Highlights from Perkins graduation 2026

Family and friends gathered at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 16, to celebrate the graduating class of Perkins School of Theology at SMU during the Celebration of Degrees and Academic Achievements.

The service began at 2 p.m. in the church’s main sanctuary, with doors opening at 1 p.m. Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean Bryan P. Stone led the service, and Bishop Laura Merrill delivered the sermon.

The ceremony included the recognition of graduates and the presentation of select academic and community honors. The event was also livestreamed for those unable to attend in person.

A reception hosted by Perkins followed at 3:30 p.m. in the Prothro Great Hall. Graduates, their guests, and Perkins faculty, staff, and students attended the celebration.

Later that evening, graduates participated in SMU’s university-wide Commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. in Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Commencement speaker was Eric Dickerson, SMU alumnus and Pro Football Hall of Famer. The ceremony concluded with the singing of “Varsity” and a fireworks celebration.

Awards

During the program, Dr. Bryan Stone, Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean, presented the following awards for outstanding academic achievement:

The Dr. and Mrs. J.P. Bray Award in Hebrew, awarded to the students ranking highest in Hebrew scholarship.

• David Henderson
• Maddie Wiltse

The Faculty Award in Greek, awarded to the student ranking highest in New Testament Greek scholarship.

• JinRi Kim

The Charley T. and Jesse James Bible Awards, awarded to students on the basis of academic achievement in biblical courses and overall scholastic performance.

• Rich Dudley

The W. B. DeJernett Award in Homiletics, awarded to the senior student with the highest academic average in courses in homiletics.

• Caitlin Cress

The Paul W. Quillian Award in Homiletics, awarded to the students presenting the best written sermons.

• Michael Munro
• Josue Bonilla

The William K. McElvaney Preaching Award, is awarded to the student presenting the best written sermon on a public issue, including a social crisis, controversial issue or chronic social problem.

• Linda Johnson

The Robert Weatherford Prize for Internship Preaching, established to honor the distinguished service of Robert Weatherford to the United Methodist Foundation, is awarded to Master of Divinity students for excellence in preaching during internship.

• Melanie Beller
• Paula Garrett

The Hoyt Hickman Award for Outstanding Liturgical Scholarship and Practice, awarded by The Order of St. Luke to the graduating student demonstrating excellence in the study of liturgy and effectiveness in leading Christian worship.

• Amber Jamison

The Albert C. Outler Award in Theology, awarded to the student contributing the most outstanding essays in theology during the academic year.

• Richard Dudley

The B'nai B'rith Award in Social Ethics, awarded by the Harold M. Kaufman Memorial Foundation to students demonstrating scholarly competence in social ethics and personal commitment through voluntary service supporting worthy social causes.

• Andi Villar Arroyo
• Laureen Marcelino

The Harry Hosier Spirit Award, established by Perkins alumnus Rev. Dr. Henry Masters, is awarded to the graduating student who best exemplifies the spirit of Harry Hosier, expressed in his “elocution of faith: I sing by faith, preach by faith, pray by faith, and do everything by faith."

• Carolyn Barker

The Roger Deschner Prize in Sacred Music, established in memory of Roger Deschner, longtime professor of sacred music at Perkins, is awarded to M.S.M. students excelling in academic work, musical ability and overall achievement in the program.

• Brooke Clark-Gibson
• Jackie Ancelet

The Dr. and Mrs. Glenn Flinn Senior Award, awarded to the member or members of the graduating class who, in the judgment of the faculty, best exemplify the aims of the school and the church for its ministry.

• Carolyn Barker
• Rich Dudley