Student Profile | More Than an Education

Senior business major Minh Vong traveled all the way from his hometown of Ho Chi Minh City in South Vietnam to Marshall four years ago to pursue higher education. He stepped onto ETBU’s campus unsure of his life’s direction, and unfamiliar with college life, while also adjusting to an entirely new country, culture, and set of expectations.

ETBU’s International Education program offers students from around the globe the opportunity to attend college in a close Christian community with excellent teaching and a robust, encouraging student life experience. Knowing he wanted to study abroad, but unsure of where to plant his roots, Vong now believes that God drew him to ETBU in order to change the course of his life and faith.

“When I came to the United States, I wanted to learn about other cultures and travel the globe, but I wasn’t sure where to go,” Vong shared. "An organization I applied to sent me the schools that would offer me an international scholarship, and even though I had never heard of Marshall, Texas, I felt drawn here for some reason.”

Minh’s first semester brought a whirlwind of change. Throughout his freshman year, he recalls overcoming several challenges, including not having a vehicle for transportation, adjusting to the cultural differences, and living in a different

time zone from his friends and family.

“As an international student, you have to be persistent, just keep pushing forward,” he said. “Hanging out with people helped me become better at speaking English. Reaching out to them, interacting with them also helped with being away from my family.”

In Vietnam, Christianity is not common. Minh’s family practiced Buddhism, and he did not hear much about the Christian faith before moving to East Texas. However, it was not long before he felt God moving in his life.

“I was not a Christian before coming here, so this has been a transformative experience. It started with chapel,” Vong expressed. “I went to chapel and enjoyed the worship, seeing everyone getting so involved in it. Then, my roommates invited me to church. I got to meet new people, improve my English skills, and learn more about God. It just felt right to me. I felt peace, something I had never experienced before.”

After accepting Christ, Minh knew his life would never be the same. His fellow Tiger students, professors, and churchgoers have been essential spiritual resources for him. “You never know what tomorrow may bring, but I learned to have faith in God, to trust His plan for my life,” Vong shared. “I also learned to not be afraid to ask questions. The people at ETBU are amazing and will help you with anything you need. The professors have played a part in my spiritual development as well.” Vong continued, “I’m a business major, so when you think about business, it’s all about money. But my professors integrate faith and how to do business, which has helped shape who I am now.”

At first, Minh’s family was unsure about his conversion to Christianity, but he says that they accepted it after seeing the peace he found in his relationship with Jesus Christ. Minh has not returned to Vietnam since he came to the States, but he video chats with his family almost every day. “Whenever I feel sad or homesick, I pull out a Bible and read it. It’s comforting to me,” he said. “Because of my new faith in Christ, I have a new family of believers here at ETBU, even though my biological family is in another country.” Minh is involved in Enactus, an organization on campus that teaches business skills and ethics while enabling students to run a small business that gives back to the Marshall community. He is a Resident Assistant in Centennial Hall, ETBU’s freshmen housing complex. He enjoys paying forward the kindness shown to him on campus.

“Living in Centennial Hall my freshman year, I felt isolated sometimes,” he shared. “I didn’t know anybody. My RA actively reached out to me, introduced me to people, showed me places on campus and around Marshall. That’s why I wanted to become an RA, I wanted to be that someone that freshmen can come to when they have problems. I can be there for them and help them like the RA helped me.”

While Minh’s plans for the future are unclear, he knows

that God will continue to bless him and grow the seed of faith that was planted in his heart since arriving on the Hill. “God has taught me how to be patient and faithful, knowing that all things work together for good,” Vong concluded. “Even though a situation may be difficult, it’s preparing you—it makes you stronger. God gave me the strength to gain a different perspective, to be positive, caring, and loving to people. He’s given my life a purpose, and I want to be there for people and serve others for Him.”

More than 600 students and their families gathered on the Hill for the 2019 annual Family Weekend festivities including a University-wide Lunch on the Lawn, community service to benefit Mission Marshall, and Tiger Football, as the entire campus united in Christian fellowship for the Glory of God.

“The campus was flooded with family members, who came to visit their students and get a glimpse of what life looks like here at ETBU.” Vice President for Student Life Heather Hadlock said. Faculty, staff, students, and families joined together for activities such as Family and Faculty Connection, Alumni Association Floats, and Family Tailgate.

“I enjoyed having my family here to meet my friends and coaches,” ETBU basketball player and sophomore elementary education major Zaiah Jackson said. “This is my home away from home and I love celebrating it with my family.”

Family Weekend provides the perfect opportunity for students to introduce their loved ones to their new life on campus. Freshman Arthur McDonald’s family traveled all the way from Tampa, Florida.

“This is Arthur’s first year in college, but he still calls every day,” Arthur McDonald’s mom, LaSondra McDonald said. “We went to Lunch on the Lawn, enjoyed root beer floats, and went shopping at the bookstore. Arthur showed us around campus; he seems like he is adjusting well and having fun.”

The Family Weekend schedule includes Tigers Serve Saturday, a service project for the Marshall community. This year, the Tiger Family donated, packaged, and delivered 2,251 pounds of canned food and other non-perishable items to Mission Marshall.

“Tigers Serve was encouraging as I watched families show up to donate,” Dr. Hadlock added. “Having family members model the Christ-centered servant leadership that is key to ETBU’s mission was a blessing to experience.”

Stephanie Andrews, the 1989's Miss ETBU Class ’89 attended Family Weekend activities with her daughter, sophomore Music Education major Kelsi Andrews.

“ETBU has changed so much, when I was here we had 600 students [now there are over 1,500],” Ms. Andrews said. “One thing that hasn’t changed is the mission, purpose, and focus. That is what’s important. ETBU is focused on Jesus, and cares about both their students and the community.”