With in-person Homecoming events returning to campus this November 5-7, Trevecca Nazarene University has announced the honorees for its 2021 Homecoming awards.
“It’s an important part of our rich tradition to recognize alumni and friends who are living examples of faith, service and leadership,” Trevecca President Dr. Dan Boone said. “The seven individuals we’re honoring this year have made a true and lasting impact on Trevecca and their communities all over the nation.”
Honorees for 2021 and their award descriptions are outlined below.
The T-Award is presented to two alumni, one in ministry and one layperson, who have exhibited devotion to service and ministering to others. The ministerial recipient is Jeffrey Johnson, a pastor and Nazarene leader in South Texas who, among other qualifications, has guided a ministry to reach non-traditional Christians. The layperson recipient, Tracy Spaur, has been involved in teaching, preaching and leading small groups at his church in Richmond, Virginia, for more than 40 years, and has represented his Nazarene district in several capacities regionally and nationally.
Mackey Leadership Awards are presented to Trevecca alumni who have excelled in leadership. This year’s recipients include:
- Winston Best, honored posthumously, who became Trevecca’s first student of color upon enrolling in 1964. He would later serve as a teacher, pastor and administrator during an illustrious career in education in California.
- Brad Kelle, a professor, teacher, author, speaker and ordained Nazarene elder who has dedicated his professional life to faithful leadership in the southwestern U.S.
- Dan Moore, founder and CEO of Radiation Business Solutions, who has helped establish cancer centers in underserved areas and started a ministry to provide financial assistance to retired ministers and missionaries.
The McClurkan Award is presented to a non-alumnus/alumna whose life reflects Trevecca’s values. The McClurkan recipient for 2021 is Ruth Cox, a career educator and administrator who has exemplified the integration of faith and learning. Her roles have included director of teacher education at Trevecca, chair of the Tennessee Association for Colleges of Teacher Education and state evaluator for school accreditation. She currently serves as a board member for Nashville nonprofit House2Home, which helps the homeless transition into housing.
The First Chapter Award, given to a recent Trevecca graduate who’s begun a distinguished professional career, will be presented to Kristin Bledsoe. A former educator, she holds three degrees from Trevecca and has used her leadership skills to attain the role of associate director of Trevecca’s online Ed.D. program.
Trevecca’s Homecoming awards will be presented during a Founder’s Day chapel ceremony on Friday, Nov. 5.
More details, including full bios for all honorees, can be found in the fall 2021 issue of the Treveccan alumni magazine.
Media Contact: Brian Bennett