Eighteen Named 2017 Young Maston Scholars

April 3, 2017 Grace Mitchell, Staff Writer/Intern

The 17th annual T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics were held on March 22 and 23. After the first lecture, Dr. Don Williford, dean of the Logsdon Seminary and School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons, announced this year’s Young Maston Scholar recipients. 

The Young Maston Scholar designation is awarded annually by Hardin-Simmons University, home of the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics, in conjunction with nominations made by HSU and other Texas Baptist-partnering universities. 

Each year Texas Baptist-partnering Universities nominate two students from their university to become Young Maston Scholars, an award recognizing outstanding undergraduate students for their interest in, engagement with, and integration of Christian ethics. Eighteen undergraduate students from nine different Baptist universities were named the 2017 Young Maston Scholars. These students will work and study with some of the Maston Foundation leadership.   

Dr. Myles Werntz, the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at HSU, presented students with gifts recognizing their achievement.    

Young Maston Scholar honors went to Nathan Rogers and Rafael Cardoza from East Texas Baptist University, Adam Jones and Caitlin Alexander from Howard Payne Univeristy, Jeffrey Vera and Casey Easterwood from Wayland Baptist University, Evan Horne and Andrew Wittmeier from Houston Baptist Univeristy, Andrew Tague and Kyle Backhus from Dallas Baptist University, Hogan Herritage and Leah Reed from Baylor University, Masyn Evans and Katie Earles from Hardin-Simmons University, Maddie Rarick and Laura Ellis from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and Jhon Mora and Edith Franco from the Baptist University of the Américas.

Evans and Earles were nominated for the honor by the faculty of HSU’s Logsdon School of Theology. They are both juniors majoring in ministry. 

“I feel so honored to have received the Maston Young Scholarship,” Evans said. “It’s so easy to be interested in Christian Ethics when you have professors at Logsdon that push you towards excellence and give you the inspiration to work hard in your classes.”

Earles said she could not believe she was chosen for the award.

“I’m humbled the Logsdon faculty would recommend me for it. I’m also very thankful for professors who challenge me and encourage me to explore my faith even deeper.” 

Nominations for the award are based upon a student’s demonstrated faithfulness to the ethical example of Christ; a commitment to Christian ethics lived out in theological inquiry and academic excellence; an established reputation among peers for ethical Christian leadership; and an articulated clarity in an occupational expression of ministry, though it is not required to be in a congregational setting. 

The students received formal recognition during this year’s lectures on the theme “What’s to Become of Us: Christian Hope in a Posthuman World.” delivered by this year’s Maston Lecturer, Dr. Jeph Holloway, Professor of Theology and Ethics at East Texas Baptist University.

Both the Young Maston Scholar designation and the T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics seek to honor the legacy of Dr. T.B. Maston, longtime professor of Christian Ethics and pioneering Baptist ethicist, known for his writing and teaching in the areas of biblical ethics, race relations, family life, the Christian life and vocation, church and state, and character formation.  

Photo Caption:

Top Row: Nathan Rogers (ETBU), Adam Jones (HPU), Jeffrey Vera (WBU), Casey Easterwood (WBU), Rafael Cardoza (ETBU), Evan Horne (HBU), Andrew Wittmeier (HBU)

Middle Row: Andrew Tague (DBU), Kyle Backhus (DBU), Hogan Herritage (BU), Leah Reed (BU), Masyn Evans (HSU)

Bottom Row: Katie Earles (HSU), Caitlin Alexander (HPU), Maddie Rarick (UMHB), Laura Ellis (UMHB)

Not pictured: Jhon Mora (BUA) and Edith Franco (BUA)

For more information on the T.B. Maston Lectures in Christian Ethics or to view videos of previous lectures, please visit  www.logsdonseminary.org

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