Faculty Scholarship & Distinctions
Our faculty are recognized around the world, not only for their teaching, but also for their scholarship and are distinguished among their peers.
Among them you'll find Fulbright Scholars, Guggenheim Fellows, recipients of National Endowment for the Humanities and other prestigious fellowships, grantees of honorary doctorates, honorees of the American Academy of Religion, fellows of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and past presidents of the Society of Biblical Literature.
This is a selection of some of the most recent awards our faculty received. See individual faculty profiles for listings by awardee.
Awards & Distinctions by Year
Nichole R. Phillips, Associate Professor in the Practice of Religion and Society; Director of the Black Church Studies Program
“Black Faith, Bodies, Mother Mortality and COVID-19: A Response to Religion, Science and Medicine,” a sociology of science and religion research project funded by The Templeton Religion Trust and coordinated by the Issachur Fund in partnership with Rice University and the University of California, San Diego, 2020-2023
Deanna Ferree Womack, Associate Professor of History of Religions and Interfaith Studies; Director of the Master of Religious Leadership (MRL) Program
Sabbatical Grant for Researchers, Louisville Institute, for "Imaging Islam: Gender, Race, and American Protestant Encounters with Muslims," 2021-2022
Helen Jin Kim, Assistant Professor of American Religious History
"Young Scholar in American Religion" Award, 2022
Joel Kemp, Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible
Inductee, Martin Luther King Jr. Collegium of Scholars (Morehouse College), 2022
Jennifer R. Ayres, Associate Professor of Religious Education; Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
The United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award, 2022
Jennifer R. Ayres, Associate Professor of Religious Education; Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
The Provost’s Distinguished Teaching Award for Excellence in Graduate and Professional Education, 2022
Deanna Ferree Womack, Associate Professor of History of Religions and Interfaith Studies; Director of the Master of Religious Leadership (MRL) Program
Neighbors: Christians and Muslims Building Community selected as one of the top ten recommended books for ministry for 2021 by The Academy of Parish Clergy
Khalia J. Williams, Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation; Associate Professor in the Practice of Worship; Co-Director of the Baptist Studies Program
Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars, Morehouse College, 2021
Damon Williams, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Ministry; Co-Director of the Baptist Studies Program
Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars, Morehouse College, 2021
Kevin Murriel, Assistant Professor in the Practice of Practical Theology and Black Methodist Seminarians Program Director
Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars, Morehouse College, 2021
Pui Lan Kwok, Dean's Professor of Systematic Theology; Special Advisor to the Dean for Strategic Changes
The Lanfranc Award for Education and Scholarship, The Archbishop of Canterbury, 2021
Marla Frederick, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture
Martin Luther King, Jr. Board of Preachers, Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars, Morehouse College, 2021
Marla Frederick, Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Religion and Culture
Elected President of the American Academy of Religion, 2021
Noel Leo Erskine, Professor of Theology and Ethics
"On Eagle's Wings" Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2021
Elizabeth M. Bounds, Associate Professor of Christian Ethics
Provost's Distinguished Teaching Award, Emory University, 2021
Jennifer R. Ayres, Associate Professor of Religious Education; Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
The Vulcan Materials Company Teaching Excellence Award, 2021
Jennifer R. Ayres, Associate Professor of Religious Education; Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program
The United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry Exemplary Teacher Award, 2021
Antonio Eduardo Alonso, Aquinas Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture; Director of Catholic Studies
2021 Hispanic Theological Initiative Book Prize, Commodified Communion: Eucharist, Consumer Culture, and the Practice of Everyday Life (Fordham University Press, 2021)
Antonio Eduardo Alonso, Aquinas Assistant Professor of Theology and Culture; Director of Catholic Studies
Vital Worship Grant for 2021 by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship