By: Mikayla Langon

Josie Nicholson and Paige Jackson received the The Authentic Faith in Leadership Award at the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Award Ceremony, April 12.

Every year, the Authentic Faith in Leadership Award is awarded to two students who exemplify their commitment to developing their leadership skills and heeding God’s calling on their lives to serve others. The award is sponsored by Jeremy Fyke Leader Development and co-sponsored by Brandon Murphy, a respected Christian financial advisor in Portland, TN.

The Authentic Faith in Leadership Award gives $550 to each recipient as a celebration of achievement and commitment to the two core values of JFLD: authentic development and faith in action. The hope is that the recipient uses $500 for expenses related to school or his/her own leader development (e.g., personal enrichment books, online short courses/masterclasses). The additional $50 is designed for the student to be able to offer it as a tithe to a cause of his/her choice.

This year, Belmont had more than 10 highly exceptional candidates for the award. “We just have so many talented students! Josie and Paige stood out not only because of their high academic achievements (both 4.0 GPAs) but because of their mix of experiences,” Fyke said. “In short, Josie and Paige are authentic, hard-working leaders with big hearts for serving God and others–the essence of what this award is about!”

Josie Nicholson is a Corporate Communication major and a Psychology minor who will graduate in May. Nicholson has an array of for-profit and nonprofit experiences. Additionally, she has interned with multiple different faith-based nonprofits and participated in community service projects. “It’s a blessing and honor to be a part of an academic community like Belmont where professors want you to develop and grow outside of the classroom as a faithful believer and person of character…it means a lot to know my professors care not only about my academic success in the classroom but also who I am as a person, the things I’m passionate about and the work I feel called to,” commented Jackson.

Paige Jackson is a Christian Leadership major with minors in Communication Studies and Emerging Media. She will also graduate in May. Jackson works with Reformed University Fellowship and has experience with various faith-based nonprofits and social enterprises.  “It was great to just be my authentic self in a paper and have people celebrate that both verbally and financially. I’m really grateful,” Jackson noted.

Congratulations Josie and Paige!