Letter from the Editor Editor
Howdy!
As you look through this year’s magazine, I hope you can see all the love and hard work the photographers, writers, and graphic designers put into it. I love this team that God has put together; they are some of the funnest people I get to spend time with! Throughout the year I have gotten to know and appreciate the unique perspectives and personalities each member brings to our meetings. I love getting to lead and laugh with them every week, and I am thankful to have a team I will miss this summer.
“Becoming, beholding, and belonging in community”
As a team, we decided that this year’s Roots Magazine would be centered around the Student Affairs vision statement: “Becoming, beholding, and belonging in community.” With this magazine we wanted to showcase freshmen experiencing college life for the first time, encourage sophomores and juniors as they continue their journey, and celebrate with seniors as they graduate. As you look through the magazine, we hope that you can see who you are becoming, how you are beholding God, and how you are finding belonging at Grace College. While the first part of the goal is important, the last part is equally as important. Being in community helps us learn who we are and who God is. It is through the people that we surround ourselves with that help us become, behold, and belong by loving God and each other.
see how much I have changed. Looking forward, I realize senior year is a year away, leading to many new changes. While this makes me nervous, there is also an excitement that I have about the future. Over the past two years, I can see how I’ve grown and how God has faithfully provided. He gave me my best friend and roommate, a strong circle of friends to make memories with, and an amazing Roots team to brighten my life. It is important to remember the things God has done in the past to look forward to things He will do in the future. Circumstances around us will always be changing, but God never does. He is stable in the chaos of our everyday lives.
Some of you are graduating and maybe you have a mixture of relief and fear. Some of you, like me, have more years left at Grace, and you are both excited or nervous. Take some time to reflect on God’s provision this past year. You may be uncertain about the years ahead of you, but God is going to be with you wherever you go.
Sincerely,
Abby Kiehn
Meet the Team
Position: Editor-in-Chief
Year: Third Year
Major: Visual Communication Design
Interesting fact: a rubber duck statue out of rubber ducks.
Position: Copywriter/ Graphic Designer
Year: Third Year
Major: Digital Marketing
Interesting fact: She has family in 11 different states and some in Canada.
Position: Graphic Designer
Year: First Year
Major: Digital Marketing
Interesting fact: He is color blind.
Position: Graphic Designer Year: Second Year
Major: Visual
Communication Design
Interesting fact: She can ride a bike with no hands.
Position: Photographer Year: Third Year
Major: Art & Visual Culture Interesting fact: She is an animal magnet.
Position: Graphic Designer Year: Second Year
Major: Visual
Communication Design
Interesting fact: She has a webbed toe.
Position: Photographer Year: First Year
Major: PhotographyInteresting fact: She has the exact same eyes as her grandma.
Position: Graphic Designer Year: December Graduate
Major: Visual
Communication Design Interesting fact: He designed 7 books about art, most of them over 800 pages long.
Justine Troutman
JennaLovell
Braydon Collins
Cara Cummins
Aubrey Byers
Leila Todd
Andrej Glavas
What is your name?
What is your major?
What hall are you on?
Fun Fact?
Where are you from?
Roots HISTORY
For ten memorable years, you—our readers—have been the heart of our story. The culture, campus life and your involvement as Grace College students have shaped us into who we are today as Roots Magazine. Many passionate, hardworking individuals have dedicated much time and effort over the years to make every edition of our magazine possible. From navigating the challenges of the Covid pandemic to welcoming record-breaking numbers of our recent incoming students, our goal over the last ten years has been to tell untold stories and connect our college community by compiling unforgettable experiences that allow students to reminisce on their experiences for years to come. As we celebrate our tenth anniversary, we also celebrate you as the ones who add to the growing legacy of Grace College.
When the magazine was established ten years ago, it was originally named after the Heritage yearbook that had annual publications since 1967. The yearbooks were acquired by students solely through sales. The final publication of the Heritage yearbook for the 2012-13 school year cost students $60 of which only 45 students purchased. Due to the financial expense and lack of student interest, Grace staff began to reevaluate the continuation of the yearbook and consider new alternatives.
