it is a true blessing to attend AU

There have been a handful of moments in my life that a calm engulfs me, and I know with my whole being God is showing me I am on the right path. The day my know with my whole being God is showing me I am on the right path. The day my family and I visited Anderson University was one of those days. I immediately had a family and I visited Anderson University was one of those days. I immediately had a feeling of comfort and acceptance, a feeling that I had not experienced while feeling of comfort and acceptance, a feeling that I had not experienced while touring any other college. I knew Anderson University was the place I wanted touring any other college. I knew Anderson University was the place I wanted to call home for the next four years. Not long after my acceptance into the to call home for the next four years. Not long after my acceptance into the university, AU’s Connect: Diversity and Inclusion Club presented me with an university, AU’s Connect: Diversity and Inclusion Club presented me with an amazing scholarship opportunity. This was another sign that God was amazing scholarship opportunity. This was another sign that God was ordering my steps to attend Anderson. Soon after going through the ordering my steps to attend Anderson. Soon after going through the requirements to be considered for the Connect: Diversity Leadership requirements to be considered for the Connect: Diversity Leadership

“Anderson University took the necessary steps to ensure their students would be able to start school safely in the fall of 2020 in person. AU has kept us healthy by implementing the use of masks and social distancing.”

Scholarship, the unexpected happened: COVID-19 took the world by Scholarship, the unexpected happened: COVID-19 took the world by storm, and the idea of attending Anderson University in the fall seemed storm, and the idea of attending Anderson University in the fall seemed uncertain. I knew I could only pray and have faith that God would take uncertain. I knew I could only pray and have faith that God would take care of me in such uncertain times. care of me in such uncertain times.

By the grace of God, I received a letter from Anderson University inviting me By the grace of God, I received a letter from Anderson University inviting me to compete in the Connect: Diversity Leadership Scholarship competition, where to compete in the Connect: Diversity Leadership Scholarship competition, where students vied for two different kinds of scholarships. I could hardly believe I was students vied for two different kinds of scholarships. I could hardly believe I was offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from such a distinguished school. The offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity from such a distinguished school. The competition process was challenging yet exhilarating at the same time, an experience competition process was challenging yet exhilarating at the same time, an experience

I will cherish forever. After completing the scholarship competition, my family and friends I will cherish forever. After completing the scholarship competition, my family and friends offered supportive prayers as I waited for the decision. I can vividly remember the moment offered supportive prayers as I waited for the decision. I can vividly remember the moment

I found out: I received a voicemail from Anderson University congratulating me on being I found out: I received a voicemail from Anderson University congratulating me on being a recipient of the full scholarship. I immediately dropped what I was doing and bolted into a recipient of the full scholarship. I immediately dropped what I was doing and bolted into my mom’s bedroom. We both cried tears of joy; it was such a surreal moment. I am forever my mom’s bedroom. We both cried tears of joy; it was such a surreal moment. I am forever grateful to Anderson University for providing me with such an astounding opportunity. grateful to Anderson University for providing me with such an astounding opportunity.

Shortly after COVID-19 struck, life as we knew it was forever changed. My classmates and I completed the remainder of our senior year online. Our graduation was not and I completed the remainder of our senior year online. Our graduation was not the one we always envisioned it to be. The thought of attending college virtually the one we always envisioned it to be. The thought of attending college virtually became a harsh reality for many. However, Anderson University took became a harsh reality for many. However, Anderson University took the necessary steps to ensure their students would be able to start the necessary steps to ensure their students would be able to start school safely in the fall of 2020 in person. Throughout this school safely in the fall of 2020 in person. Throughout this global pandemic, AU has kept us healthy by implementing global pandemic, AU has kept us healthy by implementing the use of masks and social distancing. Anderson has the use of masks and social distancing. Anderson has the distinct advantage of being a smaller university. the distinct advantage of being a smaller university. Even with the limitations placed upon us by Even with the limitations placed upon us by COVID-19, the school still organizes fun events COVID-19, the school still organizes fun events that allow us to meet other students while still that allow us to meet other students while still

adhering to safety guidelines. adhering to safety guidelines.

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I am now halfway through my freshman I am now halfway through my freshman year and still confi dent AU is the place I am year and still confi dent AU is the place I am meant to be. I have experienced obstacles meant to be. I have experienced obstacles and growth that have strengthened my character and growth that have strengthened my character as well as my faith. My teachers and friends who as well as my faith. My teachers and friends who are faithful servants of God are always there to are faithful servants of God are always there to support me, whether it be in academics or my spiritual support me, whether it be in academics or my spiritual growth. It is a true blessing to attend Anderson University. growth. It is a true blessing to attend Anderson University.

Olivia Johnson is an AU freshman and a recipient of Connect: Diversity Leadership Scholarship.