The Alliance Awards

Download: Program to Honor Outstanding Faculty Members (PDF)

Download: Program to Honor Outstanding Administrators (PDF)

The Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education believes that a life and career dedicated to Christian Higher Education through thought, leadership, and scholarship is a definite ministry and calling in the body of Christ. As a result, the Commission has established four distinct awards that recognize the contributions of administrators and faculty to Assemblies of God higher education.

Current Distinguished Awards Recipients

Two awards recognize distinguished service: the Distinguished Administrator Award (Omicron Alpha) and the Distinguished Educator Award (Delta Alpha). These awards have been established for the purpose of recognizing those who have distinguished themselves in the Fellowship by consistent excellence in scholarship and service in administration and teaching. It also recognizes that they have made an outstanding contribution and lifetime commitment to postsecondary education in the Assemblies of God. National recognition at General Council is given to the recipients of the Distinguished Administrator Award and the Distinguished Educator Award. [Previous Distinguish Award Recipients]

College Administrators and Educators Honored for Distinguished Service

The Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education presented its Distinguished Administrator and Distinguished Educator Awards during its biennial luncheon on Thursday, August 9, 2007, at the Hyatt Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Carolyn J. Tennant, North Central University, Dr. James H. Railey, Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and Dr. Donald Baldwin (posthumously), Vanguard University, received the Delta Alpha Distinguished Educator Award. Dr. Delmer Guynes, Southwestern Assemblies of God University, and Dr. Wayne Kraiss, Vanguard University, received the Omicron Alpha Distinguished Administrator Award.

Since 1983, Dr. Tennant has held various positions at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has served as a faculty member, Dean of Students, Vice President of Student Life, Vice President of Institutional Life and Innovation, and Vice President of Academic Affairs. She has authored, edited and contributed to several books and articles and spearheaded the inception of NCU Press.

Dr. Railey joined the faculty of Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, in 1991. He has served as chair of both the Bible and Theology Department and the Practical Theology Department and participated on many seminary committees. He frequently writes for church publications and has contributed articles and book reviews to professional journals. He is currently working on a single-volume Pentecostal systematic theology textbook. Dr. Railey also taught at Southeastern Assemblies of God University from 1979 to 1990.

Dr. Baldwin taught at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California, for 28 years before his death in 2005. He was a Professor of Religion, Chair for the Religion Division and Associate Chair for Religion in the School for Professional Studies. He also taught at Evangel University and served as an adjunct instructor at Melodyland School of Theology, Anaheim, California, and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.

When Dr. Guynes has not been traveling the world ministering to churches, camps and missionaries, he has served at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. He served two separate terms as president for a total of 12 years. He has ministered as the school’s chaplain since 2000. In addition he served as the executive vice president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary for four years and Personal Secretary for Assemblies of God World Missions.

During his tenure at Vanguard University, Dr. Kraiss has served as Director of Development and Instructor in the Department of Religion. He was president of Vanguard from 1975 to 2000 and chancellor from 2000 to 2003. He has also served as Commissioner of Christian Higher Education for the General Council of the Assemblies of God, and Vice President of Finance at Evangel University.

In addition to these distinguished awards, several administrators and educators received recognition for years of faithful service. One college administrator was honored for 30 years of service and another for 20 years. Twelve faculty members were recognized for 25 years of service and three were recognized for 35 years of service.

Faithful Service Awards

Two other awards recognizing faithful service have been established: Administrator Award (Omicron Pi) and the Educator Award (Delta Sigma). These awards give special recognition to administrators and professors who have rendered outstanding service to the Assemblies of God Fellowship as reflected by their commitment and years of service at AG academic institutions.

The awards are presented by a college official or a representative from the Christian Higher Education Department during a chapel service or at another appropriate gathering.

Educator Awards

Administrator Awards