“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce" (Proverbs 3:9)
These Trinity students were presented with academic and leadership awards as part of Capital University’s Honors Convocation on April 16, 2025
Colleen Campbell (MTS ’25) received The Rev. Karen L. Battle Excellence Award, given to a graduating student who exemplifies Rev. Battle’s lifelong commitment to empowering diverse church leaders. Campbell is Associate Minister at Union Grove Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. The Battle Excellence Award was established this year to honor the fortieth anniversary of the ordination of the Rev. Karen L. Battle, M.Div. ’86.
Elli Cucksey (MTS ’25) received the Gerhard H Doermann Award in Christian Education, given to a student who shows outstanding potential for and commitment to the church’s educational ministry. Cucksey is Head Librarian of Trinity’s Hamma Library.
Carla Dowling-Fitzpatrick (MTS) was one of two recipients of the Edward and Leona Peters Award, given to students who excel in leadership on and off campus and demonstrate maturity in dealing with people and problems. Dowling-Fitzpatrick, who practiced law as an Attorney for more than 31 years, currently serves as a Congregation Care Minister at Greater Twelfth Missionary Baptist Church.
Tammy Eckhart (MTS) received the Lay Church Service Award, given to an MA or MTS student who exhibits faith, compassion, commitment to the Gospel, dedication to preparation for service to the Church, and gifts of outstanding leadership as exemplified through participation in community life. Eckhart is a Regional Ministry Director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Phillip Gulley (MTS) was one of two recipients of the Edward and Leona Peters Award, given to students who excel in leadership on and off campus and demonstrate maturity in dealing with people and problems. Gulley is a chaplain with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Frederick LaMarr (MTS ’25) received the Bertha Trost Award, given to a graduating student who shows outstanding commitment to church leadership. LaMarr is Pastor of Family Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus.
Marcus Martin (MTS ’25) received the Paul F. Aufderstrasse Award, given to a graduating student for excellence in preaching. Martin is Pastor of New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus.
Jen Middleton (M.Div.) received the Edward C. Fendt Award, given to a first-year student who excels in personal conduct, academic performance, human relationships, and religious dedication. Middleton is a physician specializing in family medicine with the OhioHealth Physician Group in Columbus.
Kim Robinson (MTS) received the James L. Schaaf Memorial Award for excellence in church history. Robinson is the leader of True Worship Ministry, a family ministry she founded to help her family deal with grief and loss over the past five years.
Joseph Stanley (MTS ’25) received the Karl F. Trost Award, given to a graduating student who shows outstanding commitment to parish ministry. Stanley is Senior Pastor of Greater Twelfth Baptist Church in Columbus.
We also celebrate with second-year M.Div. student Tony Maggio, who was recently awarded a Mission Developer Scholarship from the ELCA Fund for Leaders. Maggio will be starting internship at the end of the summer, with responsibilities both at Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pickerington, Ohio, and at HopeWood Outdoors (formerly Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio).
Also, early congratulations to the three MDiv graduates and eight MTS graduates in the Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University Class of 2025. This year’s commencement is on Saturday, May 24.
The Rev. Kit Kleinhans, Ph.D.
Dean, Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University
Trinity Lutheran Seminary forms leaders for Christ’s church at work in the world.