Our custom for greater than 20 years has been to collect on the primary Friday in April to have fun our college students and their achievements, in addition to varied school and workers accomplishments. In 2025, roughly 50 individuals (household, associates, college students, school, workers) braved the warmth and humidity to have fun this yr’s awardees on the second flooring balcony of Presidents Corridor. Under are images and a run-down of our gathering.
The primary pupil awards introduced had been our excellent college students in REL, Katelyn Rials obtained the award for REL majors and Trevor Linn obtained the Goodwyn Award for Excellent Graduate Pupil (pictured under with Russell McCutcheon, Trevor’s advisor). Katelyn has contributed to analysis initiatives within the division, notably with Prof. Newton (see the latest weblog publish about her varied awards). Trevor is graduating together with his M.A. in Faith in Tradition this Might. Prof. McCutcheon described him as consultant of our program, as Trevor has acknowledged the relevance of his research for a profession working with a writer or suppose tank.
This yr, the Silverstein Scholar award (introduced since 2002) was awarded to 18 Spiritual Research majors, recognizing the standard of their work throughout their undergraduate careers. Every obtained a e-book and a scholarship. The banners lining the balcony referenced the recipients of the award since its inception.
The Asian Research Program, an interdisciplinary minor that’s housed in Spiritual Research, introduced awards to 5 college students, all introduced by Prof. Loewen. These included the 2 Asian Research Excellent College students (Leah Kummer, not pictured, and Sophia Mihalovic) and three pupil researchers, who every obtained the Asian Research Analysis Award (Monty Norton and co-authors Clara Cagle and Katelyn Rials).
In a brand new observe, college students getting ready to graduate in Might had been acknowledged with the REL Alum mugs. Prof. Vaia Touna, the REL Graduate Research Director, introduced mugs to a few M.A. graduates (Trevor Linn, Kate Schoening, and Lauren Thompson, pictured under). Profs. Edith Szanto and Hannah Jung introduced mugs to our upcoming BA graduates, additionally.
College students contribute to the lifetime of the division exterior of the classroom, and Prof. Kyselov acknowledged the undergraduate pupil officers of the Spiritual Research Pupil Affiliation (RSSA) Ellie Dilworth, Josiah Feldhausen, and Julianne Losacco (not pictured). Silverstein Fellows additionally contribute to the division’s work, serving to in the principle workplace with duties from making flyers and posters to buttons and photocopies. Silverstein Fellows for Fall and Spring had been acknowledged, Ellie Dilworth, Walker Perrenoud, and Julianne Losacco.
College and workers additionally had been the main target of a number of necessary recognitions, together with Prof. Szanto for being awarded tenure and promotion, Andrea Shepherd as our new Administrative Assistant (who retains all the things working, together with taking images at Honors Day), Profs. Jeff Turner and Hannah Jung, who joined the division this yr, and Prof. Kyselov, who’s within the remaining semester of his appointment as Teacher within the division.
Final, however definitely not least, Prof. Simmons acknowledged Prof. Ted Trost, who’s retiring after this educational yr, having spent 27 years round Presidents Corridor. Throughout his time within the division, Prof. Trost has served in a wide range of roles within the division, together with main as division chair for 4 years, chairing the Tenure and Promotion Committee a number of instances, contributing to many school searches, and educating programs on common tradition, New Testomony, and extra. Congratulations on the well-deserved retirement!
