Academic award winners pose in the Alumni Memorial Commons Room
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 2025-26 academic year at a special awards reception held on April 13.   

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.
    Abigail Thompson, MTS and Dawson Gilbert, MDiv
  • Award for Outstanding Student in Theology: Nominated by the faculty of the Theological Division.
    Lily Weir, MTS
  • 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.
    Hannah Anderson, MDiv (Hybrid)
  • Richard P. Heitzenrater Award for Excellence in History: Named for an emeritus faculty member, this award is nominated by faculty of the Historical Division.
    Margaret Olsen, MTS
  • Hoyt Hickman Award for Excellence in Liturgics: Selected by worship faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    Jay Locklear, MDiv (Hybrid)
  • Seminarian Award of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music & Worship Arts: Selected by worship faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    J Sterrett, MDiv
  • Jameson Jones Preaching Award: Selected by preaching faculty and the chaplain’s office.
    Emily Magen, MDiv/MPP
  • McMurry Richey Awards: Selected by a broad group of staff in student and community life and recognize three categories of achievement:
    • Field Education— Seongjin Son, MDiv
    • Mission — Ali Kelso, MDiv
    • Student Pastor — Andrés Pérez González, MDiv

During the event, held in the 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 9 in Duke Chapel and will feature a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Lester Ruth, research professor of Christian worship, and a service of investiture in which Divinity students are individually named and receive their academic hoods. The service will be available on livestream through the Duke Chapel YouTube page. University Commencement Exercises will take place the following day in Wallace Wade Stadium.