The Sewanee School of Theology awarded the 2014 Freeman Award for Merit to
Joshua Paul Stephens, T'16, a M.Div. student from the Diocese of
Southern Virginia (St. Andrew's, Norfolk). The award was announced and
presented by the dean, the Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, during the
School's annual DuBose Lectures and Alumni/ae Gathering banquet on Oct.
1. "Josh Stephens distinguished himself in his first year of theological studies," explained Alexander, on why Stephens was chosen to receive this award. "His strong undergraduate background, his devotion to his vocation, and his strong work ethic puts him academically at the top of his class. We look forward to seeing him continue to grow and develop academically, spiritually, and pastorally."
The
Freeman Award for Merit was established in 1998 by Reed Freeman and his
wife, Nancy, to honor and reward a rising middler student of The School
of Theology that has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and
promise. Freeman, T'96, T'05, was a recipient of the Woods Leadership
Award while he was attending The School of Theology.
"As
those who were at the DuBose banquet can attest, I was shocked to
receive the Freeman Award," stated Stephens. "Now my initial surprise
has shifted to feeling rather grateful and humbled, not only to be
recognized in this way, but also to be part of such an awesome
environment in Sewanee. This is a remarkable community of learning at
The School of Theology and I am proud to be a member of the class of
2016. My academic work only has meaning because of our common life
together."
