Olivet Nazarene University

 

The ripple effect of an “Education with a Christian Purpose” continues as the Class of 2007 is making an impact on the world for Christ.

Here is just a glimpse of what some of our recent grads are already doing:

Kim Hudson: Beating the odds
Dr. Connie Walker remembers the day when Kim Hudson first walked into her office. “She looked at me and said, ‘I’m going to need a lot of help.’ That was the first understatement in [my] long association with her.” Through prayer, relentless studying, and help from both Connie and her classmates, the single mother not only went on to become the first person in her family to receive a bachelor’s degree, but also earned her master’s in counseling this past May.

Andrew Kizzee: Building for eternity
An ambitious and talented engineering student, Andrew Kizzee dreamed of building skyscrapers that would alter the Chicago skyline. Four years later, Andrew now has a vision that’s just as grand in scale – providing clean water to the poorest of villages around the world.

Angela Holderman: The FACS of life
Angela Holderman always regretted not completing college. But the mother of four children, one of whom was diagnosed with a developmental and neurological disorder, could not fathom returning to school so many years after high school. This May, with the support of her husband, a fellow adult student and the Olivet community, Angela finally realized her dream of becoming a family and consumer sciences teacher.

Angie Beauvais: Finding a calling through Teach for America
Becoming a teacher was never really what Angie Beauvais had in mind when she came to Olivet as a political science major. In fact, she was adamantly opposed to the idea. Throughout her college career, God changed Angie’s heart and gave her a passion for educating the marginalized children of Africa.

Marie Newsome: Life lessons
As a teacher in inner city Chicago, Marie Newsome has had her share of hard days. But with a loving and persevering spirit, she has been a light for Christ even in the most difficult of circumstances. Now Marie is taking on one of her most challenging – yet exciting – missions yet as she heads to Africa to teach young girls the value of an education.

Elizabeth May: Medical mission
Elizabeth May is remaining faithful to the call to missions God placed on her life at a very young age. Open to wherever He would have her go, she’s packing her bags for a medical trip through the country of India for the next two months.

Lisa Denault: Stepping out and stepping up
Lisa Denault threw herself into countless organizations and activities in college, excelling in all areas. So when narrowing down her after-college options, Lisa had to pause and discover the direction in which God was leading her. Now as she works to help others serve, she’s learning more about who she is and who God created her to be.

Justin Torrence: Being His hands and feet
As a full-time student and full-time construction worker, college proved to be a challenging balancing act for Justin Torrence. But he made the most of his time at Olivet, completing an internship at Focus on the Family and receiving a degree in religious studies. Now, as he serves as a junior and senior high youth pastor, Justin is continually excited for the plans God has for his life.

Ann Denton: Onward and upward still
Ann Denton didn’t care for the first major she chose in college … or the second … or the third. But her genuine care for other people eventually led her to major in psychology. Today, with limitless possibilities for the future, she plans to teach, study and travel her way through life.

Sarah McDevitt: London calling
Sarah McDevitt’s time at Olivet affirmed her love for three things in life: meeting new and diverse people, traveling to foreign locations and teaching young children. This fall she’ll have the opportunity to experience all three as she begins substitute teaching in England.

Tim Sommer: Something to write home about
The Oxford Scholars Semester — one of Olivet’s study abroad options — might seem an unlikely first stop to Boon Dang, South Korea. But for Tim Sommer ’07, the English university opened doors to an adventure halfway across the globe.