Meet the Perkins Scholars
This fall, Perkins welcomes our sixth cohort of Perkins Scholars. The Perkins Scholar designation is given to students who have distinguished themselves in their undergraduate studies, have demonstrated leadership abilities and are enrolled in the Master of Divinity program leading toward ordination. Outstanding M.Div. students are selected to make up each year’s cohort. Those students receive a scholarship totaling up to $21,000, over three years, in addition to other scholarship awards they may receive.
In the spring of 2016, the Perkins Executive Board took up the challenge to put this project in motion. The members of the Executive Board, an advisory board to the Dean, care deeply about Perkins School of Theology and the student body. Members of the Board pledged 10 awards, each pledge being for $21,000. Several members pledged more than one scholarship!
This fall, the sixth cohort entered the M.Div. program and has become acclimated to, and is excelling at, life at Perkins.
With the scholarships pledged for the entering class, our faithful donors have contributed more than $1.2 million of increased scholarship funds for outstanding Perkins M.Div. students.
The newest cohort of Perkins Scholars, funded by Executive Board members, was welcomed to the Perkins family this fall. Here are the new Perkins Scholars:
DAVIS ANDERSON
Hometown: Pierre, S.D.
Undergraduate Institution: Dakota Wesleyan
Degree: B.S. in Accounting with a Minor in Christian Leadership
DAVID HUGHES
Hometown: Houston
Undergraduate Institution: Morehouse College
Degree: B.A. in Kinesiology, Sport Studies and Health Education
ENO AFON
Hometown: Ebughu, Mbo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, West Africa
Undergraduate Institution: The Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu – Nigeria
Degree: Mass Communication Department / Arts & Social Science
NOAH McVICKER
Hometown: Austin
Undergraduate Institution: Texas Lutheran University
Degree: B.A. in Theology with a Minor in Psychology
SETH BOTTS
Hometown: St. Louis
Undergraduate Institution: University of Missouri
Degrees: B.S. and M.S. Accounting
DAVID GELLER
Hometown: Toms River, N.J.
Undergraduate Institution: Stockton University
Degrees: B.S. Social Work, M.S.W.
ABIGAIL MATHENY
Hometown: Baton Rouge, La.
Undergraduate Institution: Louisiana State University
Degree: Religious Studies
ERIC SOLORIO
Hometown: Houston
Former Institution, Houston Baptist University
Degrees: B.A.in Christianity and M.A. in Theological Studies
PAUL CORDER
Hometown: Belton, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: Hardin-Simmons University
Degrees: B.A. Communication, M.A. Religion
ANNA SHIPLEY
Hometown: Rowlett, Texas
Undergrad Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Degree: Communication and Leadership with a Minor in Religious Studies
EMANUEL ECHOL
Hometown Memphis, Tenn.
Undergraduate Institution: Wiley College, Marshall, TX
Degree: B.S. in Early Childhood Education
Pastor, Zion UMC, Marshall, TX & FUMC-Waskom, TX
JONATHAN CAMPOVERDE
Hometown: Mission, Texas
Previous Institutions: Dallas Theological Seminary; Texas A&M University
Degrees: Th.M. in Media Arts & Worship; BS in Chemical Engineering
AMELIA BLAIR
Hometown: Wetumpka, Ala.
Undergraduate Institution: Huntingdon College, Montgomery, Alabama
Degree: B.S. Science and Religion, with a Minor in History
A special thanks goes out to the generous donors who have contributed to this extraordinary scholarship program!
Preparing outstanding pastors and leaders for the Church and society is one of the ongoing missions of Perkins School of Theology. This exceptional assemblage of new Perkins Scholars joins a host of outstanding graduates from years past—women and men who have made a difference in our world.
If you or your church would like to participate in funding the Perkins Scholars program, please let me know. I can always be reached at johnma@smu.edu or 214.768.2026.
Wishing you a safe fall,
John A. Martin