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
Spring 2024  
Katelyn EbertUniversity of WashingtonSpring 2023  Very Silly, Very Nerdy, and Full of Very Good Friends
Duncan SchotanusCrandall UniversitySpring 2023 
Cross AllenKansas State UniversitySpring 2023  Gentleness and Respect
Austin StroudNorth Carolina State UniversitySpring 2023 
Mallory PadgettNorth Carolina State UniversitySpring 2023 
Parker BowlingUniversity of TennesseeSpring 2023 
Dalton BrownUniversity of TennesseeSpring 2023 
Ryland SeagravesUniversity of TennesseeSpring 2023 
Katelyn FossettUniversity of TennesseeSpring 2023 
Joshua HackUniversity of ArizonaSpring 2023 
Rachel ByrdUniversity of HoustonSpring 2023 
Garrett WrightUniversity of KentuckySpring 2023 
Treston SmithSam Houston State UniversitySpring 2023 
Savannah WarnementSam Houston State UniversitySpring 2023 
Catherine CaballeroSam Houston State UniversitySpring 2023 
Rachel KanadyUniversity of KentuckySpring 2023 
Holly FischerUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnSpring 2023 
Brian BeachUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnSpring 2023 
Hunter PrattLiberty UniversitySpring 2023  In Pursuit of Christ and the Truth that Aligns with Him
Spencer BrittinghamPurdue UniversitySpring 2023 
Hannah KalufPurdue UniversitySpring 2023 
Caroline KantorisKennesaw State UniversitySpring 2023 For Such a Time as This
Isaac LindellPurdue UniversitySpring 2023 
Jacob JohnsonUNCWSpring 2023 
Lia RepucciOhio State UniversitySpring 2023 
Jamila CrossHouston Christian UniversitySpring 2023 
Daylon PiperHouston Christian UniversitySpring 2023 
Leul TeferaHouston Christian UniversitySpring 2023 
Chase BishopWestern Carolina UniversitySpring 2023 
Tyler GlattNorth Carolina State UniversitySpring 2023 
Riley RanzauKansas State UniversityFall 2023A Christian Concern

Nicholas Tedla

Purdue University, Indianapolis

Spring 2022

 

Ben Pankratz

Kansas State University

Spring 2022

  Grasping the Mission

Matthew Hawkins

Colorado State University

Spring 2022

 

Alex Weber

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Spring 2022

 A Genuine Love for Christ

Dawson Henry

Alaska Bible College

Spring 2022

 A Consistent  Method by Which to Reason Well

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

  A Place of Understanding

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

 

Jaelyn Morgan

Liberty University

Spring 2021

A Sincere Commitment to Christ

Matthew Kloos

University of Iowa

Spring 2021

 Effectively Communicating Christ

Corie Cozia

Liberty University

Spring 2021

Corie Cozia: A Humble Witness

Victoria Warner

Liberty University

Spring 2021

Infectious Enthusiasm For Apologetics Apparent in Victoria Warner

Samuel Scheufler

University of Houston

Spring 2021

 Legatus Christi Article

Daniel Land

University of Houston

Spring 2021

 Legatus Christi Article

Christopher Stockman

Indiana University

Spring 2021

 

Kiran Boone

Washington University in St. Louis

Spring 2021

 Testimony Matters

Samuel Herrington

University of Kentucky

Spring 2021

 Growing in Christ

Matthew Romer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Spring 2021

 

Elizabeth

Purdue University

Spring 2021

 The Christian Thinker

Arielle Leake

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Spring 2021

 Growing in Confidence and Boldness

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

 

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

Recipient of Legatus Christi 

Zachary Parisi

Rowan University

Spring 2020

Recipient of Legatus Christi

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

A Model Apologist-in-the-Making: Christopher McCready

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

High School Graduate Receives Ratio Christi’s Highest Honor 

Zachary McCray

Rice University

Winter 2020

 

Robin Kim

Rice University

Winter 2020

 A Desire to Explain

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

“Intentional Discipleship” at Western Michigan University

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

 

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

Five Years of Good Reasons for What We Do

Dan Martin

University of New Hampshire

2015

 

Caitlin Montgomery

University of Virginia

2015

The Girl Who Started Everything at UVA

Dominic Silla

Stockton University

Spring 2015

(Not interviewed)

Marcus Ussery

Sam Houston State University

2015

Introducing “Magnet Man” from RC at SHSU

Dan Palmere, Tina Rucker

Florida State University

2015

RC Grads Return to Help Their Chapter

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

 

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

Chris Korcsmaros

Shepherd University

2013

 
Jordan SlusherUniversity of North Carolina CharlotteOctober 18, 2012All subsequent Legatus Christi awards are given in honor of Jordan Slusher. Jordan’s storyRelated article.

Jordan Slusher In Memorarium


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:

  1. Demonstrate greater biblical and philosophical understanding, Christian commitment, spiritual discernment, and more effective evangelism, at the end of their involvement than at the beginning.
  2. Be better equipped to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and defend its truth claims against objections.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Defend the concept of truth, its nature, and its application against contrary claims.
  6. Develop the skills to accurately interpret the scriptures using solid hermeneutical principles.
  7. Articulate the arguments for God’s existence, the validity of miracles, the reliability of the Bible, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  8. Apply scriptural principles of love, gentleness, and respect in engagement with non-Christians.
  9. Grow deeper into the Sacred Romance, resulting in a lifestyle commended by the Scriptures.
  10. Better integrate their thinking and lives in line with the Ratio Christi mission statement and the historic Christian faith.
  11. 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.
  12. Be able to teach the things learned to other faithful men and women who will be able to teach others also.
  13. Understand and apply the principles of servant leadership.
  14. 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.
  15. 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:

  1. Academic rigor. Someone who has pursued God with their mind.
  2. Demonstrated, Christ-like character (integrity).
  3. Enthusiastic evangelism. Engages others with compassion and respect.
  4. Willing to teach others which leads to exponential impact.