Religion Matters
Annual Department of Theological Studies
Undergraduate Student Conference
Saturday, April 13, 2024, 12:00 pm
Theological Studies Village, UH3700
Congratulations to our conference award winners!
The Marie Anne Mayeski Award - Anya Claire Farinksy. Each year, the award is given to a graduating senior in Theological Studies who exemplifies the love of learning and the desire for God, and who has integrated theology into his or her life through research and writing, service, the promotion of justice, and leadership.
The Shannon L. Hamm Award - Grace Laubach. In memory of Shannon L. Hamm, the award is meant to encourage and recognize the academic and community service achievements of a Theology Major or Minor who is a junior.
The Rev. James L. Fredericks Comparative Theology Fellowship (awarded in fall 2023, but publicly recognized at the spring conference) - Samuel Walton and faculty partner Saqib Hussain: To honor the legacy of Rev. James L. Fredericks and his commitment to both comparative theological inquiry and interreligious dialogue by supporting joint student (UG/GR) and THST faculty research in comparative theology in order to promote religious literacy through theological inquiry into two religious traditions.
Highest G.P.A. of Graduating THST Senior - Lyza Weisman. Also known as the Department of Theological Studies Award, the graduating theological studies major or minor with the highest G.P.A. will be recognized with a certificate along with a stipend. They will also be recognized in the commencement program.
Best Conference Project - Clarke Hamilton. "Black Buddhist Reframing Liberation Through Art: Soka Gakkai International Nichiren Buddhist Aretha Busby"
2024 Theta Alpha Kappa Honor Society Inductees:
Anya Farinsky
Osiris Fernanda Guinea Zepeda
Faculty Inductee: Christopher Chapple
Faculty Inductee: Layla Karst