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2026 Divinity Commencement Awards and Certificates

Dean Yolanda Pierce presents the 2026 Divinity School Founder’s Medal to Isabel Draper. Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost C. Cybele Raver stand alongside them on stage.
2026 Divinity School Founder’s Medalist Isabel Draper receives their medal from Dean Yolanda Pierce, alongside Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Provost C. Cybele Raver.

Academic and Service Awards

Each year, Vanderbilt Divinity School recognizes graduating students for excellence in scholarship, ministry, leadership, and service. These awards and certificates honor students whose achievements reflect the school’s commitments to academic rigor, faithful leadership, justice, and community engagement. The following graduates were recognized during the 2026 Commencement exercises for academic achievement, service, and completion of certificate programs. 

Isabel Draper, the 2026 Divinity School Founder’s Medalist, stands smiling while wearing a tan suit and a gold medal around their neck.
Isabel Draper, 2026 Founder’s Medalist for the Divinity School.

The Founder’s Medal for First Honors in the Divinity School’s Class of 2026 for the master of divinity:

Isabel Billings Draper

The Academic Achievement Award for achieving a high standard of scholarship while fulfilling the requirements for the master of theological studies:

Amy Li Bush

The Frederick Buechner Prize for the outstanding thesis:

Amy Li Bush

The Umphrey Lee Dean’s Award for exemplifying the mission and vision of the Divinity School:

Melody Heart Suite

Rea Green crouches down with their arms wrapped affectionately around their service dog, Xyrus, smiling for a pose while wearing full academic regalia.
Rea Green poses in full academic regalia with their service dog, Xyrus.

The William A. Newcomb Prize for receiving honors on one's master of divinity degree project:

Reagan Nicole Green

The Methodist Student Association Award for exemplifying the Wesleyan ideals of Christian servant leadership:

Reagan Nicole Green

The Student Government Association Service Award presented to a student for significant contributions to the Divinity School community:

Reagan Nicole Green

A'Leeyah Ponder smiles as Lauren Heatherly carefully adjusts her academic regalia ahead of the Divinity School Commencement ceremony.
A'Leeyah Ponder prepares for Divinity School Commencement.

The Saint James Academy Award for composing the outstanding sermon:

A’Leeyah Shree Ponder

The Liston O. Mills Award for academic distinction in pastoral theology and the study of religion, psychology, and culture:

CJ Vir Desai

A’Leeyah Shree Ponder

The W. Kendrick Grobel Award for achievement in Biblical studies:

Sean Scott Galloway

Grey Kenna smiles as she accepts her diploma from Dean Yolanda Pierce on stage during the Divinity School Commencement ceremony, both wearing full academic regalia.
Grey Kenna accepts her diploma from Dean Pierce.

The J.D. Owen Prize and the Luke-Acts Prize for accomplishments in New Testament studies:

Katrina Armas

The Wilbur F. Tillett Prize for accomplishments in the study of theology:

Margaret Elizabeth Grey Kenna

The Elliott F. Shepard Prize for accomplishments in church history:

Kevin Allen Moore

Graeme Dennis smiles and waves cheerfully while standing next to the Divinity School flag in full academic regalia.
Graeme Dennis stands next to the Divinity School flag.

The Florence Conwell Prize for accomplishments in preaching:

Kenneth James Trader

The John Olin Knott Award for scholarly and creative writing:

Graeme Early Dennis

Sarah Oh

Hampton Teague Randall

The Frederick Buechner Prize for the outstanding doctor of ministry project:

David Williams smiles as he receives his diploma and shakes hands with Dean Yolanda Pierce on stage, both dressed in full academic regalia.
David Williams receives his diploma and a handshake from Dean Pierce.

Karon F. Johnson

Michael Thomas Spoke

The Doctorate of Ministry Award for distinction in integrative care practices:

David Ryan Williams

The Nella May Overby Memorial Award for honors in field education:

Nicholas Oluwasegun Salako

The Disciples Divinity House Scholar Award presented to a student who excels academically and who holds great promise for ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ):

Christy Leigh Brown

Tayana Hardin smiles as she accepts her diploma from Dean Yolanda Pierce on stage, both dressed in full academic regalia.
Tayana Hardin accepts her diploma from Dean Pierce.

The Robert Lewis Butler Award for service and ministry in the African American Church:

Tayana L. Hardin

The Bettye R. Ford Graduate Student Service Award for significant contributions to Vanderbilt University’s Graduate Department of Religion:

Jamil Grimes

The Student Government Association Service Award presented to a member of the administration, faculty, and staff for significant contributions to the Divinity School community:

Stephanie A. Budwey, M.S.M., Th.D., the Luce Dean’s Fellow Assistant Professor of the History and the Practice of Christian Worship and the Arts; Director of the Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture

Certificates

A close-up portrait of Natalie Aikman in their graduation cap, smiling and showcasing their muted pink eyeshadow blended into the outside corners of their eyes, blue mascara, and a septum nose piercing.
Natalie Aikman poses in their graduation cap.

The Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, Sexuality:

Natalie Aikman

Heather-Elizabeth Leora Brown

David Joseph Washington

Religion and the Arts in Contemporary Culture:

Melody Suite smiles as she accepts her diploma from Dean Yolanda Pierce on stage, both dressed in full academic regalia.
Melody Suite accepts her diploma from Dean Pierce.

Amy Li Bush

CJ Vir Desai

Tayana L. Hardin

Margaret Elizabeth Grey Kenna

Sarah Oh

A’Leeyah Shree Ponder

Melody Heart Suite

Heather-Elizabeth Brown smiles as she receives her diploma and shares a hug with Dean Yolanda Pierce on stage, both dressed in full academic regalia.
Heather-Elizabeth Brown receives her diploma and shares a hug with Dean Pierce.

The Kelly Miller Smith Institute's (KMSI) Certificate in Black Church Studies:

Christy Leigh Brown

Heather-Elizabeth Leora Brown

Jaziah Breshen Masters

A’Leeyah Shree Ponder

David Joseph Washington

Certificate in Social Impact Design and Evaluation (Peabody College):

Amy Bush smiles while standing alongside a group of her fellow graduates in full academic regalia, with a large potted plant positioned behind them.
Amy Bush smiles while standing alongside a group of her fellow graduates.

Sarah Oh

The Graduate Certificate in Asian Studies (College of Arts and Science):

Amy Li Bush

  • Divinity School graduates standing in rows, holding open commencement booklets and singing together during the ceremony, with a blurred green plant visible in the front left corner.
  • A close-up shot of a graduate's hands holding an open white booklet that features a gold Vanderbilt
  • Two Divinity School Doctor of Ministry graduates laugh and smile together in their academic regalia during the commencement celebration.