The winners of Hastings College’s ninth-annual Student Sermon Contest have been announced. Cindy Eschliman, Hutchinson, Kan., will preach her winning sermon “Thy Will be Done” at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 28 in French Memorial Chapel. The second and third-place winners will serve as liturgists during the service. This event is free and open to the public.

Applicants were asked to write a sermon based on Matthew 9:35-38 that would be suitable for one of the last sermons of the academic year and mindful of students’ goals and concerns for the summer and graduation. The sermons were judged on their faithfulness to the biblical text and its historical context, their suitability for the occasion, their clarity of thought and their style. Winners of the contest receive cash prizes; $300 for first-place, $200 for second, and $100 for third.

2010 Student Sermon Contest winners are listed below with the title of their winning sermon and followed by their hometown.

First Place – “Thy Will be Done,” Cindy Eschliman, Hutchinson, Kan.
Second Place – “The Harvest is Ready,” Ignatius Ewool, Accra-North, Ghana (West Africa)
Third Place – “Doing the Work of God,” Ross Whiston, Lincoln, Neb.
Honorable Mention – “The New Gentile,” Stacey Boyce, Pueblo West, Colo.

The Student Sermon Contest is planned in conjunction with the College’s annual Academic Showcase Day, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, when students will showcase their original research and academic achievements for the HC community at four locations on campus, including Wilson Auditorium, Hazelrigg Student Union Room C, Fuhr Hall Band Room and Perkins Auditorium. Visit www.hastings.edu/as for a full list of Academic Showcase events and presentations.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to more than 1,150 students. Hastings College was named 75th Best Value College in the nation and #1 in Nebraska by Forbes.com and the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. It was named a 2010 “Best in the Midwest” by The Princeton Review and rated a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s. Visit www.hastings.edu for more information.