WHAT IS THE LEGATUS CHRISTI AWARD?
An award has been established to recognize those students that have met the high standards established by Ratio Christi. Thus, a Legatus Christi Certificate (Latin for Ambassador of Christ) may be conferred on any student that has demonstrated the use of apologetics in evangelistic conversations and is willing and able to regularly teach other believers the skills they have learned.
2024
Harrison Kerns | University of Nebraska Lincoln | Spring 2024 | |
Madeline Fox | University of Missouri-Columbia | Spring 2024 | |
Caitlyn Beebe | Baylor University | Spring 2024 | Overcoming Fear |
Saul Winebrenner | Baylor University | Spring 2024 | |
Elijah Berscheid | Purdue University | Spring 2024 | |
Christopher Swedes | University of Cincinnati | Spring 2024 | God Desires Relationship |
Jacob Larkin | University of Utah | Spring 2024 | |
Scott Swanson | Florida State University | Spring 2024 | |
Austin Hendel | The Ohio State University | Spring 2024 | |
Ethan Powers | The Ohio State University | Spring 2024 | |
Alex Crumley | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2024 | |
Nate Goldstein | Louisiana Tech University | Spring 2024 | Convinced in College |
Amber Kelly | University of Houston-Clear Lake | Spring 2024 | |
Kuba Zeligowksi | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2024 | |
Samuel Hensley | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2024 | |
Kaitlyn Wallace | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2024 | |
Cason Scarce | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2024 | |
Tyler Glatt | North Carolina State University | Spring 2024 | |
Hayley Holton | Portland State University | Spring 2024 | |
Jonathan Wood | Houston Christian University | Spring 2024 | |
Timothy Smith | Houston Christian University | Spring 2024 | |
Christian Dubose | Houston Christian University | Spring 2024 | |
Nathaniel Bouwens | Colorado State University | Spring 2024 | |
Sydney Bouwens | Colorado State University | Spring 2024 | |
John Starinieri | Colorado State University | Spring 2024 | |
Harrison Kerns | University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Spring 2024 | |
Daniella Sanchez | Western Carolina University | Spring 2024 | |
Ethan McWhirter | Colorado State University | Spring 2024 | |
Deante Hunter | University of Michigan – Dearborn | Spring 2024 |
2023
Katelyn Ebert | University of Washington | Spring 2023 | Very Silly, Very Nerdy, and Full of Very Good Friends |
Duncan Schotanus | Crandall University | Spring 2023 | |
Cross Allen | Kansas State University | Spring 2023 | Gentleness and Respect |
Austin Stroud | North Carolina State University | Spring 2023 | |
Mallory Padgett | North Carolina State University | Spring 2023 | |
Parker Bowling | University of Tennessee | Spring 2023 | |
Dalton Brown | University of Tennessee | Spring 2023 | |
Ryland Seagraves | University of Tennessee | Spring 2023 | |
Katelyn Fossett | University of Tennessee | Spring 2023 | |
Joshua Hack | University of Arizona | Spring 2023 | |
Rachel Byrd | University of Houston | Spring 2023 | |
Garrett Wright | University of Kentucky | Spring 2023 | |
Treston Smith | Sam Houston State University | Spring 2023 | |
Savannah Warnement | Sam Houston State University | Spring 2023 | |
Catherine Caballero | Sam Houston State University | Spring 2023 | |
Rachel Kanady | University of Kentucky | Spring 2023 | |
Holly Fischer | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Spring 2023 | |
Brian Beach | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Spring 2023 | |
Hunter Pratt | Liberty University | Spring 2023 | In Pursuit of Christ and the Truth that Aligns with Him |
Spencer Brittingham | Purdue University | Spring 2023 | |
Hannah Kaluf | Purdue University | Spring 2023 | |
Caroline Kantoris | Kennesaw State University | Spring 2023 | For Such a Time as This |
Isaac Lindell | Purdue University | Spring 2023 | |
Jacob Johnson | UNCW | Spring 2023 | |
Lia Repucci | Ohio State University | Spring 2023 | |
Jamila Cross | Houston Christian University | Spring 2023 | |
Daylon Piper | Houston Christian University | Spring 2023 | |
Leul Tefera | Houston Christian University | Spring 2023 | |
