Returning the Blessing

One graduate’s story of why giving back is part of the degree

Commencement Weekend 2026 marked two milestones for James Armstrong: receiving his Master of Divinity degree and giving back to the school that shaped him.

Armstrong chose to give back in a meaningful way. His generous donation funded a new faculty lounge for the School of Divinity that opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, just one day before his commissioning on Saturday.

“The School of Divinity has been a huge blessing to me,” he says. “I thought a faculty lounge would give them a nice gathering place for fellowship and to share ideas.”

Armstrong, a successful wealth-management professional and business owner, began his Regent journey after years of sensing God’s leading toward seminary training.

“Regent graduates of all majors need to be ‘salt and light’ wherever they work and have influence (Matthew 5:13-14).”

James Armstrong (DIV ’26)

“My goal at Regent was always to deepen my relationship with the Lord through expanding my knowledge of his Word and Christian thought,” he explains.

What began as academic study quickly became something more.

“I cannot overemphasize how much of a blessing every course was during the degree process,” Armstrong insists. “The reading and writing in each course always brought me closer to the Lord.”

Armstrong wants to see fellow alumni extend their faith far beyond the walls of their church — and through his studies at the School of Divinity he learned how.

“My Regent education has not only deepened my faith, but it has helped me better accept that my business is my ministry,” he shares. “Regent graduates of all majors need to be ‘salt and light’ wherever they work and have influence (Matthew 5:13-14).”

That conviction also fuels his passion for supporting the university financially and encouraging others to do the same. For Armstrong, investing in Regent is ultimately an investment in the future of Christian leadership.

“It is important for those of us that have been blessed financially to participate in growing the Kingdom in whatever way we can,” he says. “Educating our youth … with a Christian worldview is really an advanced form of discipleship. Supporting this financially is very important.”