Alumni / ae Awards
Contact: alumni@united.edu
Eckels Society
The Eckels Society identifies and honors United Theological Seminary graduates of 40 or more years who have given dedicated service to Christ. The Society is named for the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Eckels who earned a diploma and five degrees from United over the years from 1941 to 1989. Harry Eckels exemplified dedication to the church, faithful service in ministry, deep pastoral care for all he met, a sincere life-long commitment to continuing education and the best that the United alumni/ae represent. This Society, named in his honor, is our way of recognizing those who, like Harry Eckels, honor God, Christ, the Church and United Theological Seminary by their lives.
Effective Ministry Award
Beginning in 1976, United’s Alumni/ae Association began awarding the Effective Ministry Award to one of its alumni/ae. This award is given to a person who has developed outstanding new or unique ministries, who is engaged in a particular local expression of ministry and witness, or who serves in challenging areas of ministry defined by characteristics such as geographic region or cross-cultural appointments.
Year | Name | Class |
---|---|---|
2020 | Keith Troy | '92 |
2019 | Brad Kalajainen | '99 |
2018 | Gary L. Olin | ’67 |
2018 | James C. Wilson II | '90 and '94 |
2017 | Wade Giffin | '91 |
2016 | Ernie Bringas | '66 |
2016 | Eugene Skipworth | '66 |
2015 | Michael Bowie | '07 |
2013 | Bernie Lieving | '63 |
2012 | Billie Ann Maynard | '77 |
2012 | James H. Maynard | '77 |
2011 | David F. Martin | '72 |
2010 | Cathy Johns | '84 |
2009 | Ronald A. Mowry | '72 |
2007 | Farrell Bruce Williams | '94 |
2007 | Kenneth W. Cummings | '93 |
2005 | Martha Matteson | '87 |
2005 | Patricia Green | '93 |
2003 | Dorsey E. Levell | '60 |
2001 | Dot Erickson | '67 |
2001 | Judith A. Stone Olin | ’67 and ’88 |
1986 | Joyce E. Fry | '71 |
1985 | James W. Grubb | '68 |
1984 | Harold R. Biederman | '63 |
1983 | Jaime Potter-Miller | '75 |
1982 | Charles J. Chipman | '57 |
1982 | Paul A. Lauchle | '76 |
1981 | Thomas L. Salsgiver | '75 |
1980 | James E. Flinchbaugh | '47 |
1979 | Keith A. Shepherd | '50 |
1978 | Alan S. Brown | '64 |
1978 | Robert S. Zimmerman | '58 |
1977 | Glenn M. Dietrich | '56 |
1977 | Richard Kohler | '55 |
1976 | Paul W. Frees | '38 |
Distinguished Alumnus/a Award
In the mid-1980s, another award was established, the Distinguished Alumnus/a Award. It honors those who have obtained denominational, ecumenical or professional distinction.
Year | Name | Class |
---|---|---|
2020 | Cynthia Davis | ’05 |
2020 | Elvernice “Sonny” Davis | '05 |
2019 | James Bushfield | ’79 and ’92 |
2017 | Joseph Chandler | '13 |
2016 | David Schar | '66 |
2015 | Vashti McKenzie | '93 |
2014 | Ronald Patterson | '67 |
2013 | Martha Mullen | '02 |
2012 | Gregory G. M. Ingram | '91 |
2012 | Jessica Kendall Ingram | '94 |
2011 | G. Edwin Zeiders | '73 |
2010 | John K. Bergland | '55 |
2009 | Daniel Shearer | '41 |
2007 | Suzan Johnson Cook | '90 |
2003 | Floyd H. Flake | '95 |
2001 | Neil L. Irons | '63 |
1999 | George W. Bashore | '58 |
1998 | Vernon K. Robbins | '63 |
1996 | Shirley K. Cadle | '72 |
1995 | David H. Andrews | '54 |
1994 | Joseph H. Yeakel | ’52 |
1992 | Newell J. Wert | '50 |
1991 | Captolia D. Newbern | ’80 and ’82 |
1991 | Louis and Dorothee Ryterband, Distinguished Honorary Alumnus Award | |
1990 | Frederick D. Hill | '58 |
1989 | John A. Smith | '36 |
1989 | Virginia Smith (wife), Distinguished Honorary Alumna Award | |
1987 | Roy E. Bosserman | '45 |
1984 | Harry L. Eckels | '44 |
Outstanding D.Min. Alumnus/a Award
In 2012, another award was established, the Outstanding D.Min. Alumnus/a. It honors those who have developed an outstanding program or ministry outreach as a result of effective work in United’s Doctor of Ministry program.
Year | Name | Class |
---|---|---|
2020 | Steve Cordle | '99 |
2019 | Sandra Coley | '14 |
2018 | Gregory Draper | ’16 |
2017 | Stacey Cole Wilson | '12 |
2015 | Steve Gill | '08 |
2014 | Mike Slaughter | '90 |
2013 | Stephen Swisher | ’94 and ’00 |
2013 | Teresa McIlwain | ’03 |
2012 | Allyson D. Nelson Abrams | '00 and '05 |
Nominate Someone
Nominations for all three awards are accepted. Based on the nominations, the awards are presented at the Alumni/ae Banquet, held each fall in conjunction with the J. Arthur Heck Lectures.