2024-2025 Student Award Recipients

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 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.

Kate Tang

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

Faith Woldstad

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

Drew Craddock

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.

Alec Breit

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.

Annika Chante

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

Faith Woldstad

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. 

Ivan Akansiima, Alec Breit, Josh Brown, Scott Crowder, AJ Funk, Ruth Langkamp, Nathan Martens, Jennifer Pavelka, Jeremy Simpson, Rebekah Taylor

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.

Jennifer Pavelka

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.

Jack Booker

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.

Drew Craddock

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.

Lorena Silva

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. 

Andrew Fields

Special Graduate Awards

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

Ruth Langkamp

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.

Rebekah Taylor

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.

Alexis Rosado, Jesse Gonzalez