Southwestern announces Lee, Hedin, and Dighton as 2025 Distinguished Alumni
Ryan (Eunsang) Lee, Norma Sanders Hedin, and James Steven Dighton have been named the recipients of the 2025 distinguished alumni awards from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, President David S. Dockery announced today.
The honorees will be recognized during the Southwestern Seminary Alumni and Friends Luncheon on June 11 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.
Ryan Lee
Ryan Lee received a Master of Divinity in 2012 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 2019 from Southwestern. He also holds degrees from Harvard University Divinity School, Columbia University, and Carleton College.
Born in Suwon, South Korea, Lee spent time in the corporate world of New York City before following God’s calling into ministry.
He is currently an adjunct faculty member at Dallas Baptist University and Denver Seminary, a member of Southwestern’s Board of Reference, and senior pastor of Semihan Church in Carrolton, Texas, one of the largest Korean American congregations in the United States.
“A marvelous preacher and devoted pastor, Ryan Lee is also a gifted Christian theologian who is engaged with the work of the church around the globe,” Dockery said, pointing out he is influenced by Billy Kim, a prominent evangelist who served as president of the Baptist World Alliance. “We are grateful for Dr. Lee’s significant involvement on the Southwestern Board of Reference. We believe that his influence will continue to expand in many spheres in the days ahead.”
Norma Sanders Hedin
Norma Hedin graduated from Southwestern with a Master of Arts in Religious Education in 1984 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1990. Upon graduating, she served as an assistant professor of foundations of education at Southwestern, becoming the associate dean of the Terry School, where she oversaw the school’s master’s degree programs, chaired the curriculum committee, and served as a permanent member of the PhD committee.
In 2005, Hedin began teaching doctoral seminars at Dallas Baptist University when it began its PhD program, first as an adjunct before working full-time as vice president for executive affairs in 2016 and then the provost in 2018. She is also professor of research and leadership.
Hedin has also served on the Board of the North American Professors of Christian Education, as a fellow at the B. H. Carroll Theological Institute, and taught adjunctively for several years at the Canadian Baptist Seminary.
“Norma Hedin has invested her life in the work of Christian higher education,” said Dockery. “Several current Southwestern faculty members point to Dr. Hedin as both a mentor and as a model for their work in the classroom. We are thankful for Dr Hedin’s many years of service as a grace-filled, Christ-centered, and student-focused Christian educator.”
James Steven Dighton
James “Steve” Dighton graduated from Southwestern in 1984 with an Associate of Divinity and in 1988 with a Master of Arts in Religious Education.
He served as pastor at two Oklahoma churches before becoming the founding pastor of Lenexa Baptist Church in the Kansas City, Kansas, area in 1990, serving there for 25 years until his retirement. The church that started with less than 100 members grew to thousands of members and multiple campuses.
Dighton served as president of the Kansas/Nebraska Convention, vice president of the SBC Pastors’ Conference, interim pastor for 10 congregations in the past 10 years, and currently remains the pastor emeritus of Lenexa Baptist Church.
“Steve Dighton has been a model pastor in the Kansas/Nebraska Convention for more than three decades,” Dockery said. “His service to local churches and to the SBC has been laudable. A man of exemplary character who has modeled faithful pastoral ministry, we are grateful to God to call Dr. Dighton a Southwesterner.”
Free tickets for the Alumni and Friends Luncheon can be reserved here.
