My profession requires a strange mix of the abstract and concrete. We track data as signposts of university life, but the experience of students is Olivet’s actual lifeblood. It’s important to at least look at the one, but really see the other.
So, look with me at some data. All praise to God, we’ve recently experienced three all-time records: the largest freshman class in Olivet’s history, the biggest philanthropic support two years in a row and paying off the highest amount of debt in the shortest time in history.
There are also “firsts” of recent history, though perhaps not all-time records because the University pivots its focus from era to era: We’ve seen more students than anyone can remember getting mental health counseling in our THRIVE Center; more tutoring in the Dykhouse Center for Academic Excellence; more than 1 million downloads of scholarly works by our faculty and students through Digital Commons; and an unprecedented $5 million reduction in energy costs in just five years.
OK, great! That indicates life, but is our lifeblood — the students — served by such things?
Adrianna Thayer graduated in May and is headed to Johns Hopkins University for a genomics program and then to medical school to become an oncologist. I love that alumni are a remedy for the scourge of our time, cancer. In fact, her Commencement speaker was alumna Dr. Teresa Woodruff ’85, whose research at Northwestern University coined the term “oncofertility” in support of family planning among cancer survivors. She also just completed a term as interim president of Michigan State University.
One adult life begins. The other is a long-term miracle, out of Olivet.
Graduate Bett O’Neal might become a longterm miracle too. She arrived at Olivet from deep challenges at home and encountered an alien community. She said, “Olivet was extremely foreign: The people were too nice, chapels were too long, but my coaches cared more about who I was off the court than on. Katie on our team led me to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I now see God has shown me grace I couldn’t give myself, gives me joy that makes my days more colorful and patience to keep Him at the forefront of my decisions.”
She soon begins work as a special education teacher. I love that alumni are competent specialists for those our society often overlooks.
Finally, you need to know about another longterm miracle in the making: Jotham Drayton, an engineering student from Israel. Soon to graduate, he already defines his calling as “missioneering.” He speaks six languages; has Swiss, Lebanese and Nigerian heritage; and intends to be a “tentmaker engineer to serve in countries where the door would be closed for someone with a degree in ministry.” I love how alumni solve practical needs for communities around the world.
Do you know what I mean when I say to look at our data, but really see these students? In fact, an alumnus and his wife recently helped Jotham feel profoundly seen. Though they never met each other, God connected them through Olivet.
Jotham feared he would need to withdraw from Olivet over stress in his homeland and withering finances. His then fiancée, now wife, Kate Reed ’16, advocated for him to the University, naming his $13,000 need in a gentle inquiry. Just three days later, the University learned that the alumnus and his wife simultaneously had prepared that specific donation intent for whichever senior needed help to finish. Wow!
In a letter to the couple, Jotham wrote, “When I heard God put $13,000 on your heart to give, I knew God is truly El-Roi — ‘the God who sees me’ (Genesis 16:13).”
Gregg Chenoweth, Ph.D.
University President
From Olivet The Magazine, A Need to Belong – Summer 2024. Read the full issue here.
