orator, or technician.  This award is named for the Korahite musicians who led and continue to lead God’s people in worship through a rich legacy of psalms. 

Allison Eding, Susan Fennema, Jennifer Kramer, Jessica Loper, Jaimi VanderBerg 

Biblical Field Awards

The Award in Old Testament Language and Literature is given to the MDiv or MA student who has best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence, pastoral wisdom and spiritual maturity in Hebrew language and exegesis.

Sophia “Tetsei Torah” Godfrey

The Award in New Testament Language and Literature is given to the MDiv or MA student who has best demonstrated the integration of academic excellence, pastoral wisdom and spiritual maturity in Greek language and exegesis.

Lauren Becker

The Kleine Award in Biblical Studies is given to the MDiv or MA in Biblical Studies graduating student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in biblical studies.

Nicholas “Lehatsil” Loubert

Hispanic Ministries Program Award

The Gary and Joyce DeWitt Award is given to the graduating HMP MA student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and ministerial leadership.

Jonathan Cespedes

ThM Program Award

The ThM award is given to a graduating ThM student who has demonstrated outstanding promise for continued scholarship and leadership within the global church. 

Peggy Wen

Special Graduate Awards

The Pietenpol Senior Excellence Award is given to the graduating student in the MDiv program who demonstrates unusual promise for ministry.

Jaimi VanderBerg

The President’s Community Life Award is given in honor of the President’s commitment to community life to the graduating MDiv senior who has consistently blessed the entire community through humble service, manifesting the fruit of the Spirit, and fostering an atmosphere of unity within diversity.

Susan Fennema

The Faculty Award for Advocacy in Racial Ethnic Reconciliation is given to a graduating MDiv or MA student who has exhibited leadership in advocating for racial ethnic sensitivity, justice, and reconciliation.

Adam Penn

The Fredrick Buechner Award for Excellence in Writing

Laura Kauffman