Posted by Mary Wimberley on 2007-01-31

Anthony "Tony" Chute was named 2007 Alumnus of the Year by Samford University's Beeson Divinity School Tuesday (JAN. 30).

Dr. Chute, who received a Master of Divinity degree from Beeson in 1997, is assistant professor of church history at California Baptist University, Riverside, Calif.

He received the award from Beeson professor Dr. Jerry Batson during Beeson's first chapel program of the spring semester.

Chute was cited for his "embodiment of the high ideals of Beeson Divinity School."

"God has gifted Dr. Chute with a scholar's mind, but God has also woven into him a pastor's heart," Batson said of Chute, who serves as pastor of preaching at First Baptist Church, Moreno Valley, in addition to his teaching duties.

He also directs the formation, acquisitions and operations of the California Baptist Historical Records and Depository located at the University.

Chute earned a Ph.D. in church history/historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 2002. A member of the CBU faculty since 2003, he is the author of A Piety Above the Common Standard: Jesse Mercer and the Defense of Evangelistic Calvinism, and several other books.

While a Beeson student, he worked two summers with the divinity school's Pastors School, serving as both assistant director and director.

Chute's most recent recognition is not his first Beeson honor. In 1996, he received the pastoral ministry award given by the Beeson faculty to a student who "successfully combines the study of pastoral theology with the practice of Christian ministry."

He and his wife, Connie, who was on hand to witness the alumnus award presentation, have two children.

Beeson Divinity School, founded in 1988, has more than 700 graduates serving throughout the world.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.