During the final chapel services of the spring 2026 semester, NOBTS commissioned students participating in summer missions work and had a time of celebration to note outstanding academic achievement and performance throughout the year.
Commissioning Service
NOBTS and Leavell College students participating in summer missions work were recognized and prayed for by Associate Professor Greg Mathias during chapel on Thursday, April 30.
Mathias, who also serves as the director of the NOBTS Global Mission Center, invited students who will be serving in some form of domestic or international missions to come forward to receive prayer.
Many such students will be serving with the International Mission Board or the North American Mission Board.
Mathias explained even though the academic year is over, the mission of the seminary continues.
“As we move into the summer, who we are as a people and as an institution doesn’t pause,” Mathias said. “We’re still about preparing servants who walk with Christ, proclaim His truth and fulfill His mission. Praise God we are at a school that takes seriously fulfilling His mission.”
Celebration of Excellence
Notable student performance and faculty achievement were honored during the annual Celebration of Excellence service on Tuesday, May 5.
NOBTS President Jamie Dew opened the last chapel of the spring semester by expressing his gratitude for another year of study, service and ministry preparation.
“It is appropriate in the life of a school like this to celebrate God’s faithfulness to us and to take note of some significant things that have happened in the life of students, faculty and staff,” Dew said.
“It’s been a good year and a full year. There’s been a lot of wonderful things this year that we can take note of and today is about celebrating those things.”
Awards were given to NOBTS and Leavell College students for their outstanding performance in the classroom, ministry service and character.
Outstanding Student Award recipients in the degree programs were:
Other Outstanding Award Recipients included:
Additionally, various NOBTS and Leavell College faculty members were recognized and honored for their service and ministry throughout the year.
Faculty contributions to the church and the academy were recognized with the Marvin Jones Awards for Excellence, named for longtime Louisiana minister of education, church planter, and NOBTS alumnus.
Archie England, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, received the award for Outstanding Teacher in recognition for his classroom performance.
England, who holds J. Wash Watts Chair of Old Testament and Hebrew, has been teaching at NOBTS since 2001.
Outstanding Faculty Churchman went to Greg Woodward, professor of conducting and worship. Woodward serves as the pastor of Faith Baptist Church in New Orleans.
Tyler Wittman, associate professor of theology, received the award for Outstanding Research Professor for the diverse volume of books he has written or contributed to.
Wittman also was the recipient of the Ola Farmer Lenaz Grant in support of his continued research efforts.
Various faculty publications released throughout the year were also recognized.
Several NOBTS and Leavell College staff members were also honored for notable work anniversaries during the ceremony.
Staff member Steve Whatley was recognized for 15 years of service, and staff members Rosia Bethley and Angela Ray were recognized for 20 years of service.
The full commissioning chapel can be viewed here, and the full celebration of excellence service can be watched here.
