2023 Alumni/ae Award Recipients
For over 200 years, Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School has etched into its DNA a commitment to peace and justice that has been lived out through its many iterations and that continues today to guide the way in which we engage in theological education. As we continue to live into what it means to be a seminary of and for the community, the alumni/ae awards help recognize and celebrate the achievements of our global alumni/ae community and is a time for us to reflect on what it means to be faithful to our distinctive Christian identity committed to practices of peace, service, and justice.
Distinguished Alumni/ae Award
One of the finest traditions of CRCDS is its commitment to excellence in all dimensions of theological education. This award recognizes alumni/ae whose scholarship, teaching or leadership and contributions to vocational formation for ministry reflect the best traditions of CRCDS and its distinguished faculty.
Criteria for this award:
Nominees are proposed by members of the CRCDS community in recognition of their:
- Exceptional professional accomplishments
- Outstanding leadership and effectiveness in community involvement at the local, national, or global level.
- Embodiment of the core values of the institution; community, collaboration, compassion, flexibility, and respect.
- The Distinguished Alumni/ae Award Alumnus/a Award is presented to a graduate from a degree program of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School(CRCDS), Colgate Rochester Divinity School (CRDS), Crozer Theological Seminary (CTS), and the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS)
Awardee:
This year’s Distinguished Alumni/ae Awardee is the Rev. Dr. Cathleen R. Narowitz. Dr. Narowtiz graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary (CTS) in 1957. She was the only woman in her graduating class, as well as the only woman in the entire seminary. At the time it was difficult for women to find a place in the seminary community, and Dr. Narowitz was still able to achieve her goals. After graduating, Dr. Narowitz served 26 interim ministry positions in the American Baptist Churches, USA. Her journey goes to show that anything is possible with a supportive community behind you, like the one that’s been created at Crozer. In 1974 she received her doctorate from Andover Newton Theological Seminary.
Peace, Service, and Justice Award
The Peace, Service, and Justice Award is presented to alumni/ae who, through words and actions, has a had a positive impact on their community.
Nominees are proposed by members of the CRCDS community in recognition of their:
- Unique ministry and career to the areas of one of the following: peace, service, and justice.
- Embodiment of the core values of the institution; community, collaboration, compassion, flexibility, and respect.
- The Peace, Service, and Justice Award is presented to a graduate from a degree program of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS), Colgate Rochester Divinity School (CRDS), Crozer Theological Seminary (CTS), and the Baptist Missionary Training School (BMTS) who has reshaped our community.
Awardee:
This year’s Peace, Service, and Justice Awardee is the Rev. G. Travis Norvell. Rev. Norvell is a 2000 graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School where he received his Master of Divinity. He presently serves as Pastor of Judson Memorial Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is an adjunct faculty member at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He has served as an American Baptist pastor for more than 22 years in both small towns and urban churches. He is passionate about the social gospel in the local church as the link for both social justice and church renewal.
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award is presented to alumni/ae in recognition of faithful contribution to ministry in Church and Society. This award is open to alum who have graduated within the past ten years. The award can include specialized ministries of chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, social service, community organizing, social justice, advocacy, and education.
Nominees are proposed by members of the CRCDS community in recognition of their:
- Unique ministry and career in an area of specialized ministry the award can include specialized ministries of chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, social service, community organizing, social justice, advocacy, and education.
- Embodiment of the core values of the institution; community, collaboration, compassion, flexibility, and respect.
- The Emerging Leader Award is presented to a graduate from a degree program of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School (CRCDS), in the last ten years.
Awardee:
This year’s Emerging Leader Award is the Rev. Myra Brown. Rev. Brown is a 2020 graduate of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School where she received her Master of Arts degree. She presently serves as Pastor at Spiritus Christi Church in Rochester, New York.