The Marcus Bach Fellowship is awarded to graduate students in the humanities to support the completion of an MFA project or doctoral dissertation. Martinez’s dissertation, “Creating Sanctuary: Religion and Immigration Control in the 21st Century,” traces the shift in relationship between federal immigration agencies and religious people and institutions.

African American Studies awards their Cultural Research Award to graduate students near completion of their dissertation for outstanding contributions, commitment and initiative related to research in African American culture.

Allison Isidore was named among The University of Iowa Council on Teaching's 2025 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award recipients.

Kefas uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine the customs and legacies of colonialists, missionaries, and Indigenous peoples in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria from 1860 to 1960.

Reveals religious legacies in Africa.

Kristy Nabhan-Warren, professor in the Department of Religious Studies, hopes the Lilly Endowment mentor role with the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture will allow her to continue to inspire the next generation of scholars.

Kayla Renée Wheeler, alumna of our PhD program, has been awarded membership in the prestigious Young Scholars in American Religion program.

Davis is being awarded Wheaton College's 2024 Alumnus of the Year for Distinguished Service to Society.

Tucker Gregor, PhD student in the Department of Religious Studies, will assist with editing the Journal of Religious Ethics (JRE), an international scholarly journal co-edited by professor Diana Fritz Cates.

This article recognizes our 2024 student award winners.