Dr. James J.H. Price, professor of religious studies at Lynchburg College, is the recipient of the 2006 T.A. Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence given by the Board of Directors of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

This is the most prestigious recognition given by the church to members of faculties of the 14 colleges and universities affiliated with the church.

Dr. Price, who joined Lynchburg College in 1965, was recognized for inspiring students toward excellence, belief in educating the whole person, continued scholarly growth, and personal faith.

In his letter of nomination, Dr. Vernon Miles, dean of Lynchburg College, said, "Dr. Price demonstrates character and conviction in his ability to interact with all individuals, treating them as worthy of attention and equality. His actions infer that he truly believes that each individual contributes to the greater good of society and that each individual truly is a special gift. Dr. Price, through his teaching and personal example, inspires not only students, but also other faculty and administrators to teach, learn, and contribute to the campus community and to the community as a whole. He approaches the classroom with a formidable knowledge of his subject, with a very dry sense of humor, and with genuine concern for his students."

Dr. Price regularly does research in major theological libraries in the Washington, D.C. area and Richmond for articles on New Testament texts for the International Sunday School lessons and for the Presbyterian Women Bible Studies for The Presbyterian Outlook, a nationally circulated independent magazine. Both lay persons and ministers in Presbyterian churches and also in Methodist and Disciple churches have used these studies.

Dr. Price has also written New Testament exegetical studies for Lectionary Homiletics, a journal that assists ministers to interpret the biblical texts for preaching on the lectionary readings in the church. Last year, two of his articles specifically addressed the betterment of man. "Overcoming Uncertainty" used the Gospel of John and "Jesus Defines True Greatness" used the Gospel of Mark to provide historical and current perspectives on becoming a better person.

From 1995 to 1999, Dr. Price was the John Franklin East Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at LC.

The T.A. Abbott Award, presented now for the 23rd consecutive year, was established through a gift to HELM from the descendants of the Reverend T. A. Abbott, a student and later a trustee at Christian University (now Culver-Stockton College). In the 1880's and early 1890's, Abbott pastored local congregations in Missouri, and from 1886 to 1910, he was the corresponding secretary of the Missouri Christian Missionary Society. He died in 1914.

Nominees for the T.A. Abbott Award must be full-time teaching faculty at Disciples-related institutions of higher education. Criteria for selection include quality of teaching, personal example, and commitment to the integration of Christian faith and learning.

Price is the sixth Lynchburg College faculty member to receive the award. Previous recipients are John R. Scudder, Jr. (1986), G. Kenneth West (1989), Phillip H. Stump (1996), Michael W. Santos (2000), and Elza Tiner (2005).