Stanford Award Winners

Maggie found out that she’d won when Director of Campus Ministries and External Relations Jamie Williams called her. Maggie’s father, the Rev. James McManus, pastor of Bethel Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Winnsboro, nominated her for the award.

“The Lord has truly blessed her with a faith that she is open about and shares with others,” McManus wrote in his nomination. “Maggie sets this example for her siblings…there are many times I’ve heard her encourage her sister and brother and pray with them.”

She is dedicated to strengthening her faith. “Each morning, as soon as Maggie wakes up, she has her daily devotions, which include Bible reading, note-taking, and prayer,” McManus wrote.

Maggie has also served at Camp Joy, a special needs camp with locations in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

“I’ve been really involved with special needs camps since I was a freshman,” she says. “I’ve been to three of the four locations they have. I do multiple weeks during the summer.”

Prior to receiving notice of the Stanford Award, Maggie had already committed to coming to Erskine, “but this definitely helped the final decision,” she says. At Erskine, she plans to major in business and is looking forward to beginning her Erskine experience.

“I’m very excited to learn things from a Christian worldview,” says Maggie. She’s also signed up and committed to the cheerleading team at Erskine and hopes to get involved with campus ministries.

Read a full article about the 2026 Stanford Award winners.

Harrison attends First Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Columbia, South Carolina, and for the past several summers, he has worked at Bonclarken Conference Center in Flat Rock, N.C. He will be working there again this year and was nominated for the award by a supervisor at the camp, Norman “Trip” McGill ’82.

Harrison’s father, the Rev. Bryan Bult ’95 ’03 (Sem.), attended Erskine as an undergraduate and returned to Erskine Theological Seminary to earn his Master of Divinity degree. He is the Associate Minister to Seniors at First Presbyterian.

At Bonclarken, Harrison alternated between serving as a camp counselor and assisting with maintenance and other needs at the conference center. Like Maggie, he’s also been active with Camp Joy.

“I’ve been in the ARP most of my life, and I try to participate in as many things as I can,” Harrison says. “That’s kind of led me to do ministry. I try to do things in my church and in the ARP that will give me opportunities to get a feel for ministry.”

In his nomination, McGill was effusive in his praise of Harrison. “I highly recommend Harrison Bult to you for consideration for this award. He is one of our finest counselors and staff members,” McGill wrote. “He has proven to be trustworthy and committed. He will be a wonderful addition to the Erskine campus.”

At Erskine, Harrison plans to major in Bible & Theology and is excited about both the college’s faith-based mission and small size.

“I’m really excited to have that kind of guidance and teaching in specifically learning about the Bible,” Harrison says. “I’m excited about the community as well.” He plans to become active in campus ministry and hopes to join the Choraleers.

Read a full article about the 2025 Stanford Award winners.

Gavin Cerilli, class of 2029, graduated from Stuart W. Cramer High School in Belmont, N.C. Gavin was nominated by the Rev. Josh Hjemvick of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) Church, Gastonia, N.C., who served as his youth pastor. Sensing a call to pastoral ministry, Gavin engages in personal study of scripture and has led Bible studies at his school and in his church. Hjemvick said Gavin has served as a leader for elementary students at Camp Bonclarken as well as for middle school students at First ARP.

Hjemvick said, “God has grown in Gavin over his high school years a deep love for His word, a desire to serve the church, and God has placed in Gavin’s heart a burden for gospel ministry…Gavin’s faith and life in Christ is impacting our middle school students as he challenges them to live out their faith in radical obedience.”

Read a full article about the 2025 Stanford Award winners.

Kinley Hooker, class of 2029, graduated from Wren High School in Piedmont, S.C. As a high school student she volunteered at 5 Points Church leading worship, teaching children, and serving in the youth group. She has also been involved in leadership with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Michelle Clary, executive director of ministries at 5 Points Church, who nominated Kinley, said, “Kinley shows Jesus in all she does. She goes above and beyond anything that is asked…She has a joy that exceeds most adults.”

Kinley was also nominated by Jeri Carter, a coach for whom Kinley played middle school basketball. He said, “Kinley’s love for the Lord has impacted me by her faithful service in our Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle. She has served consistently as a student leader. Even in difficult times, she has remained steadfast. She is very kind and dependable and her testimony for Christ is evident through her actions.”

Read a full article about the 2025 Stanford Award winners.

Anna Grace Sturkie, pictured with Erskine staff member Dr. Jamie Williams

Anna Grace Sturkie, class of 2028, is Erskine’s first Stanford Award winner. As a high schooler, Anna Grace volunteered at Bethany World Outreach Center in Honea Path, South Carolina, serving as a teacher in the children’s department, a member of the praise team, and a member of the greeting committee. She has also been involved with TeenPact and Widows’ Watchman Ministries.

Tony Davis, a member of Bethany World Outreach Center and the one who nominated Anna Grace, said, “Anna Grace’s creativity and enthusiasm for sharing the love of Christ with the next generation is a constant source of encouragement to me.”

Click to read a full article about Anna Grace.