Chase Bishop | Western Carolina University | Spring 2023 | |
Tyler Glatt | North Carolina State University | Spring 2023 | |
Riley Ranzau | Kansas State University | Fall 2023 | A Christian Concern |
2022
Nicholas Tedla | Purdue University, Indianapolis | Spring 2022 | |
Ben Pankratz | Kansas State University | Spring 2022 | |
Matthew Hawkins | Colorado State University | Spring 2022 | |
Alex Weber | The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Spring 2022 | |
Dawson Henry | Alaska Bible College | Spring 2022 | |
Ellen Maye | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2022 | |
D. Abigail Macaria | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2022 | |
Alicja Zeligowska | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2022 | |
John Sadik | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2022 | |
Jacob Jones | Boise State University | Spring 2022 | |
Matey Yanakiev | Rice University | Spring 2022 | |
Alex Dagit | Liberty University | Spring 2022 | |
Zach Thompson | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Spring 2022 | |
Rachel Mikkola | Liberty University | Spring 2022 | |
Katelynn Massey | Ratio Christi College Prep – Texas Hill Country Chapter | Spring 2022 | |
Sydney Shaffer | Ratio Christi College Prep – Texas Hill Country Chapter | Spring 2022 | |
Jonah Foster | Louisiana State University | Spring 2022 | |
Kelby Beeson | Louisiana State University | Spring 2022 | |
Clark Moghadam | Ratio Christi College Prep–Lincoln, NE | Spring 2022 | |
Evan Parker | Ratio Christi College Prep–Lincoln, NE | Spring 2022 | |
Justin Head | University of Arizona | Fall 2022 | |
Moriah Urick | Houston Christian University | Fall 2022 |
2021
Jaelyn Morgan | Liberty University | Spring 2021 | |
Matthew Kloos | University of Iowa | Spring 2021 | |
Corie Cozia | Liberty University | Spring 2021 | |
Victoria Warner | Liberty University | Spring 2021 | Infectious Enthusiasm For Apologetics Apparent in Victoria Warner |
Samuel Scheufler | University of Houston | Spring 2021 | |
Daniel Land | University of Houston | Spring 2021 | |
Christopher Stockman | Indiana University | Spring 2021 | |
Kiran Boone | Washington University in St. Louis | Spring 2021 | |
Samuel Herrington | University of Kentucky | Spring 2021 | |
Matthew Romer | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Spring 2021 | |
Elizabeth | Purdue University | Spring 2021 | |
Arielle Leake | University of North Carolina at Wilmington | Spring 2021 | |
Scarlett Black | Winthrop University | Spring 2021 | |
Rebecca Causey | Winthrop University | Spring 2021 | |
Nicholas Kendrick | University of South Carolina | Spring 2021 | |
Amanda Campbell | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2021 | |
Cody Levi | University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Spring 2021 | |
Joem Blado | Houston Baptist University | Spring 2021 | |
Benjamin Galindino | Houston Baptist University | Spring 2021 | |
Matthew Kovar | Ohio State University | Spring 2021 | |
Nelson Novales | Purdue University | Winter 2021 |
2020
Hannah Montague | University of Arizona | Spring 2020 | |
Weslee Green | University of Arizona | Spring 2020 | |
Brady Nelms | University of Tennessee | Spring 2020 | |
Luke Bassett | Grand Valley State University | Spring 2020 | |
Zachary Parisi | Rowan University | Spring 2020 | |
Aaron Wenger | Western Michigan University | Spring 2020 | |
Matthew Davis | Western Michigan University | Spring 2020 | |
Levi Durham | Western Michigan University | Spring 2020 | |
Diana Campbell | Western Michigan University | Spring 2020 | |
Kyle William Huitt | Western Michigan University | Spring 2020 | |
Kevin West | Liberty University Online | Spring 2020 | |
Lauren Mullininx | University of Georgia | Spring 2020 | |
Mitchell Walker | The Ohio State University | Spring 2020 | |
Jeremiah R Smith | Ohio State University | Spring 2020 | |
Christopher McCready | Crandall University | Spring 2020 | |
Conlan Sherman | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Spring 2020 | |
Carolyn J Garner | University of North Carolina at Greensboro | Spring 2020 | |
Jordan E Berryman | Liberty University | Spring 2020 | |
Zachary McCray | Rice University | Winter 2020 | |
