Meet the newest class of Perkins Scholars! These students, who arrived at Perkins in fall 2018, represent the latest cohort in this new scholarship program, which was launched in 2017. The program is geared toward attracting outstanding M.Div. students who have distinguished themselves in their previous studies.
The inaugural class of Perkins Scholars entered the community in the fall of 2017, and the third class will begin in the fall of 2019. A total goal of $630,000 in funding will provide for three classes.
Read more about the Perkins Scholars program from Director of Development John Martin.
Paul Bussert
Hometown: Bixby, Oklahoma
Undergraduate major: Instrumental Music Education – Oklahoma State University
Career goal: Serving as a fully ordained elder in the United Methodist Church, hopefully within the Oklahoma conference.
Jessica Hallett
Hometown: Quitman, Arkansas
Undergraduate major: History, minor in Anthropology – Arkansas Tech University
Career goal: Serving as an elder in the United Methodist Church.
Steven James
Hometown: Mesquite, Texas
Undergraduate major: Journalism – University of North Texas
Career goal: Considering pastoral ministry as well as opportunities in immigration chaplaincy, refugee chaplaincy, and prison ministry.
Shayla Jordan
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
Undergraduate major: Philosophy and Religious Studies, minor in Leadership Studies – Southwestern College
Career goal: Ordination in the United Methodist Church while pursuing a calling in higher education.
Shandon Klein
Hometown: Richardson, Texas
Undergraduate major: Biology and Chemistry – Minnesota State University Moorhead
MS in Biotechnology – Johns Hopkins University
Career goal: An ordained elder within the United Methodist Church.
Adam Lubbers
Hometown: Granbury, Texas
Undergraduate major: Biblical Text & Languages and History – Abilene Christian University
MA in Medieval History – University of York
Career goal: Ordained elder in the United Methodist church, with plans to pursue a doctorate.
Margo Moore
Hometown: Westfield, Indiana
Undergraduate major: Communications – Baylor University
Career goal: Sharing the gospel with people from an academic perspective.
Kelly Rose
Hometown: Kingswood, Texas
Undergraduate major: Christian Ministry, emphasis in Youth Ministry, minor in Communications – University of Mary-Hardin Baylor
Career goal: Pursuing a doctoral program with the hopes of being a professor.
Matthew Schroeder
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Undergraduate major: Literary Studies – The University of Texas at Dallas
MA in Literary Studies – The University of Texas at Dallas
Career goal: Either to start a church with a focus on LGBT+ and disability ministries or to get a PhD and teach queer and disability theology.
Victoria “Vicki” Wood
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate major: Theatre – Hendrix College
Career goal: Ordination as either an Elder or Deacon in the United Methodist Church.