GPRS Alumni

Alumni of the Graduate Program in Religious Studies work in a variety of fields and institutions around the world. Here are just some of their recent accomplishments.

Alumni Spotlight

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A word from Dr. Bryan Stone, Leighton K. Farrell Endowed Dean of Perkins School of Theology

Welcome to the Graduate Program in Religious Studies (GPRS), a unique community of scholars within 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMethodist University, led by a renowned faculty from the Department of Religious Studies in Dedman College and the Perkins School of Theology. I am especially joyful to welcome you since I am a graduate of the GPRS (’92)! Much has changed in theological and religious studies during that time and much has changed in the world. But one thing remains constant—this is a community that digs deep into the history, ethics, sacred texts, practices, and meaning-systems of the world’s religious traditions while thinking critically about their meaning and truth in our world today. The GPRS is devoted to the rigorous and interdisciplinary study of religions and their embeddedness in and relationship to cultures, old and new.

Dr. Fredrick Aquino reflects on historic visit to the Vatican

On Nov. 1, 2025, Frederick Aquino, Professor of Systematic Theology at Perkins School of Theology and 2000 Ph.D. graduate of 51³Ô¹ÏÍøMethodist University’s Religious Studies program, sat during a Mass in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican as Pope Leo XIV formally declared Saint John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church. Read the full blog post here. 

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Placement

GPRS graduates work in numerous fields including academics, corporate and non-profit leadership, faith community leadership, and more. Here are placements for some of the program's graduates.

  • Dr. Justin Barringer, Teaching with Abilene Christian University (online) Full time teaching with High School Special Education (May of 2021)
  • Dr. Abigail Woolley Cutter, Assistant Professor of Theology, King University (May of 2021)
  • Dr. Fellipe do Vale, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Biblical and Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Trinity College (May of 2021)
  • Dr. William Glass, Founder of Side Street Studio and Lift Dental Marketing (May of 2021)
  • Dr. J. David Moser, Assistant Professor, Augustine Institute (May of 2021)
  • Dr. April Simpson, Assistant Professor, Georgetown College (May of 2021)
  • Dr. Andrew Hamilton, Assistant Director with 51³Ô¹ÏÍøIntersessions (Aug of 2021)
  • Dr. Andrew Mercer, Director of Faith Formation, St. Columbia Catholic Center ((Dec. of 2021)
  • Dr. Marie Purcell, Professor of Practice, Religious Studies Department, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø(May of 2022)
  • Dr. Brian Clark, Associate Pastor, Nexus (May of 2023)
  • Dr. Lane Davis, Assistant Professor, Christian Theological Seminary (May of 2023)
  • Dr. Kelsey Spinnato, Assistant Professor of Theology, Texas Lutheran College (May of 2023)
  • Dr. Tyler Womack, Adjunct Instructor, Point Loma Nazarene University (May of 2023)
  • Dr. Matthew Esquivel, Adjunct Lecturer, Perkins School of Theology, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø(May of 2024)
  • Dr. Daniel Sebastian, Assistant Professor, Evangel College (May of 2024)
  • Dr. Meghan Beddingfield, Researcher, Campbell University (May of 2025)
  • Dr. Chance Juliano, Chair and Teacher, Incarnate Word High School (Aug of 2025)
  • Dr. Mark Grafenreed, Associate Pastor, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church (Dec of 2025)
  • Dr. José Santana, Academic Marketing Manager, West Minster John Knox Press (Dec of 2025) 

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Stay Connected:

GPRS Alumni, we'd like to hear from you. Contact us at: gradreli@smu.edu with news and updates so we can celebrate and feature your accomplishments.