Kearstin Criswell, the Director of Student Involvement at the time, drove the project of finding a different option for capturing memories throughout the school year that would better cater to the needs of students. After interviewing a focus group of students to determine ways of improvement based on their interests, it was decided that
offering students a “free yearbook” in the form of a magazine would serve as the new approach in which memories and significant events would be recorded at Grace College. Hence, the project gave way to the first publication of Heritage Magazine in 201314; however, its name only stuck for that first year before the team began brainstorming new names.
“Roots Magazine exists to create a legacy and provide opportunities for reflection to the student body through capturing the memories and values of the Grace College community with quality and excellence.”
“We wanted it to tell the story of Grace College,” explained Aaron Crabtree, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students. This, he shared, was the sole purpose of the magazine—focusing
on students through the college events and involvements experienced around campus. Thus, the magazine was renamed Roots Magazine as a more accurate representation of the student body and college as a whole.
Since its establishment, Roots and Grace College have seen many unique milestones—both big and small, exciting and challenging—over the last ten years. During this time frame, trends that spread quickly among students were Flappy Bird, fashion scarves, stickers, and longboarding, among many other fads. Roots has also covered a wide variety of student clubs and service opportunities on campus. This includes an elementary girls’ dance class ministry called “Dance 4 Him” (2019) and a letterwriting club called “Campus Cursive” (2016) that would meet together to write encouraging notes to the Grace and surrounding community. Countless other clubs have come and gone over the years and many more that are organized by students today. New buildings have also popped up on and off campus, including the addition of several new dorms/ apartments (Lodge, Omega,
Lofts, Boyer, and Oak Hill), the Miller Science Complex (originally the Cooley Science Center), new lights on the soccer field, more green space on campus, and the reopening of Westy Grill as a dining alternative.
In 2020, Grace College took its hit from Covid that resulted in the tragic loss of Bethany Nesbitt, a student at the time; thereby causing a distressing season for many students and faculty/ staff. This was a challenging time for the college, but Bethany continues to be remembered with deep sentiment as a student and friend to many. Lastly, one of the most recent and momentous transitions post-Covid was the hiring of Dr. Drew Flamm as the new president (aka “Prez”) in 2022, which has been an exhilarating uplift for the entire school.
Through both the exciting moments and the challenging ones, Roots has had the privilege of covering a variety of campus life events and significant turning points as a college. It first started with a compassionate, student-oriented group of people who wanted to give students a keepsake that they could continue to look back on even after college. Much has evolved over the years at Grace College and continues to, but now and for years to come, we continue to prioritize our student-centric mission:
“Roots Magazine exists to create a legacy and provide opportunities for reflection to the student body through capturing the memories and values of the Grace College community with quality and excellence.”
You can see theeditionspastinlibrary!
December Graduates
Seniors
May Graduates
Joshua Fisher
Beachey
Neese
Erickson
Stachel
Gruber
Bryant
Elli Rauch
Annika Frick
Alaina Brown
Barcus
Kamryn Booher
Kaylee Ash Sarah Grace Bogle
Jonathan Biller
Acuna Veronica Belousov
Jovan Bowdler Eli Bruns
Shaffer
“Wherever you are, be there” - Rob O’Neill
longer than expected, but got it done!
60% of the time, it works everytime
Sucess is a product of failure.
The day my body rejects RedBull is the day my life ends
Isn’t Alaska by Hawaii?
Danielle Johnson
Mahima Daliya
“You should get your picture taken” - Alicia Meyer
Thank
Chapters end, but His faithfulness continues.
Every monologue from Greta Gerwig’s 2019 Little Women.
loot.
Ouar naur I’m leeving Ehhmma and Cleor berhind.
See you on the other side
Claudia Kelly
Brileigh Denham
Bianca Jimenez-Ortiz
Andrew Cupp
Welcome Kabayiza
Audrey Deak
Maria Ignas Lucas Cummings
Claire Horvath
Kayla M Crowder
DaZhane Jones
Naomi Davis
Shelby Huiner Gilbert Cummingham
Allyson Hiles Kaylee Cotterman
Supreme Court, I’m on my way.
