(April 19, 2012)

Junior Austin Rinehart awarded undergraduate fellowship

SHREVEPORT, LA — Centenary junior Austin Rinehart has been awarded the Fund for Theological Education Undergraduate Fellowship, which is a stipend to apply toward education-related expenses and/or an experience of exploring ministry. Rinehart was one of only 40 fellows selected for the 2012-13 fellowship year.

"I am truly blessed and honored to be chosen to receive this fellowship," said Rinehart, a Sterlington, LA, native. "The resources and connections this fellowship will provide will be extremely valuable to me as a person, disciple, and student, who will be engaged academically and spiritually to address the 21st century issues facing our world and the Church."

Students chosen for the fellowship have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and possess a commitment to the church, capacity to work in leadership, and an ability to connect personal faith to larger concerns in church and society. Reverend Valerie Robideaux, Director of Professional Discernment, nominated Rinehart for the fellowship.

"Austin is the kind of student that both Centenary and the Fund for Theological Education value," said Robideaux. "He came to the College as a natural leader but has transformed into an informed and intentional leader. Driven by his desire for excellence and influence, Austin has met the challenge of his college career and has engaged Centenary's Christian Leadership Center with passionate vision and responsibility."

Besides receiving the stipend, Rinehart will attend the Fund for Theological Education Leaders in Ministry Conference, June 19-23, with all expenses paid.

"I am so excited to spend time with people like myself who are actively pursuing God's call to ministry and who are engaged in conversations that will impact the world around us," said Rinehart. "I hope and anticipate these conversations continue throughout my remaining years at Centenary and those years beyond this wonderful place I call home."

In the future, Rinehart plans to attend graduate school and pursue a Master of Divinity at a United Methodist seminary.