Robin Kim | Rice University | Winter 2020 |
2019
Sam Robertson | University of Tennessee | Spring 2019 | |
Devonte Narde | Liberty University | Spring 2019 | |
Ashley Peters | Liberty University | Spring 2019 | |
Isaiah Parker | Liberty University | Spring 2019 | |
Kendra Smith | Liberty University | Spring 2019 | |
Ashley Peters | Liberty University | Spring 2019 | |
Shelby Spencer | Winthrop University | Spring 2019 | |
James Camp | Winthrop University | Spring 2019 | |
Cole Thompson | Grand Valley State University | Spring 2019 | |
Phillip Mastoridis | Rowan University | Spring 2019 | |
Nicole Vega | Stockton University | Spring 2019 | |
Joel Mohrmann | University of Nebraska – Lincoln | Spring 2019 | |
Kirk Lowe | York Technical College | Spring 2019 | |
Christian Alter | York Technical College | Spring 2019 | |
Joshua Fishman | University of Kentucky | Spring 2019 |
2018
Ryan Crews | Special Certificate | Winter 2018 | |
Kyler Herrington | Unviersity of Georgia | Spring 2018 | |
Benjamin Williamson | Liberty University | Spring 2018 | |
Victoria Davidson, Tyler Garmany | University of Georgia | Spring 2018 | |
Amos Crew | George Mason University | Spring 2018 | |
Emily Williams | Germanna Community College | Spring 2018 | Not yet interviewed. |
Judson Roy | RC College Prep, TX. | Spring 2018 | Not yet interviewed. |
Melanie Blagdon | Crandall University | Spring 2018 | |
Phillip Macdonald | Winthrop University | Spring 2018 | |
Jacob Beyer | Winthrop University | Spring 2018 | |
Scott Halliwell | Winthrop University | Spring 2018 | |
Matthew Lowe | University of Tennessee | Spring 2018 | |
Walter Derryberry | University of Tennessee | Spring 2018 | |
Samuel Knight | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Spring 2018 | |
Robert Kirkman | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Spring 2018 | |
Kinza Kirkman | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Spring 2018 | |
Corin Wenger | Northwestern Michigan College | Spring 2018 | |
Timothy Oh | University of California at Los Angeles | Spring 2018 | |
David Leyva III | University of California at Los Angeles | Spring 2018 | |
Alison Bean | UNC-Greensboro | Summer 2018 | |
Evangeline Lloyd | Ratio Christi College Prep | Summer 2018 | |
Natalie Abernathy | Ratio Christi College Prep / FTCC | Summer 2018 | |
Christopher Gogo | Methodist University | Summer 2018 | |
Andrew Wilson | University of South Carolina | Winter 2018 | |
Jonathan William | Kennesaw State University | Winter 2018 | |
Erick Andrews | Kennesaw State University | Winter 2018 |
2017
Jakeb Shuck | Marshall University | Spring 2017 | |
David Zilz | Purdue University | Spring 2017 | |
Paul Kalbfleisch | Purdue University | Spring 2017 | (Not interviewed) |
Rachel VanBeek | Western Michigan Unviersity | Spring 2017 | |
Jordan Andershock | University of Tennessee Knoxville | Spring 2017 | |
Julia Sant | Western Michigan Unviersity | Spring 2017 | |
Caleb Itterly | Appalachian State University | Spring 2017 | |
A.J. DelGesso | Stockton University | Spring 2017 | |
Zachary Lawson | Texas A&M | Spring 2017 |
2016
Jonathan Arroyo | San Jose State University | Spring 2016 | |
Tori Novack | Stockton University | Spring 2016 | |
Tanner Burt, Jeremy Evans, Mark Kloosterman | Western Michigan University | Spring 2016 | |
Emma Hilton | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Spring 2016 | |
Luke Long | University of Kentucky | Spring 2016 | |
Jenna Shackleford | RC College Prep, N.C. | Spring 2016 | |
Matthew Adamson | University of Alabama Huntsville | Spring 2016 | |
Jessica Thompson | Rutgers University | Spring 2016 | |
Jesse Perl | Winthrop University | Spring 2016 | |
Grant & Lexi Forrester | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Fall 2016 |
2015
Bentley Anderson, Matthew Beazley, Gaby Bermudez, Megan Brock, Anna Greenlee | University of Mississippi | 2015 | A Fruitful Season: Efforts at “Ole Miss” Pay Off in a Big Way (Part One) and (Part Two) |
Andrew Robbins | Texas A&M | 2015 | |
Dan Martin | University of New Hampshire | 2015 | |
Caitlin Montgomery | University of Virginia | 2015 | |
Dominic Silla | Stockton University | Spring 2015 | (Not interviewed) |
