This year we are proud to bestow this award on Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, who graduated in 1942 with a bachelors of divinity. Sadly, Rev. Dr. Freeman passed away earlier this year, just shy of his 101st birthday. When Thomas Freeman entered Andover Newton in 1939, Andover and Newton had only begun to share a campus and mission. Although “Andover Newton Theological School” did not exist as a merged entity until two decades after he graduated, Freeman’s life and ministry were an exemplar of unity and the power of partnership.

 

During all three years of his studies at Andover Newton, Freeman received the Chip Scholarship in recognition of the “Highest Academic Honors” in his class. Though Freeman studied theology and ministry while a student at Andover Newton, his preaching started long before he arrived on campus, having offered his first sermon at the age of nine. 

 

A half-century after his graduation, Freeman returned to the school – by then the Reverend Doctor Thomas Freeman – and preached a sermon titled “The Black Church: God’s Gift to Us” in 1992 during Black History Month.

 

In the years leading up to that service in February of 1992, and in the years since, Rev. Dr. Freeman became an internationally recognized pastor, professor, public speaker, author, and debate coach. His students have included Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and U.S. Representative Barbara Jordan of Texas. When Denzel Washington was getting ready to direct “The Great Debaters” – a movie that would go on to be nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in 2007 – he asked Freeman to coach the cast on debate method and oratory. For this, and so much more, we are proud to announce Rev. Dr. Thomas Freeman as the recipient of this years, Spirit of the Hill Award. In lieu of a gift, Andover Newton created The Thomas F. Freeman Scholarship. 

 

Additionaly, watch a video of Rev. Dr. Freeman’s daughter, Dr. Carlotta Freeman, receiving the award on his behalf. This video also includes a word from Board Chair Linda Campanella, who explains why the board decided to create a scholarship and matching fund challenge, as well as a powerful testimony from 2nd year MDiv student, Jyrekis Collins, about the transformational nature of scholarships.