BUIES CREEK — Glenn Jonas, the Charles B. Howard Professor of Religion and chair of the Department of Religion at Campbell University, received the 2013 Carolyn Blevins Meritorious Service Award from the Baptist History & Heritage Society.
The award is presented each year to a member of the BHHS who has contributed to the life and work of the society. It’s named for Carolyn Blevins, a Baptist historian who taught at Carson-Newman College for 30 years before retiring as associate professor of religion emerita.
“I have known Carolyn Blevins for a long time and to receive an award named for her was indeed gratifying,” said Jonas, who was presented the award during the BHHS’s 2013 annual conference held May 20-22 in Richmond, Va.
Jonas has been a member of the BHHS for about 20 years. During that time, he has missed only two BHHS meetings as he has served on numerous BHHS committees and as president of the society from 2003-05. He has also been a member of the BHHS’s editorial board, which oversees the journal “Baptist History & Heritage.” He was the journal’s book review editor for five years, and the journal has published several of his articles, including one that was recognized with the BHHS’s Norman W. Cox Award for best article published in 2003.
“Dr. Glenn Jonas has long been an outstanding and exemplary member of the Baptist History & Heritage Society,” said Bruce Gourley, executive director of the BHHS. “His service to the society is and has been extraordinary, and he is well-deserving of the Carolyn Blevin Meritorious Service Award.”
Jonas earned a Bachelor of Arts from Mars Hill College, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in church history from Baylor University. After teaching at Baylor and Temple Junior College, Jonas joined Campbell in 1994. His research focuses on church history, with a particular emphasis in Baptist history.
He has also pastored churches in North Carolina and Texas and frequently preaches and teaches in local Baptist churches, as well as on college campuses and at retreats.