Marcus Ussery | Sam Houston State University | 2015 | |
Dan Palmere, Tina Rucker | Florida State University | 2015 | |
Joel Ballivian, Zach Kuhl, Kari Zigterman | Western Michigan University | 2015 | Outstanding RC Students Prove Prediction of a Great Spring at WMU |
Madison Blake, Victoria Israel, Zoe Polites, Katie Ann Shaw, Emily Turner | RC College Prep, N.C. | 2015 | Introducing our first group of outstanding RC College Preppers! |
Nicholas James | Toccoa Falls College | 2015 | (Not interviewed) |
Jordan Karausky | Rutgers University | Fall 2015 | (Not interviewed) |
Luke and Lauren Savage, Colby McMurry, Joseph Manzewitsch | University of North Carolina Charlotte | Spring 2015 | |
Madison Marston | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Fall 2015 | (Not interviewed) |
Richard “Isaac” McKown | Marshall University | 2015 | (Not interviewed) |
Luke Prudich | West Virginia University | Fall 2015 |
2014
Trevor Tackett | University of Kentucky | 2014 | |
Isaac Woodward | Rutgers University | 2014 | Two Rutgers U Chapter Members Receive Legatus Christi Certificates – Part One |
Andrea Morocoima | Rutgers University | 2014 | |
Czar Bernstein | Florida State University | 2014 | Meet Czar Bernstein, Legatus Christi Recipient and Future Professor |
Casper Oliver | Richard Stockton College | 2014 | |
Ryan Scarbel | University of North Carolia Greensboro | 2014 | |
Cody Bourse | University of Michigan Dearborn | 2014 | |
Olivia Mensah | University of Michigan Dearborn | 2014 | Spotlight on Outstanding RC Students at University of Michigan Dearborn – Part One |
Brian Bercea | University of Michigan Dearborn | 2014 | (Not interviewed) |
Jackson Turner | University of Georgia | 2014 | |
Grant Willey | University of Alabama at Huntsville | 2014 | Ratio Christi Student Grant Willey: Critical Thinking about “Traditional” vs. “New” |
Tim Hsaio | Florida State University | 2014 | (Not interviewed) |
Brandon Katz | University of Maryland | 2014 | Brandon Katz: The Jewish Believer Producing More Disciples for Christ |
2013
Chris Korcsmaros | Shepherd University | 2013 |
2012
Jordan Slusher | University of North Carolina Charlotte | October 18, 2012 | All subsequent Legatus Christi awards are given in honor of Jordan Slusher. Jordan’s story. Related article. |
Jordan Slusher In Memoriam
Jordan was a true ambassador of Christ and a proud University of North Carolina Charlotte 49er. He was a significant leader in the Ratio Christi chapter at UNCC and an intelligent, winsome, engaging, Christ-centered young man who actively engaged people in conversations that count. His generous friendship and winning smile came from his love for Christ.
Jordan had a particular passion for reasoning with atheists and attended the “Reason Rally” in Washington D.C. with other Ratio Christi students in order engage those without Christ. He encouraged others time and time again to “win the person, not the argument” and was focused on relationships while being a rigorous thinker and excellent apologist. He led many of his friends to Christ and encouraged many more.
To our great loss, Jordan was received into the embrace of the Savior following a hiking accident on June 9, 2012. He was an exceptional young man who exemplified the hopes and goals for Ratio Christi students.
Jordan believed that God would use him in a big way. We believe that his legacy with Ratio Christi and beyond is just beginning. At exactly the time we were developing this certificate program, we lost Jordan. Many of the Ratio Christi leaders and students in the area went to his memorial service. After the service Rick Schenker, President of Ratio Christi, received a call saying, “Jordan Slusher exemplified everything we want to accomplish with students on campus. Jordan was a kind and gentle apologist for Christianity, and an amazing evangelist. He was truly an “Ambassador for Christ.” So in July, Rick Schenker, Joshua Erlien, Ratio Christi Chapter Director at UNCC, and Blake Anderson, RC staff, visited Jordan’s parents, Randall & Melissa, asking them if they would be willing to accept Ratio Christi’s first Legatus Christi Certificate. They graciously agreed to receive this honor in memory of their son.