Love God, love people, and hold a door when possible
The tassel was worth the hassle, I guess?
Kaitlyn Johnson Marcus Davidson
Olivia Knepper
Isabella Diener
Kaylee Lehnert
Joseph Engle Madison Lehman Courtney Engels Mikayli Laidig
Lydia Enas
Heather Kooi
Yabi Ehlers
Gracie Lewis
Joseph Ewing
Hailee Lundblad
Benji Fugate
Nicolas Luna
Samantha Fudge
Niko Lopez
Alysha Fontanilla
Kaitlin Linville Hudson Felsman
Annie Lundy
Camden Graham Grace May
Susan Herrmann
Cadence Mast
Makenna Gull
Laura Martinez
Kee’Alah Green
Molly Malick
Anthony Graves Más o menos
He gives me the freedom to fully enjoy where I am because He holds it all together.
Katherine Thompson
Kinidy Morgan
Köszönöm szépen!
Cherish the moment, reflect on the past and trust the Lord with the future.
Stick with it!
Gurl I just gwadowado!
God is good.
The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.
Give to God what belongs to God. You are of the Lord.
I’d like to thank the sidewalks for keeping me off the streets. They spectate, but only when you’re winning.
I don’t struggle with autism, I’m actually very good at it.
You hear what you want to hear.
Micah Ware
Lilli Oberhoff
Hannah Tate
Elijah Moore
Aubree Vander Dussen Mikayla Myers Faith Stewart
Kinley Moody Ethan Stahl Ashlyn Meyer
Savannah Troyer
Allison Mroczek
Hannah Stair
Andrea Mickley
“Be curious, not judgmental” - Ted Lasso
Jacob Smith
Kaylee McCaskey
You don’t need an A to get into Heaven.
lijahmoor
Owen Tolstedt
Aspen Moyer
Joshua White
Aron Olomwene Jackson Williams
Nicole Poort
Emryn Williams
Katie Phillips
Emma Wiewel
Rachel Perry
Alice Wickiser Cailin Olson
Lily Williams
Anna Porritt
Lydia Ruegsegger
Jenifer Robinson Matthew Reynolds
Noah Wright Lydia Ramsour
Ella Ruh
Jessalynn Simpkins
Megan Shoemaker
Aidan Russell Grace Runyan
What is is meant to be.
Welcome Weekend!
This past year, Grace College welcomed a record-breaking number of 476 incoming students which quickly had the campus buzzing with excitement! Several events took place all over campus during Welcome Weekend, including the Welcome to Grace introduction, outdoor picnic, worship service, and First-Year Follies, among many other academic and athletic meetings. “I loved how welcoming everyone was,” one student expressed in her first experience with Grace. “It made me feel at ease and right in place.” Grace was blessed with the assistance of faculty, staff, parent council volunteers, board members, nearly 200 student leaders and many other helping hands to make Welcome Weekend a success. All other returning students came back during the Hike, a first-year student event, made more exciting due to a town wide water outage!
firstyearfollies
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
ThingstoThank
There is always something to be thankful for in every season of life. Being mindful of the Lord’s blessings not only keeps us humble before our gracious God; it also helps motivate us to glorify Him every day of every week. This is true as Grace College students—bearing in mind all the good things in our lives gives us reason to rejoice. However, sometimes it can be hard to see the blessings in our lives during tough or dry seasons. Learning to appreciate the little things throughout every day has helped numerous students at Grace. From the events on campus to walking the trails to popping boba, there is so much to be thankful for. Learn how other students got through college by focusing on small, everyday joys!
community
“Popping boba and Zotero”
- Ella Ruh
“Community, variety of food places, library activities, diverse activities, and randomness.”
- Savannah Troyer
“Beta Hall, my Beta 2 boys, my best friends, and the mentors who have pushed me to grow closer to Christ”
- Clayton Walker
“I’m thankful for all the different kinds of support that allowed me to succeed. From friends, professors, and maybe most of all Connie Burkholder!”
Grace spiritual growth faculty
What got you college?through
- Kaylee McCaskey
“Warm weather when walking to 8ams.”
- Claire Davis
“The friends that I have met along the way are what have truly made the past four years the best!”
