On Friday, May 8, the University of the South in its 169th year will hold a Convocation for the Conferring of Degrees from the School of Theology. The convocation will be held at 10 a.m. in All Saints’ Chapel. The seminary will graduate 24 students receiving varying diplomas, certificates, and degrees from Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen.
JOIN THE LIVESTREAM
2026 Graduates of the School of Theology
Doctor of Ministry
Claire Sims
Christopher Evetts
Scott Parnell
David Jackson
Clare Barrie
Birch Rambo
Skip Walker
Master in Sacred Theology
Sara Miller-Schulte
Master of Arts
Apollo Dailey
Austin Puckett
Gabriel Rice
Carissa Riedesel
Jurinesz Shadrach
Timothy Wier
Damien White
Master of Divinity
Adam Ballintoy, Dioceses of East Tennessee
Adell Dennis, Diocese of Upper South Carolina
Gary Fetter, Diocese of East Carolina
Alva Hart, Diocese of Kansas
Liam Nieman, Diocese of Mississippi
Allison Pace, Diocese of Southern Virginia
Senior Prizes, Awards, and Recognition
The School of Theology holds several events leading up to commencement, including the semester’s final Principal Eucharist and community lunch held in Cravens Hall during which senior prizes and awards are presented. This year the dean of the School of Theology, the Very Rev. Dr. James F. Turrell, recognized outstanding achievements by graduating seniors and presented senior prizes. Dean Turrell began by recognizing seminarians who have served the School in various ways during this past year.
- Student Body President—Adelle Dennis
- Senior Class Representative—Adam Ballintoy
Turrell additionally recognized sacristans who have a central role, often unheralded, in the worship life of the seminary community. Members of the senior class who served as sacristans this academic year are:
- Liam Nieman, Head Sacristan
- Allison Pace
- Adam Ballintoy
- Adelle Dennis
Awards previously presented to graduating seminarians
Woods Leadership Award: The Woods Leadership Award is presented to a member of the Middler Class who has most successfully taken the initiative in assuming a leadership role in the class. Adelle Dennis was recognized with the Woods Leadership Award in the fall of 2024.
Freeman Award for Merit: The Freeman Award for Merit was established by the Rev. Reed H. Freeman and his wife Nancy. It is awarded to a rising Middler who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and promise in the junior year. Liam Nieman was recognized with the Freeman Awarded for Merit Award in the fall of 2024.
Senior Prizes
- The School of Theology Prize in Biblical Studies—Adelle Dennis
- The School of Theology Prize in Theology and Ethics—Adelle Dennis
- The School of Theology Prize in Historical Studies—Jurinesz Shadrach
- The School of Theology Prize in Practical Theology—Liam Nieman
- The School of Theology Prize in Community Service—Austin Puckett
- The George Thomas Shettle Prize for Liturgical Reading - Adam Ballintoy
The Annual Episcopal Preaching Foundation Award: The Annual Episcopal Preaching Foundation Award is bestowed upon the individual who, in the estimation of the dean and faculty, has demonstrated excellence in preaching. This award is sponsored annually by the Episcopal Preaching Foundation and was awarded this year to Gary Fetter.
Please join the School of Theology in celebrating and saying farewell to our graduates, many of whom have been active members of the seminary and larger plateau community for the last three years. The service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend.
