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Each year, Princeton Theological Seminary honors exceptional graduates with two prestigious awards to those whose lives and careers reflect the rich history, mission, and values at the core of Princeton Theological Seminary.
The Alumni Service Award recognizes an alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated excellence in their field and/or positively impacted others through their service. Princeton Theological Seminary graduates within 15 years from their graduation.
Honors alumni whose work and ministry in the church, the academy, or public arena reflects the Seminary’s mission and has made a significant impact in the world. Alumni considered for this award are normally 25+ years beyond their graduation.
The period to submit a nomination for the 2026 awards has closed. The 2026 awardees will be celebrated and honored at Reunion, May 11-13, 2026.
Nominations for 2027 will open late spring 2026.
Reaves (MDiv 2013), an award-winning producer, curator, and digital theologian, will receive the Alumni Council Service Award at the alumni awards luncheon during Reunion 2025.
The award honors his groundbreaking work at the intersection of Black culture, faith, and media. For Reaves, his calling has always been about creating with purpose—capturing sacred stories and curating cultural moments.
As curator of religion at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, he has led innovative projects like the gOD-Talk series, Black Religion in the Age of COVID-19, and the Black Religious Pluralism Project—documenting how Black communities reimagine and live out their faith.
“Rooted in my commitment to the Black community,” Reaves says, “my work has always been about preserving culture and inviting new conversations.”
Raffety (MDiv 2008), a scholar, ethnographer, and ordained pastor, will receive the Alumni Council Service Award during Reunion 2025.
The award recognizes her deep commitment to the Church and academy—advancing justice through disability advocacy, pastoral care, and theological research. For Raffety, the call to ministry and scholarship has always been a both/and.
She currently serves as research fellow in machine intelligence and pastoral care at the Center of Theological Inquiry, where she explores how emerging technologies can foster spiritual connection for people with disabilities. Her forthcoming book, From Inclusion to Justice, argues for disabled leadership as vital to the Church’s future.
“I didn’t want to choose between serving the Church and serving the academy,” she said. “Victor Aloyo and Kenda Dean showed me that I didn’t have to.”
Grounds (PhD 1995), a scholar, advocate, and Yuchi language revitalization leader, will receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award at the alumni awards luncheon during Reunion 2025.
The award honors his decades-long commitment to preserving Indigenous languages and cultures through scholarship, activism, and community leadership. Since earning his Ph.D. in the History of Religions from Princeton Seminary, Grounds has devoted his career to creating new Yuchi speakers and promoting global Indigenous language rights.
He has represented these issues at institutions around the world—from the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to the World Council of Churches and the Smithsonian. As chair of the Global Indigenous Languages Caucus, he has been a leading voice for the U.N.’s International Year and upcoming Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Grounds sees this work as sacred. “Language is not just communication,” he has said. “It’s ceremony. It’s memory. It’s life.”
Contact the Office of Alumni Relations for assistance or additional information.
