51²è¹Ý

Alumni of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies work in a variety of fields and institutions around the world. Here are just some of their recent accomplishments.

Alumni Spotlight

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Dr. Kevin Watson wins book award.

GPRS alum Dr. Kevin Watson, currently Associate Professor of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies at Candler School of Theology of Emory University, has won the Smith Wynkoop Book Award from the Wesleyan Theological Society for his latest book, Old or New School Methodism?, published in 2019 by Oxford University Press.

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Current and former students celebrate important award for Dr. Bruce Marshall.

. Several of Dr. Marshall's current and former 51²è¹Ý advisees were on hand to celebrate the accomplishment.

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Dr. Fredrick Aquino wins Outstanding Graduate Faculty Award

Dr. Fredrick Aquino, GPRS alum and current Professor of Systematic Theology at Perkins School of Theology at 51²è¹Ý, was recognized as Outstanding Graduate Faculty of the Year in 2019. The award is given to a faculty member who distinguishes themselves in the eyes of their colleagues through their work, dedication, and service. Dr. Aquino was nominated by his peers for an exceptional year of publication, superlative work in maintaining a thriving MA program, and a consistent, Christ-like care for his students both inside and outside the classroom. 

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Placement

GPRS graduates work in numerous fields including academics, corporate and non-profit leadership, faith community leadership, and more. Here are placements for some of the program's graduates.

• Dr. Simeon Ilesanmi - Washington M. Wingate Professor of Religion and Graduate Program Director, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
• Rev. Dr. Michael Greene - Director of Black/Africana Church Studies, Perkins School of Theology, 51²è¹Ý, Dallas, TX
• Rev. Dr. Sharon J. Grant - Associate Professor of History and Director of African American Studies, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX
• Rev. Dr. Michelle Morris - Associate Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Conway, AR
• Dr. Joshua Mauldin - Associate Director, Center of Theological Inquiry, Princeton, NJ
• Dr. Sarah J. Bloesch - Teaching Assistant Professor, Women's and Gender Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• Rev. Dr. Andrew Dunning - Senior Pastor, University Park United Methodist Church, Denver, CO
• Dr. Julian Gonzalez - Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA
• Dr. Justus Hunter - Assistant Professor of Church History, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH
• Dr. Stephen Riley - Assistant Professor of Old Testament, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID
• Dr. Garth Allen - Director of Spiritual Life, YMCA Silver Bay, Silver Bay, NY
• Dr. Stacy Adams - Senior Consultant, Quisitive, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Dallas J. Gingles - Assistant Dean of Hybrid Education/Associate Professor of Practice in Systemic Theology and Christian Ethics, Perkins School of Theology, 51²è¹Ý, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Spencer Bogle - Program Director, The Water Project, Concord, NH
• Dr. Jared Maddox - Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, St. Helens, OR / Adjunct Instructor - Pacific School of Religion
• Dr. Thomas Van Wart - Assistant Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, FL
• Dr. David Mahfood - Assistant Professor, Johnson University, Knoxville, TN
• Dr. Timothy McGee - Chaplain and Coordinator of Interfaith and Inclusion Initiatives, Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
• Dr. Julie A. Mavity Maddalena - University Chaplain, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Director of the Ulrich Center for Faith, Ethics, and Justice, Ulrich Ethicist in Residence, Lakeland University, Plymouth, WI
• Dr. Angel Gallardo - Associate Director, Perkins Intern Program, Perkins School of Theology, 51²è¹Ý, Dallas, TX
• Rev. Dr. Nathan McLellan - CEO and Senior Teaching Fellow, Venn Foundation, Auckland, New Zealand
• Rev. Dr. Natalya Cherry - Assistant Professor in Methodist Studies, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
• Dr. Leslie Fuller - Reference and Digital Resources Librarian, Perkins School of Theology, 51²è¹Ý, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Benjamin G. Robinson - Live Free Texas Organizer, Dallas, TX
• Rev. Dr. Gary MacDonald - Pastor, Boger's Chapel United Methodist Church, Concord, NC / Adjunct Instructor, South Piedmont Community College, Monroe, NC
• Rev. Dr. Daniel Houck - Pastor, Calvary Hill Baptist Church
• Dr. Mitchell Kennard - Researcher and Writer, Living Stream Ministry, Dallas, TX
• Rev. Dr. Scot Bontrager - Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Richardson, TX
• Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Moore - Pastor, St. Stephen United Methodist Church, Mesquite, TX
• Dr. Toby Eisenberg - Partner, Lindquist Eisenberg, LLP
• Dr. Haley Feuerbacher - Director, Denton Wesley Foundation, Denton, TX
• Dr. David Luckey - Adjunct Professor of Religion, Dallas College, Richland Campus, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Cheryl Strimple - Learning and Development Partner, National General Insurance, Fort Worth, TX
• Dr. Andrew Klumpp - Editor, Annals of Iowa
• Dr. Grace Vargas - Assistant Professor of Latinx Religious Traditions, Department of Religion, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
• Dr. Justin Barringer - Adjunct Faculty in Religious Studies, Hendrix College, Conway, AR
• Dr. Fellipe do Vale - Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, IL
• Dr. William Glass - Founder of Side Street Digital Services
• Dr. Lisa Hancock - Director of Worship Arts at Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church
• Dr. David Moser - Assistant Professor of Theology, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University, Baton, LA
• Dr. April Simpson - Assistant Professor of Religion, Georgetown College, Georgetown, KY
• Dr. Marie O. Purcell - Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion, Texas Christian University, Ft. Worth, TX
• Dr. Abigail Woolley Cutter - Assistant Professor of Theology at King University, Bristol, TN
• Dr. Kelsey Spinnato Gipson - Assistant Professor of Theology, Texas Lutheran University, Seguin, TX
• Rev. Dr. Lane Davis - Assistant Professor of Church History and United Methodist Studies, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, IN
• Dr. Tyler Womack - Adjunct Lecturer, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
• Rev. Dr. Matthew Esquivel - Director of Pastoral Care, Storehouse Church, Dallas, TX
• Dr. Danny Sebastien - Provisional Assistant Professor of Theology and Global Church Ministry, Evangel University, Springfield, MO

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Stay Connected:

GPRS Alumni, we'd like to hear from you. Contact us at: gradreli@smu.edu with news and updates so we can celebrate and feature your accomplishments.