SCIO announces prize winners of the Scholars’ Semester in Oxford spring term 2014

SCIO is delighted to announce the Scholars’ Semester in Oxford de Jager prize winners for spring 2014. The de Jager prizes are funded by a generous donation to SCIO from Geoffrey and Caroline de Jager who have a long standing commitment to encouraging excellence in education and scholarship.

Top row from left: Alexandra Burris, Carolyn Miller, Jacob McAuliffe, Caleb Nagel Bottom row from left: Priscilla DeFini, Joshua Miller, John Hanke, Christopher Scott, Richard Kovac

Top row from left: Alexandra Burris, Carolyn Miller, Jacob McAuliffe, Caleb Nagel
Bottom row from left: Priscilla DeFini, Joshua Miller, John Hanke, Christopher Scott, Richard Kovac

These students showed exceptional academic performance in the following aspects of the programme

British studies Seminar
Alexandra Burris Messiah College Joshua Miller Trinity International University
Priscilla DeFini Asbury University Carolyn Miller University of Northwestern–St Paul
Richard Kovac Wheaton College Christopher Scott Bethel College
Jacob McAuliffe Eastern Nazarene College
Caleb Nagel Taylor University

 

Some of the students reflect on their time in Oxford below

This past semester at Oxford was, by God’s grace, a time of academic and personal growth. As one of the SCIO staff said, ‘You and your professors are on the same path of learning; they’re just further down it and are here to help you as you explore questions together’. One cannot only speak of the academics alone, though, for the program would not be what it was without the people that were part of it. Being surrounded by professors and fellow Christian students who take faith, learning, and even fun seriously, making me laugh while also inspiring me to wrestle with different life questions, has made this experience a true gift.

Richard Kovac

 

My time at Oxford is the highlight of my academic career thus far and an experience I will always cherish. The opportunity to study at a world-renowned institution in the wake of countless great minds of the past and present was intellectually challenging, yet enriching. My studies there helped focus my academic interests, setting me on a course to pursue graduate studies in theology. Moreover, living in such a beautiful, time-honored town brimming with history and culture was transformative for me in my development as a person, informing how I think about the world, other people, and my faith. Most importantly,  I now fully appreciate the value of afternoon tea (with scones).

Joshua Miller

 

My time at Oxford was chock-full of some of the most intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking conversations of my life. The experience of being able to walk downstairs and immediately dive into a high-level discussion about philosophy, theology, art, literature or psychology was absolutely intoxicating, as was the access to world-class professors and experts on all the subjects I love most. More than anything else, SCIO taught me the sheer joy and exhilaration that an academic life can entail.

John Hanke

 

From the impressive academic resources to the unforgettable conversations with tutors and peers, Oxford was easily the best academic experience of my life. Because of Oxford’s tutorial system, I further learned how to research well, interpret authors charitably, and deftly defend my positions on perennial philosophical questions. Consequently, I am confident that, with ample study and God’s grace, I can contribute to my discipline. Oxford, I wager, will continue to be a formative landmark along my academic journey!

Christopher Scott

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