Thirty South Carolina Baptists were awarded seminary degrees during May commencements.
Eight South Carolinians were among 244 graduates who received degrees at Southern Seminary’s 203rd commencement on May 15 in Louisville, Ky.
Travis KernsTravis S. Kerns, of Taylors, received a doctor of philosophy degree from the seminary’s Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Church Growth. Kerns, who previously earned his master of divinity degree at Southern, is a professor of Christian worldview and apologetics at the seminary. He also is founder and director of the Center for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at the seminary’s Boyce College.
The following South Carolinians earned master’s degrees: Mark T. Abbot, of Aiken, master of church music; Kevin D. Duncan, of Greenville, master of arts in Christian education; Charles E. Goad, of Greer, master of divinity; Lee M. Myers, of Columbia, master of church music; Kenneth O. Rape, of Pageland, master of arts in Christian education; and Charlie W. Swain, of North Augusta, master of divinity.
Daniel W. Crowther, of Anderson, received a bachelor of science in counseling from Boyce College.
Four students from South Carolina graduated from Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth on May 8, including: David Blanton, of Columbia, master of Christian education; Rachel E. Stephens, of Moncks Corner, master of arts in marriage and family counseling; Michael Knight, of Liberty, doctor of philosophy; and Christopher S. Lee, Greenville, master of arts in music.
Degrees were conferred on 265 students at Southeastern Seminary’s commencement exercises, including 18 students from South Carolina.
The seminary’s College at Southeastern awarded the master of arts in intercultural studies to Samantha Erin Buffkin of Lamar and Mary Joanna Courtnay of St. Matthews.
Nathan T. Brown and Patricia B. Whaley graduated with a master of arts in Christian education; Andrew William Owens of Seneca graduated with a master of divinity with advanced biblical studies; graduating with a master of divinity with biblical counseling was Michael Eugene Hancock of Piedmont; Ryan Thomas Peduzzi of Greenwood graduated with a master of divinity with Christian education; and graduating with a master of divinity with Christian ministry were Mark L. Montgomery of North Augusta and Brian Earl Ogburn of Winnsboro.
Mary Joanna Courtney of St. Matthews and Lindsey Kaye Hunter of Mauldin graduated with a master of divinity with international church planting.
Graduating with a master of divinity with pastoral ministry were Leonard V. Knott Jr. of Rock Hill, Kevin Michael Lott of Reevesville and Steven Robert Owensby of Union.