- Sydney Cesare
“My friends, the trails, and my little golden retriever friend named Willy.”
- Leah Bos
“The atmosphere of prayer that is over campus. There’s nowhere that prayer feels awkward.”
- Nehemiah Shank
“I’m extremely grateful for the friends that I have made here. They have gotten me through thick and thin and are some of the best people I have ever met. The best part of my college experience has been them and their support. I couldn’t be more thankful for them.”
- Brette Hanavan
“Jesus, my boyfriend, my sister, my close friend, student mentor, my family, my guinea pig, my professor.”
- Keira Moyer
“I love was.welcominghoweveryone It made me feel at ease and right in place.”
“Students there were willing not only to make me feel welcome but also were praying with us.”
Students expressing their passion for Grace culture
“Everyone and I mean everyone I came into contact with from Grace was so friendly and welcoming. It was such a positive environment!”
Homecoming
Court
Banquet Beanie Bowl
Afterparty
Homecoming this past year was a golden one, filled with numerous student events throughout the week.
From Skate Night to the Beanie Bowl to the Homecoming Banquet, the campus was a lively place to be during this exciting time. The junior class dominated this year in both men’s and women’s Beanie Bowl Championships, where students could watch along the sidelines of Beta Field and munch on a tasty snack from Ben’s Pretzels.
The Saturday Homecoming Banquet served as an enjoyable way to round off the exciting week for a total of 481 attending students. Out of the very competitive lineup of candidates, Joe Engle and Heather Shaw were crowned Homecoming King and Queen! With the banquet’s theme of “Going for the Gold,” four lucky staff members had the opportunity to entertain students with a variety of fun and silly competitions littered throughout the banquet event.
President Drew Flamm, Dr. Laurie Owen, Brooke Lengacher, and Chinges Sabol each had their own student section that cheered them on during each of the games, ending with an exciting win for Brooke’s team! Following the banquet, students had the chance to gather in the McClain Auditorium to enjoy the Afterparty filled with dancing, mocktails, and fun time with friends!
Big Changes On Campus
Whether we see it clearly or not, God is always working in amazing ways at Grace College. This past year, the college was blessed with a $27.2 million grant to use collaboratively with the Warsaw/Winona Lake community to benefit both students and the surrounding community. As the largest grant that Grace College has ever received, the College & Community Collaboration grant was provided by the Lilly Endowment, which selected sixteen out of thirty-four Indiana colleges to receive the grant. These funds will help connect Grace College to the Warsaw and Winona Lake communities through programs and amenities that will be available to both students and the general public.
In determining how to allocate these funds, Grace College and its community partners came together to create a vision and set of goals to serve the needs of students and the surrounding community. In alignment with the purpose of the grant, the team of community leaders formed a vision with four main themes—Innovation Initiatives, Well-Being Amenities, Connection Ways,
and Enhanced Placemaking—that consist of various projects to impact Grace and the community. This set of projects has been named the Catalyst Corridor initiative, overseen by Emiko Kreklau, the Executive Director of the grant and its projects.
Grace College is working with the cities of Warsaw and Winona Lake to plan a series of exciting projects that will all happen over the next five years (2024-2029). The initial set of projects are building a Community Fieldhouse at the Miller Complex, completely renovating the GHAWC, and establishing a Business Innovation Center on campus. The largest Catalyst Corridor project is the development of the Orthopedic Innovation Research Center which will become home for the Department of Engineering. Its completion is predicted to take four to five years, and its location just past the roundabout on Winona Avenue and Argonne Road will extend the campus. Other projects to be completed in the coming years are enhancements and beautification of Winona Avenue and Argonne Road
(sidewalks, a new underpass, and more), renovations of Rodeheaver Auditorium, and construction of a bike park and extended trails near the Miller Athletic Complex. These projects will give students and the community opportunities to engage and integrate in more ways.
