INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — June 22, 2004 — LifeWay Christian Resources President James T. Draper was honored as the first recipient of the Union University M. E. Dodd Denominational Service Award in a special presentation by the university during the Southern Baptist Convention meeting this year in Indianapolis. Union President David S. Dockery presented the award that was established last December by Union’s board of trustees.
“When we think of statesmen among us, Dr. Draper’s name rises to the top,” said Dockery. “As president of LifeWay for the past decade, he has exemplified the spirit of the Cooperative Program for our entire convention, in the same way he did in his days as pastor and local church leader.”
The Union University M. E. Dodd Denominational Service Award was established to recognize service and leadership in behalf of Tennessee Baptists and Southern Baptists and is awarded annually by vote of Union’s board of trustees. The award is named in honor of M. E. Dodd, who served as president of the SBC, president of the SBC pastors conference and shaped today’s Cooperative Program.
“This is a very humbling, very special privilege,” Draper said, addressing the university’s gathering of alumni and friends after receiving the award. “We appreciate and believe in Union University and the tremendous recognition this great university has all over the country.”