Congratulations to our graduates, 2011 Founder’s Medalist and award recipients

On May 13, we awarded 93 new VDS/GDR alumni/ae with their degrees at Commencement. While celebrating the Class of 2011, we also honored our Founder’s Medalist and 14 other graduates in recognition of their contributions to scholarship and service to the school and beyond. Congratulations, Class of 2011.

Since 1877, Founder’s Medals have been awarded to the student graduating at the top of his or her class from each of Vanderbilt’s schools. This year, the Founder’s Medalist for the Divinity School is Elizabeth Coyle, a candidate for the master of theological studies degree.

An alumna of Xavier University in Cincinnati where she earned her bachelor’s in theology and English, Elizabeth served on the theology faculty of John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tenn., before she matriculated at Vanderbilt. She sought admission to the Divinity School because she desired to study in an institution where scholarship, service, activism and ministry are inextricably related. In her essay to the admission committee, she wrote:

“I seek a holistic and challenging education so that I might grow into my best self. Although I am unsure of exactly where God is calling me in my life, I do know the person whom I hope to become through my studies at Vanderbilt. I seek to be a person of rich faith, a faith that is compassionately active in the world. I envision this faith as most alive when serving the poor and those most in need of radical grace. My vocation should unite those from the margins of society with those who have the energy and the desire to serve and to be served.”

Elizabeth’s accomplishments at Vanderbilt prove that she has discerned such a vocation in the church. She has served as a volunteer for Room in the Inn with the Campus for Human Development’s homeless outreach shelter. As a Cal Turner Leadership Fellow, she was among the Vanderbilt students who developed an initiative in community gardens and nutrition education for at-risk youth served by the Oasis Center. She was a founding member of Marginalia, a Divinity School organization dedicated to advocacy for the homeless, and she has written for The Contributor street newspaper. Elizabeth also continues her dance studies in classical ballet.

This summer Elizabeth leaves her hometown of Franklin, Tenn., for California, where she has accepted an appointment in Catholic higher education as a university minister at the University of San Diego.

Congratulations to the other award recipients from the Class of 2011:

Academic Achievement Award
Christian Hawley, MDiv

Umphrey Lee Dean’s Award for exemplifying the mission and vision of the Divinity School
Ali Sevilla, MDiv

Florence Conwell Prize for accomplishments in preaching
Niger Woodruff, MDiv

Saint James Academy Award for composing the outstanding sermon
Brandon Blacksten, MDiv

W. Kendrick Grobel Award for accomplishments in Biblical studies
Jason Smith, MTS

J.D. Owen Prize for accomplishments in the study of the New Testament
Ross Stackhouse, MTS

Elliott F. Shepard Prize for accomplishments in church history
Robert McFadden, MTS

Wilbur F. Tillett Prize for accomplishments in the study of ethics
Alexandra Chambers, MDiv

Nella May Overby Award for honors in field education
Heather Lefkowitz, MDiv

William A. Newcomb Prize for exemplifying the idea of minister as theologian and for receiving honors on one’s master divinity degree project
Christian Hawley, MDiv

Chalice Press Book Award for academic distinction by students representing the Christian church, Disciples of Christ and the Disciples of Divinity House
Jaclyn Twedell, MDiv

Luke-Acts Prize for composing the most significant paper on an aspect of Luke-Acts
Arthur Francis Carter Jr., graduate department of religion

Bishop Holland Nimmons McTyeire Award for exemplifying the Wesleyan ideals for Christian servant leadership
Brandon Blacksten, MDiv

Bettye R. Ford Graduate Student Service Award for significant contributions to Vanderbilt University’s Graduate Department of Religion
Carolyn Jane Davis

Student Government Association Service Awards presented to the student and member of the faculty or staff for significant contributions to the Divinity School community
Olusola Tribble, MTS
Professor Patout Burns, Edward A. Malloy Professor of Catholic Studies, Emeritus

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