This award was created by the Association for the Scientific Study of Religion--Southwest at the 2008 meeting of the ASSR-SW as part of the Southwest Commission on Religious Studies. The Award was created to honor the service and dedication of Frank P. Forwood, a founding member and long-time program chair of the ASSR-SW. He was a Professor of Sociology and Religion at Northeast Louisiana University (now the University of Louisiana--Monroe) for more than thirty years. Dr. Forwood passed away in 2007 and the Award commemorates his memory, honoring his career service to the ASSR-SW and SWCRS and his many contributions to the study of religion in society.

Previous Honorees:

2023-24 Patrick Scott Smith, Independent Scholar
2022-23  Todd Jay Leonard, Fukuoka University of Education
2021-22   Adam Toler, Yale Divinity School
2020-21  John Francis Burke, Trinity University
2019-20  Darren J. N. Middleton, Texas Christian University
2018-19  Derek de la Pena, University of Houston Downtown
2017-18  Jerry Summers, East Texas Baptist University​
2016-17  Dianne Dentice, Stephen F. Austin State University
2015-16  Ann Reed Wilder, Stephen F. Austin State University
2014-15  Patrick Scott Smith, Independent Scholar, Nixa, Missouri
2013-14  Stephen Padilla, Wayland Baptist University—San Antonio
2012-13  Dennis Horton, Baylor University
2011-12  Todd Jay Leonard, Fukuoka University of Education
2010-11  Ben D. Craver, Wayland Baptist University
2009-10  Todd Jay Leonard, Fukuoka University of Education
2008-09  Dennis P. Horton, Baylor University
2007-08  J. B. Watson, Stephen F. Austin State University

For information regarding this award, contact the ASSR President.