Award winners pose with the dean and academic dean
Award winners pose with Dean Colón-Emeric and Daniel Castelo, associate dean for academic formation.

Duke Divinity School announced the student recipients of several academic awards for the 2024-25 academic year at a special awards reception held on April 21.   

The academic awards and this year's recipients were:

  • Award for Excellence in Bible: Selected by the Biblical Division faculty to recognize students of exceptional promise as interpreters of the Old and New Testaments.
    Katherine Edwards, M.T.S. and Brett MacDonald, M.Div.
  • Award for Outstanding Student in Theology: Nominated by the faculty of the Theological Division.
    Sadie Rynbrandt, M.T.S.
  • Frederick Buechner Writing Award: Named in honor of the American writer and theologian, this award recognizes excellent writing in creative nonfiction, selected by a committee of faculty and staff.
    Eli Wanner, M.Div. and Cathleen Demant, M.Div. 
  • Richard P. Heitzenrater Award for Excellence in History: Named for an emeritus faculty member, this award is nominated by faculty of the Historical Division.
    Kristen Balzer, M.Div.
  • Hoyt Hickman Award for Excellence in Liturgics: Selected by worship faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    Mackenzie Smith, M.Div.
  • Seminarian Award of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts: Selected by worship faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    Mackenzie Smith, M.Div.
  • Jameson Jones Preaching Award: Selected by preaching faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    Marisol Hernández, M.Div.
  • McMurry Richey Awards: Selected by a broad group of staff in student and community life and recognize three categories of achievement:
    • Field Education— Garrett Kaiser, M.Div./M.S.W.
    • Mission Recipients — Jilian Palmer, M.Div. and Sarah Solís, M.Div.
    • Student Pastor — Marisol Hernández, M.Div.

During the event, held in the newly renovated Alumni Memorial Commons Room, Dean Edgardo Colón-Emeric offered words of welcome and a blessing, while Daniel Castelo, associate dean for academic formation and William Kellon Quick Professor of Theology and Methodist Studies, announced the awards.

The Divinity Baccalaureate Service and Hooding Ceremony will take place on May 10 in Duke Chapel and will feature a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Jerusha Matsen Neal, associate professor of homiletics, and a service of investiture in which Divinity students are individually named and receive their academic hoods. The service will be available on livestream. University Commencement Exercises will take place the following day in Wallace Wade Stadium.