Dr. Albin C. Whitworth, Organist of the Chapel and visiting professor of Music at Asbury Seminary, received the A Award from Asbury University during their Virtual Reunion Weekend, June 24-27. For 74 years, the A Award has been Asbury University’s highest alumni honor of distinction and is given to Asbury University graduates who have made significant impact in their area of influence and calling. The Seminary congratulates Dr. Whitworth on receiving this honor.

Dr. Whitworth taught at Asbury Seminary for 37 years, where he was professor of Church Music in the Lily May Jarvis Endowed Chair. For 31 years he was Director of Music and Organist, Artist and Composer in Residence at First United Methodist Church in Lexington, Ky. He is a native of Louisville, Ky., and holds an A.B. degree from Asbury University, M.Ed. and Ed.S. degrees from the University of Louisville and the Doctor of Christian Ministries honoris causa from Asbury University. He has done additional study at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music, Eastern Kentucky University, and the Royal School of Church Music, Addington Palace, Croydon, England.

Dr. Whitworth has performed around the world, including a Christmas performance at the White House, and published more than 200 compositions with eleven publishers, including 19 books of keyboard arrangements for church musicians, a book of descants for trumpet and organ, a piece for organ and hand bells, and 14 anthems for mixed choir.

He has published in The Church Musician, Pedalpoint, and The Organ Portfolio, periodicals for organists. He has made four solo recordings, Majestic Sounds of Worship, recorded on the 59 rank Austin pipe organ in Louisville’s historic Walnut Street Baptist Church, where he was organist for 17 years; Joy to the World, a recording of Christmas carols recorded on the Moeller Pipe Organ in Brentwood United Methodist in Nashville; and two piano solo albums, Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us and Amazing Love!

Dr. Whitworth was married to his late wife, the former Kathryn Jane Rieke of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for 58 years. She retired as an elementary teacher of gifted children. She also served as Director of Children’s Ministries at First United Methodist Church of Lexington. He and his wife have two identical twin sons, Mark, who is the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Asbury University and Kent, who is Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Other Asbury University A Award recipients this year include Dr. Winston Smith and Drs. JP and Helen Rehner Rader.