Harding School of Theology is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Evertt W. Huffard as its 2021 Alumnus of the Year. The award is given each year to the graduate whose life and service best exemplify the school’s ideals with special attention to the school’s theme for the year, which in the 2020-2021 academic year was The Church in Mission. A committee of HST alumni convened on June 21, 2021, to consider nine nominations for the award. An occasion to bestow the award on Dr. Huffard is anticipated this fall in Memphis. Dr. Huffard joins a long line of recipients dating to 1974, when Jimmie Moffett was named the school’s first Alumnus of the Year. Learn more about Dr. Huffard here.
2021 Alumni Nominations
Here is the list of nominees and what their peers said about them.
Carisse Berryhill: MA in Church History, 2001
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- Prominent Church of Christ historian
- Adjunct for University of Illinois
- Nationally recognized in theological libraries
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Garrett Best: MDiv, 2014
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- Lewis Scholar
- Mission work in Spanish speaking countries
- Committed to local ministry and Christendom
- Advocate for Gospel story as church mission
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Mark Finn: MTh, 1986
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- Longest tenured minister in his congregation’s history
- Active with area ministers and congregations
- Intentional and strategic
- Faithful and pragmatic
- Strong and humble
- Above reproach
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Stan Granberg: MTh, 1983
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- Church planter in two countries (U.S./Kenya)
- Teacher of church planters through Kairos
- Helps dying churches repurpose their ministries
- Outstanding disciple maker
- Self-sacrificing of career potential
- Strong prayer life
- Humble service
- Posture of mission
- Loyalty to roots
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Evertt W. Huffard: MA, 1973; MTh 1976
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- Lifelong focus on the church in mission
- Consultant to churches around the globe
- Spiritual and academic expert in global missions
- Presents truth in wise, practical, godly ways
- Godly influence to countless Christians
- Known and respected throughout the world
- Tireless support of HST for over 40 years
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Bruce McLarty: MTh, 1982
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- Served abroad on the mission field
- Served local churches
- Spiritual and administrative positions with Harding
- Impactful on countless student lives
- Chose “Community In Mission” as Harding theme
- Practices what he preaches
- Strong supporter of the work of HST
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Yoshiya Noguchi: MA, 1994
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- Chaplain for Ibaraki University, Japan
- Teaches introduction to Christianity
- Makes Christ real to students through puppetry
- Minister for the largest Church of Christ in Japan
- Teams with wife, Emiko, also HST grad
- (The nominator recommended the award be given to them as a couple)
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Steve Puckett: MTh, 1981
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- 36 years with a Florida “mission” church
- Serves through preaching, teaching, and loving
- Serves steering committee for EQUIP Workshop
- Regular presenter at Harbor
- Technology assistant at local high school
- Florida church has grown in numbers/diversity
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William Searcy: MTh, 1982; DMin, 1986
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- Elder/preacher in Rocky Mount, NC, church
- Passionate in evangelism and mission work
- Personal experience with Christian persecution
- 18 years in Kenya as church planter
- 8 years in Soviet Bloc and China underground
- 5 years in Belize/Central America in medical missions
- Visiting professor of missions at Harding University
- Private practice in counseling
- Chaplain privileges
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Steve Teel: MA, 1977; MTh, 1980; DMin, 2000
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- Missionary to Argentina through 3 church plants
- Minister to 3 congregations in the U.S.
- President of Baxter Institute, Honduras
- Leader/coordinator in local medical missions
- Played vital role in World Radio for 20 years
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Harding School of Theology