This grant has given Grace College and the cities of Warsaw and Winona Lake new opportunities to grow and create community. The new buildings at Grace College will serve multiple purposes that benefit students, faculty, staff, and the community. The bike park and beautification of surrounding areas will offer students and the general public more ways to connect and enjoy the amenities of Kosciusko County. These opportunities will allow Grace College to bless its students and the community in many ways. Moreover, the grant is a humble reminder that God provides in marvelous, unexpected ways and is yet another of His many blessings for which to be thankful.
Dr. Emi Kreklau
Photo from Grace Marketing
Food for Thought
Allergy Advice from Grace College Students
As a college student with dietary restrictions, it can be challenging to eat due to an allergy, sensitivity, or other health complication. Not having the same resources and amenities at school as what you have at home is often limiting and stressful. You may even find yourself wondering if you will be able to remain at school due to frequent or extreme flare-ups. As food allergies, sensitivities, and other healthrelated concerns become increasingly common, it is even more vital that college
“Students can use the Everyday App to view daily menus, including ingredients and nutritional information. For personalized support, Jessica Airola, the campus dietitian, is available for meal planning and dietary advice.”
- Connie Burkholder
students have access to the foods they need to accommodate their allergies or health complications.
A group of students with allergies/sensitivities shared about their dietary experience at Grace College. Many of them have had to think creatively to find ways to accommodate their situations. These students have provided advice on what dining services and foods they can or cannot eat. Some of them even make their food themselves and provided recommendations on their favorite meals. Check out some of these tips and tricks to help students work around their dietary restrictions while living at Grace College!
Severe Mild
Gluten
Anonymous
Severity: 1
Residence: Apartment
Advice: “Beverages are fine! Enjoy the little things :)”
Emryn Williams
Severity: 1
Residence: Off Campus
Advice: “Tacos are my go-to! Also, when I still lived in a dorm room, I ate a lot of meals with rice as that is easy to make in the microwave. I would also try to eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies as that’s something I didn’t get a lot of in Alpha due to cross-contamination.”
Dairy
Leila Todd
Severity: 3
Residence: Dorm
Advice: “I eat anything at the Grille except cheese, ranch, and sour cream. At Jazzbucks, anything without milk—tea, refreshers, etc.”
Adaline Zull
Severity: 2
Residence: Dorm
Advice: “Keep fresh fruit, vegetables, various proteins, rice, and potatoes on hand in the dorm.”
“Set up meetings with Connie Burkholder or James Bloemendaal and explain your dietary restrictions and try to understand where they’re coming from too as it’s no small task to provide meals for the whole of Grace College.” - Emryn
“Get simple servings and use the Everyday app to look at ingredients—it’s very helpful.” - Leila
Peanuts/Treenuts
Emily Bryant
Severity: 1
Residence: Dorm
Advice: “Slowly incorporate the salad bar, simple servings, and Westy/SubCo. It really is a matter of trial and error and finding out what works for you which can be scary with having an allergy. Figure out what works for you and don’t worry about what others think. Your true friends will always be willing to accommodate your dietary needs.”
Handong Grace College University
Abroad AbroadAdventures Adventures
Where there is cultural diversity, there is great opportunity for learning and understanding about the world around us. This year, several exchange students from South Korea immersed themselves in American culture for the first time while studying at Grace College. In highlighting three of our exchange students, Haeun Lee, Juyoung Jeong, and Haeun Jeong have expressed the amazing opportunities and relationships they developed while in the States. During their time abroad they visited Chicago and other places in Indiana with their new friends. They were befriended by Grace students who invited them into their homes over fall and Thanksgiving breaks, creating some of their best memories while abroad. The students noted many differences between South Korea and America. In America, they noticed that people smile more and have friendly greetings/conversations in passing. They observed that people compare less to each other in America in terms of physical appearance than in South Korea due to the wide ethnic diversity in the States. There is also a noticeable difference in how adolescents address their elders in America versus South Korea; in their culture, it is expected to use formal language and greet them with a bow. The women also faced some challenges due to the language barrier and food differences. However, they learned how to overcome these differences
and grew accustomed to new ways of living in a foreign culture. Haeun Lee shares, “In Korea, most of the food is spicy, so it was hard to find spicy dishes here at first. However, I started exploring delicious American dishes. Now, the problem is that I enjoy the food here so much that I overeat!” These students constantly showed positivity and openness to trying new things. As a result, they developed new interests and hobbies while at Grace College, fostering a refined worldview of international culture.
