Prizes conferred at the 160th Commencement Ceremony

Presented by
Dean Grodzins
Associate Professor of History

The Larry E. Axel Memorial Award for excellence in teaching in the modified residency program is named for the late professor of phliosophy at Purdue who was instrumental in setting up the MRP program and moviing it to Meadville Lombard. This year, the prize was awarded to Sylvia Behrend (who also received a D.Min. from Meadville Lombard this year).

The John Godbey Prize in Historical Studies is given to honor the best essay submitted in the field of church history. It is named in honor of the late Prof. John Godbey, who for more than thirty years taught history here at Meadville Lombard. The prize was established with a gift from his widow, Greta Godbey. This year, there were two recipients, Laura Horton and Chip Rousch.

The Clayton Raymond Bowen Prize is awarded for excellence in New Testament studies. It was established by the students of Rev. Clayton Raymond Bowen, who taught New Testament at Meadville and at Meadville Lombard from 1905 to 1934. This year the Bowen prize was awarded to John Saxon.

The Roberta M. Nelson Prize is awarded for excellence in religious education. It is named in honor of Rev. Dr. Roberta M. Nelson, minister of religious education emeritus at the Cedar Lane Unitarian Church in Bethesda, Maryland, who also served as dean of the Meadville Lombard Winter Institute from 1977 to 1994, and who is currently a Meadville Lombard Trustee.  This year, the Roberta Nelson prize was awarded to Melissa Ziemer.

The Robert Charles Billings Prize for Excellence in Preaching is named after a prominent Unitarian philanthropist of a century ago; it is awarded to a graduating student for outstanding preaching skills. This year, the Billings Preaching Prize was awarded to Danielle Gerrior.

The Robert Charles Billings Prize for Excellence in Scholarship is awarded to a graduationg student with the highest academic standing. This year, the Billings Scholarship Prize was awarded to Naomi King.

Finally, there is the prize awarded to a graduating student who has shown Outstanding Religious Leadership. This year, the Leadership Prize was awarded to Chip Rousch.

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