Graduate Fellowships

THE ETHEL W. LANCE HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS FUND The Ethel W. Lance Human and Civil Rights Fund was established in 2016 with a gift from First Presbyterian Church in Cuero, Texas, in memory of Ethel W. Lance, one of nine victims shot and killed on June 17, 2015, at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. This annual award is given to a graduating senior who, during their time at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, demonstrated outstanding contributions to human or civil rights. SAM O. MORRIS III AWARD The Sam O. Morris III Award in Youth Ministry was established in 2021 by an anonymous donor to honor the life, person, and ministry of The Reverend Sam Morris. Reverend Morris was a United Methodist minister in the Mississippi Annual Conference and a key figure in youth ministry in the southeastern United States. Under his leadership, hundreds of young people came to Christian faith and dozens responded to a call to ministry. The award is given each year to a graduating MAYM student who demonstrates outstanding gifts for, and commitment to, the church’s ministries with youth, based on the recommendation of the Seminary’s professors of youth ministry. THE MAX SHERMAN AND BARBARA JORDAN FELLOWSHIP FUND The Max Sherman and Barbara Jordan Fellowship Fund was established in 2008 by Michael and Deborah Jinkins of Austin, Texas. The fund provides an annual award to one member of the graduating class who demonstrates a significant potential to integrate faith and public policy. The award is made on the basis of Christian character, scholarship, record of public service, and potential for leadership upon recommendation to the faculty by the academic dean.

JOHN B. SPRAGENS AWARD This award was funded by Dr. Kenneth Richardson and his wife, Roberta, Mrs. Charles H. Byrd, and friends of John B. Spragens. The award is to be given each year to an outstanding graduate, selected by the faculty, based on the recommendation of the Seminary’s professor of Christian education, to be used for further training in Christian education.

GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS

Each year the Seminary awards up to five fellowships to graduating seniors. Awards are based on Christian character, academic achievement, and promise for ministry.

ALSUP-FRIERSON FELLOWSHIP The Alsup-Frierson Fellowship for Excellence in Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics was established in 2005 by the families of John and Carole Alsup of Georgetown, Texas, and Clarence and Betty Frierson of Shreveport, Louisiana, in recognition of the long-standing tradition of excellence in biblical studies at Austin Seminary. The award is granted annually to the MDiv or MATS graduating student deemed by the Biblical Department (and approved by the faculty as a whole) to have demonstrated excellence in the field of biblical exegesis and hermeneutics.