Juyoung
Major: Law
Year: 4th Year Senior
Favorite American food: “My favorite local food is turkey. It was great! We don’t have turkey food in Korea.”
New hobbies/interests: “Being in a shooting club was a really good experience. I really loved it. Watching sports is my new hobby, too. I didn’t know it was such a fun thing!”
Haeun Jeong
Major: Double major in International Regional Studies and Social Welfare Year: Senior
Favorite American food: “I love Chick-fil-A, tacos, and Lucky Charms!!!”
New hobbies/interests: “In Korea, I only drank iced americanos at cafes, but since coming to the U.S., I’ve been asking my friends about their favorite drinks and challenging myself to try different ones!”
Haeun Lee
Major: Business with a minor in Film
Making
Year: 4th Year Senior Favorite American food: “It might sound funny, but mashed potatoes are my favorite food. The first time I tried them at Alpha, I fell in love with them, and even now, I make sure to eat them whenever they’re served for lunch or dinner.”
New hobbies/interests: “When I came here, I discovered that there are so many sporting events to watch. Since I’ve always been interested in sports, I started attending various games. Over time, I fell in love with the excitement of watching live sports, and it has become a new hobby for me. I plan to continue attending games when I return to Korea as well. I also tried Zumba for the first time here, and it was so much fun! I think I attended almost every session except for two. I would love to do it every day!”
Beholding
Your Bestie at Westy!
Alpha is 60!
Alpha Hall was constructed in 1964 to fill the rising need for undergraduate housing at Grace College and Seminary. The hall, originally a men’s dorm, was converted into a women’s residence hall in 1966! (The year also marked the opening of the ‘good’-est hall on campus.) The legacy of Alpha Women has become one that ripples throughout Grace’s history. Alpha has been the on-campus home to thousands of women who are now leaders in business, education, STEM, the arts and the faith. Our traditions (e.g., “Alpha For Life” and “Alpha Female Week”) have stood the test of time and created a culture that not only celebrates Alpha but celebrates the women on Grace’s campus.
It is an honor to lead in Alpha in our 60th year and to celebrate the resounding impact Alpha Women have had on Grace’s campus and Alpha Hall culture. I have met countless alumni, from recent Grace graduates to Golden Grads who lived in brand new Alpha, who are overflowing with stories, memories, and joys regarding their time in Alpha (and all of them always remember exactly their room number and how to get there). I am struck by the legacy Alpha has in Grace’s history.
I am entering my sixth year living in Alpha Hall (Alpha For Life!) and it is difficult to put to words what Alpha Hall means to me. What does Alpha represent in my life? Growth. Leadership. Mentorship. Peace. Fun. Girlhood. Wisdom. Alpha Hall represents to me the space and time in my life I was able to figure out how I fit in the world and who I want to be. Because of Alpha, I found a community of women that has grown alongside me in faith and in life (now
it’s just a little harder to get together than saying ‘I’ll meet you in the lobby!’) We often joke in Alpha that ‘wisdom is a woman!’, which is true in the book of Proverbs, in Alpha Hall and in my life.
The wise women of Alpha Hall, both the residents and the leadership I encountered in undergrad, helped build up the version of myself that walked across the stage at graduation. Every hello, every friendship, every late-night giggle. Each real and deep conversation about God, life, and home I had as an undergraduate Alpha Female helped me grow in wisdom and understanding about who God made me to be.
Proverbs says that the “wisest of women builds her house.” I am honored to live in a house built by the wise women who have come before me, and to be granted the honor of continuing to build up a house that I know is founded on wisdom and truth.
Alpha culture is one of joy, kindness, and support for one another. My hope and prayer as the Resident Director in Alpha this, our sixtieth year, is that God will continue to build up Alpha around the women of Grace College and make this house a fun place to live and lead for all students, where wise women teach wise women.
Alpha For Life,
Bailey Gagnon Resident Director of Alpha
Hall
Tribute to
program, and I am incredibly thankful I was able to be taught by the best!”
