The Founder’s Award
Pastor Dick Iverson founded Portland Bible College in 1967 with the purpose of preparing men and women for service in the local church. For ministry to be fruitful and sustainable, growth must take place in every area of a person’s life.
As faculty members observe students throughout their training, they take note of those who demonstrate holistic development across spiritual, academic, relational, and personal disciplines. Students who pursue this kind of maturity position themselves to serve the Lord effectively and represent Him well.
Many students display the qualities of a healthy Christian life, and each is worthy of affirmation. However, we prayerfully select individuals who consistently model the character, integrity, humility, and faithfulness we believe are essential for lifelong Christian service. This award is simply a way of acknowledging what we have witnessed. It is our privilege to work with and recognize these men and women who exemplify the Christian life in an exceptional way.
Recipient History
- 2025 – Joshua Kaylor, Joelle Sperry
- 2024 – Ariana Jaquith, Caleb Stutzman
- 2023 – Enelsi Castro, Erika Wilkins
- 2022 – Luciane Mayumi Nishida
- 2021 – Elisa Kaylor, Nathan Lorenc
- 2020 – Sarah Hernandez, Victor Malbarosa
- 2019 – Jaasyel Monroy, Kaitlyn Price
- 2018 – Riley Hamilton, Kandice Jameson
- 2017 – Caleb Gowey, Rebekah Johnson
- 2016 – Nathanael Chown, Megan Patterson
- 2015 – Brian Holmes, Ashley Leach
- 2014 – Charity Cesia Carbajal-Rooney, Lucas de Sousa, Sean Gleason
- 2013 – Karina Jameson, Mackenzie Shoe, Adam Smucker
- 2012 – Daniel Eliason, Nicole Milne, Micah Westby
- 2011 – Sameul Albrecht, Mary Anne Feeney, Marcus Janzen
- 2010 – Cristopher Buck, Kathryn Schaub
- 2009 – Christopher Hubbard, Kim-Maree Roberts, Shalane Wellard
- 2008 – Elizabeth Burnetta, Daniel Gardner, Ashley Jackson, Dylan Jones
- 2007 – Travis Arnold, Emma Jones
- 2006 – Alessa Anderson, Lance McGinnis
- 2005 – Hamilton Gonzalez, Crystal Vernon
- 2004 – Robert Alvarado Jr., Erica Eason, John Prakasam
- 2003 – Noel Cammack, Kelly Rubuliak
- 2002 – Janell Bascom, Poncho Lowder
- 2001 – Lora Glanville, Jeremy Koepke
- 2000 – Ben Tice, Avril Watt
- 1999 – Jennifer Ebersole, Jason Johansen
- 1998 – Angie Malmin, Jonathan Stricker
- 1996 – Julie Copp, Simon Mould
The Kevin Conner Award
Kevin Conner (1927–2019) was a former Dean of Portland Bible College and a world-renowned scholar, pastor, and author. Without question, Kevin’s leadership during his tenure at PBC left an indelible theological and philosophical mark on the institution and its students.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1927, Kevin moved with his family to Portland, Oregon, in 1972. There, he served as Academic Dean of Portland Bible College and ministered at Mannahouse, formerly City Bible Church (then Bible Temple), until 1981. He later returned to Melbourne to minister at Waverley Christian Fellowship, where he served as Senior Pastor from 1988 to 1995, establishing a strong and healthy church through his leadership.
Kevin’s legacy endures through his decades of pastoral ministry, his role as a Teaching-Apostle, and the numerous textbooks he authored. These resources continue to shape ministers and students around the world.
As the faculty of Portland Bible College, it is our great privilege to work with students who come to us from outside the United States. These students often face significant financial, cultural, and political challenges to study at PBC. What motivates them through these obstacles is their desire to be trained in the Word of God so they can return to their home countries and better serve His Kingdom purposes there. Many men and women have done just that and are now back home making meaningful contributions to their nations.
We believe that God has a unique destiny for each of these students. We also recognize that some will be used in especially significant ways to advance the purposes of God in their countries. We want to honor those students. The Kevin Conner Award is our way, as a faculty, of affirming that we see the spiritual impact they are making back home. We are grateful for the privilege of sharing in the work of God in their lives.
Recipient History
- 2025 – Christy Chayadiputra, Titus Jaquith
- 2024 – Dasthyan Lolo Kassa
- 2023 – Akwila Kris
- 2022 – Natalie Carroll
- 2021 – Karen Serouna
- 2020 – Jason Layantara
- 2019 – Darren Raynaldd
- 2018 – Jeany Sie
- 2017 – Tyler Fitch
- 2016 – Marcus Soveral
- 2015 – Risa Takayama
- 2014 – Donny Roem
- 2013 – Michael Barton, Carolina Santos
- 2012 – Sugirtha Ajoo
- 2011 – Jun Young Lee
The Online Academic Excellence Award
The Online Academic Excellence Award recognizes a student in Portland Bible College’s online program who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, consistency, and engagement in their coursework.
Though online students complete their studies from a distance, their diligence, discipline, and commitment to learning are clearly evident. This award honors a student who has excelled in their classes, maintained a strong academic record, contributed meaningfully to discussions, and stewarded the opportunity to study with integrity and excellence.
Established in 2025, this award reflects our desire to celebrate those who pursue biblical education wholeheartedly, wherever they are located.
Recipient History
- 2025 – Angelo Candelario
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