SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – Evangel University honored two professors for excellence in service to students and the university on Thursday, May 4 during the 65th annual commencement ceremony. Dr. Gary Martindale was honored with the annual Clark Award, and Dr. Meghan Musy was honored with the Mills Young Faculty Award. Both Martindale and Musy are faculty members in Evangel’s Theology and Global Church Ministries Department.
Clark Award
Dr. Gary Martindale, professor of biblical studies, was awarded Evangel’s highest honor for academic excellence — the E.M. & Estella Clark Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service.
The award was established in 1991 by Dan and Elaine Johnson, in recognition of Elaine’s parents’ work on behalf of higher education in the Assemblies of God, as well as the Johnson’s special affection for EU. Students, faculty, and staff submit nominations, and a committee makes the final decision.
Martindale joined the Evangel faculty in the fall of 1999 with a keen interest in teaching Scripture and mentoring students. Students know Martindale as an engaging and inspiring educator.
“I am deeply grateful to receive the E. M. and Estella Clark award and blessed beyond words to serve Jesus as part of the EU family,” said Martindale.
With a long history of ministry to university students in both public and Christian settings, Martindale challenges students to understand the Bible and live its truths. He has encouraged a number of students to broaden their horizons and seek opportunities for service overseas. Martindale regularly interacts with global workers and former students who serve the Church in a variety of contexts.
“Dr. Martindale’s efforts have ‘changed the map’ through his investment in students,” said a missionary leader, whose identity has been concealed to protect his work in sensitive countries.
Martindale’s teaching interests include Genesis, the Gospel of Mark, biblical languages, and spiritual formation. His current research project investigates ways to communicate the Gospel effectively to those from a Buddhist worldview.
Before joining the Evangel faculty, Martindale served in pastoral ministry for 12 years and led efforts to establish campus ministries on public university campuses for eight years. He has been an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God since 1978.
Martindale holds a Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministry from Southwestern Assemblies of God University; a Bachelor of Arts in Greek from the University of Texas; a Master of Arts in Biblical Theology from St. Mary’s University; and a Ph.D. in Religion with an emphasis in Biblical Studies from Baylor University. He has presented papers and lectures at national and regional meetings, including, “Affective Friends in the Book of Job” and “Vengeance, The Tie That Binds: An Intratextual Reading of Psalm 149.”
Martindale and his wife, Susan, met in the ninth grade. They love traveling, thrifting, and romantic breakfasts.
Mills Award
Dr. Meghan Musy, associate professor of Old Testament in the Theology and Global Church Ministries Department, was awarded the Orville & Jewel Mills Young Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service.
The award was established in 2006 by Orville and Jewel Mills to recognize the academic work of outstanding young professors. Orville Mills is a retired comptroller of Exxon-Mobil and serves EU as a trustee emeritus. The couple’s three daughters are graduates of Evangel.
“I’m deeply moved to be receiving this award,” said Musy. “I wanted to be a theology professor since I was a freshman in high school, and I love teaching and pouring into my students.”
After graduating summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Evangel University in 2009, Musy earned a Master of Arts in Religious Studies at Missouri State University in 2012. She completed a Ph.D. in Christian Theology with an emphasis on Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College, and was awarded the Principal’s Medal upon graduation.
After serving as an assistant professor of Old Testament at Southeastern University, Musy returned to Evangel in 2019.
“I love Evangel,” said Musy. “This campus is where I launched into adulthood, and I’m thankful for the foundation Evangel laid for my career and ministry. It is a privilege to now be teaching at Evangel and working alongside some of my own professors and mentors.”
Musy’s most recent research interests include Psalms, Hebrew lyric poetry, and biblical ethics. She co-edited “Community: Biblical and Theological Reflections in Honor of August H. Konkel” (2022) and authored the essay “A Marriage of Law and Love: An Exploration of a Dialogue between Ruth and Paul” (2019) and the journal article “Recitals of the Acts of God: Israelite and American Pentecostal Testimonies” (2010).
Musy serves as the Biblical Studies Interest Group Leader for the Society for Pentecostal Studies. She is an active member of a number of academic guilds, presenting and participating at their annual meetings. She also serves as the Girls Ministries Director of the Potomac Ministry Network and enjoys serving at her local church in Springfield.
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Evangel University, with its embedded Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS), is a comprehensive Spirit-led Christian university located in Springfield, Missouri. It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Under the leadership of Dr. Mike Rakes, EU is committed to excellence in educating and equipping students to serve the Church and society globally and becoming compassionate innovators in their chosen vocations. EU offers more than 70 degree programs, including cutting-edge majors, pre-professional programs, and affordable and flexible online degree options.
EU is highly regarded and has been ranked:
- US News & World Report Best Colleges Top Performer in Social Mobility
- Colleges of Distinction Best Christian University
- Top 10 Best Universities by AcademicInfluence.com
- Third Most Beautiful Campus in the Midwest by Christian Colleges & Universities
- Top 10 Best Colleges in Missouri by BestColleges.com
With additional accreditations in business, counseling, music, social work, and theology and certification as an Excellence in Giving university, EU is focused on providing students with hands-on experience and real-world training for today’s professional careers. Learn more about the university at evangel.edu.