Luke Rosebrook
Dr. Roger Stichter
After 28 years of faithful and dedicated service, Dr. Roger Stichter is retiring from his full-time faculty role at Grace College at the end of this academic year. Dr. Stichter leaves behind a legacy that has shaped the lives and careers of countless students. Since joining Grace in 1997, Dr. Stichter has been the driving force behind elevating the accounting program, growing it nearly fivefold and establishing it as one of the college’s most respected academic offerings. Under his leadership, Grace’s accounting students consistently achieved top CPA exam pass rates, serving as a true testament to his commitment to academic excellence.
Over the years, Dr. Stichter’s teaching has been marked by demonstrating how faith drives our ethical decision-making, as we serve God each day in our chosen profession. One of his current students (Payton Reilly) shared that she appreciated his daily devotionals in class. She explained, “Coming into college, I wasn’t really sure how I would bring my faith into a job atmosphere like the one in accounting, but Dr. Stichter continues to show us different ways every day that we can make this a reality.”
“Professor Stichter has been the most impactful Christian influence in my education. But more than grades, he cares about the character we build as we center our lives in Christ. Thank you, Dr. Stichter, for your constant dedication and the example you have set for your students!”
Dr. Stichter’s approach to teaching is driven by his relationships with his students. He is highly intentional about making students feel known and valued each day he enters the classroom. He has simultaneously taught his students the importance of having a deep faith, high integrity, and a commitment to excellence while providing practical preparation for future careers. He has maintained close relationships with many of his former students, including sending monthly emails and finding creative ways to connect with many of his former students.
As Dr. Stichter transitions into a half-time role next year, he will seek to complete his career at Grace following the 2025-2026 academic year. Dr. Stichter’s influence on the accounting community, Grace College, and generations of alumni will be felt for the decades ahead.
Dr. Roberts Provost & Professor of Behavior Science
Alex Zieske
“I’ve never doubted that Dr. Stichter cares about his students, their achievements, and how he can best equip them for their careers after graduation. Through his wisdom on career advice and daily devotionals before every lecture, Stichter has always displayed care and encouragement for his students to succeed. Stichter has grown a community within the degree that I am beyond thankful for and has allowed me to look at my upcoming career opportunities from an honest and hopeful perspective.”
Grace Mitchell
“I have loved having Stichter as an advisor as well as a professor! He has always provided such great support through all of the resources he has put together in the accounting department. But even more than that, I appreciate how he brings God into the classroom and cares about his students, even inviting all of us accounting majors to his home for a cookout. I will be sad to see him go!”
Taylor Albert
“Thank you so much for being an excellent role model of what it looks like to take our faith into the accounting profession and live it out as good stewards of the Lord. I’ve always appreciated your authenticity and the way you shared the importance of staying true to your beliefs during challenging circumstances, both at work and in your personal life. Enjoy retirement!”
Ethan Vande Werken
Thank you, Dr. Stitcher, for the joy and humor that you bring to the classroom and the real care that you show for your students. I can certainly say that you have impacted the course of my life for the better! Thank you!
Issac Reynolds
Go Encounters
adventures on spring & winter
beak!
Students at Grace College get to experience diverse cultural immersion every winter, spring, and summer break on Go Encounter trips. Groups of students and trip leaders take flight in all directions around the world. Katie Lawrence, a thirdyear student, has experienced several cultures through the Go Encounter program. Through these opportunities she has developed a broader worldview and has a greater appreciation for cultural differences!
Interview with Katie Lawrence:
Justine: What Go Encounter trips have you been on? Which one was your favorite?
Katie: I have been to Australia/New Zealand, Germany/Switzerland, and Ireland. All have been phenomenal. However, my favorite of the three trips was probably the Australia/ New Zealand one—I loved all the activities, my leaders, and the group of students I traveled with.
Justine: What were some of your favorite activities and experiences during these trips?
Katie: In Australia, I snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, which was amazing.
And then in New Zealand, we went on the steepest hike up a mountain in the woods I’ve ever been on. But once we made it to the top, it opened up to this incredible view of snowcapped mountains all around us. The best views come after the hardest climbs! In Ireland, we just circled the whole island, touring all the hot spots in a motor coach bus. We started in Dublin, made our way around the country, and even crossed the border into the United Kingdom.