On October 18, 2012 at Ratio Christi’s second annual Symposium for leaders and students, the Legatus Christi Certificate was posthumously awareded to Jordan Slusher. Joshua Erlien, who had the priviledge of working with Jordan at UNCC, gave tribute to Jordan’s life and his parents’ godly influence. Jordan’s mother, father, and sister were present to receive the award.
In the weeks before Jordan’s accident he had told his parents that he felt that God would use him in a significant way, and that he was willing to be used by God. Less than a week before he died, he had painted a Greek phrase in large white letters on his dark green (UNCC’s colors) bedroom wall: Βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην It was not until after his memorial service that someone translated the Greek to recognize that it is from 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror in a riddle, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” This powerful passage is not only a reminder that Jordan is now in the direct presence of the God whom he loved and shared with others, but also a reminder to every Ratio Christi leader and student that the goal of our weak and imperfect learning is seeing God face to face. As apologists in this world, we have limited knowledge of God, although He has full knowledge of us. Our great hope, the truth of which was demonstrated by Jesus’ historical/factual resurrection, is that one day our knowledge of God will be direct and unimpeded.
Randall Slusher, Jordan’s father, told of Jordan’s love of the Gospel and held up the Bible Jordan had with him at the time of the hiking accident. The entire family has been an inspiration and witness to the power and truth of the Gospel through the most difficult times. Jordan and his family are truly Ambassadors of Christ.
We trust that Jordan’s life will be an inspiration to every Ratio Christi student. Ratio Christi’s desire is to help disciple students to become like Jordan: pursuing academic excellence, demonstrating Christ-like character, and practicing enthusiastic evangelism. Every Legatus Christi Certificate awarded in the future will be in honor of Jordan Slusher.
(In Loving Memory, May 17, 1991 ~ June 9, 2012)“Win the person…not the argument.” ~ Jordan Slusher
“This world won’t define my Hope!” ~ Jordan Slusher
Legatus Christi Standards
Each student receiving the designation of Legatus Christi—Ambassador for Christ—will have completed a challenging course of study in areas of Christian apologetics, worldview analysis, evangelism, and Christian thinking that has better equipped them to be leaders in the Christian community, disciple makers, and evangelists for Jesus Christ. In order to earn this title the Ratio Christi member will:
- Demonstrate greater biblical and philosophical understanding, Christian commitment, spiritual discernment, and more effective evangelism, at the end of their involvement than at the beginning.
- Be better equipped to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and defend its truth claims against objections.
- Develop a better understanding of the cultural milieu in which they live and better know how to engage that culture with love, respect, and humility.
- Gain a better understanding of the religious alternatives in their community and in the world by investigating such items as various world religions, religious sects, and cults and know how to respond in an effective manner.
- Defend the concept of truth, its nature, and its application against contrary claims.
- Develop the skills to accurately interpret the scriptures using solid hermeneutical principles.
- Articulate the arguments for God’s existence, the validity of miracles, the reliability of the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Apply scriptural principles of love, gentleness, and respect in engagement with non-Christians.
- Grow deeper into the Sacred Romance, resulting in a lifestyle commended by the Scriptures.
- Better integrate their thinking and lives in line with the Ratio Christi mission statement and the historic Christian faith.
- Be able to identify some basic challenges in apologetics related to God, miracles, Christ, and the Bible. They will be able to defend the Faith from the challenges in these areas and be able to present a logical, systematic approach to apologetics.
- Be able to teach the things learned to other faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also.
- Understand and apply the principles of servant leadership.
- Be able to show a heart of compassion to everyone, whether believer or non-believer, in the exercise of the evangelistic and apologetic effort and be able to skillfully apply God’s grace and truth to areas of sin and misunderstanding both in their own lives and in the lives of others.
- Be better able to engage both Christians and non-Christians in conversation concerning humanity’s fallen nature and the provision of grace via Jesus’ atonement on humanity’s behalf to all that trust in Christ.
These can also be summed up in four core values:
- Academic rigor. Someone who has pursued God with their mind.
- Demonstrated, Christ-like character (integrity).
- Enthusiastic evangelism. Engages others with compassion and respect.
- Willing to teach others which leads to exponential impact.