Justine: What was the biggest cultural difference you noticed?
Katie: In Ireland, religion was the biggest difference I noticed. The Catholic/ Protestant divide was very definitive. God showed me that He works just as much there and in other parts of the world just as much as He does in America. This broadened my view of how God is working throughout the world. Rest is also taken very seriously there. Meals last for several hours, and work is more broken up throughout the day than in the States. People also enjoy the outdoors all the time with their kids. They really just have a more balanced lifestyle overall.
Justine: How did traveling change your perspective on life and diverse cultures?
Katie: My trip leader, Alicia Meyer, mentioned something that resonated with me in Ireland: “We’re all created in the image of God and can see more image bearers the more places we go.” Whether that is different cultures, lifestyles, or beliefs, seeing people live differently has helped shape my view about people and appreciate their differences.
Justine: What advice would you give students going on their first Go Encounter experience?
Katie: The first thing that comes to mind is as cliche as it seems: just sign up and go. You will grow and make connections. Just acknowledge that the plane ride, interactions, and other unknowns will be intimidating, but it is all worth it in the end. Also, being led by someone puts you outside of your comfort zone and stretches you as a person.
Unique Chapels
Goin’ to the chapel and we`re gonna get praisin’!
Three days a week, every week, students have the opportunity to attend chapel throughout the school year. On a typical day of chapel, there is student-led worship and a message delivered by a speaker. But every once in a while, students experience unique chapel services that look a little different from the normal routine. These range from hall skits to throwing snowball papers with prayer requests to staying up through the wee hours of the night in pajamas at the MOCC, anything for chapel credit in the minds of Grace College students. More than just for credit, though, these special chapel services sprinkled throughout the year provide a little extra fun for students as they look forward to them as well as regular chapel services each week!
Hall T-Shirt Chapel
Each residence hall performs studentorganized skits for a set of judges and the rest of the student body for hall t-shirt chapel. Whichever hall wins the best skit gets the honor of hoisting the giant plush fish in their place of residence for an entire year. Beta Hall brought the fish home with them as the winner of the 2024 T-Shirt Chapel!
Day of Worship
Once per semester, all daytime classes are canceled to allow time for a three-hour chapel service and other faith-centered events that are held all day throughout campus. This allows students to spend intentional time in reflection with the Lord and have impactful conversations with fellow students about how God is working in their lives. Throughout the day, there are many opportunities to worship in song, testimony, and prayer.
Midnight Chapel
A laid-back service (at-you guessed it—midnight) once a semester, where students come in their PJs and lay blankets on the floor to sit together. This chapel provides a normal service but almost fourteen hours later in the day.
Conference on Mission,
Students get to meet and hear from missionaries from all over the world, allowing for potential summer mission opportunities and internships. Missionaries visit Growth Groups, where students can get to them more personally and hear their testimony. During this busy week, students also get to experience underground church late at night, which gives them an idea of how missionaries must live undercover in countries where the gospel is prohibited.
Student Seminars
Students have the chance to each host their own chapel session by speaking about a topic they are passionate about and want to share with their peers. Other students can then hear their friends talk about faith-centered subjects and engage in planned activities.
Christmas Chapel
A celebratory event every year that marks the end of the fall semester into Christmas break with a fun variation of Christmas songs, holiday decor, and staff-led entertainment. This chapel service is much anticipated throughout the year and gets students hyped about the reason for the season.
The New Theme Chapel
The final service of the year that reveals the following year’s chapel theme, shown through a promotional video. This past year’s theme (2024-25) was “Humility Reigns,” based on the books of 1 & 2 Samuel, and the video was created by Marcos Navarro and Aaron Winey. The final chapel of each year reveals one of Grace’s best-kept secrets: the new campus theme for the next school year.
Supermarket Sweep! Supermarket Sweep! chaos! allsmiles:)
ALL MAKE WAY—GRACE COLLEGE SWEEPS THE MARKET! Every year, chaos strikes at the Warsaw Kroger. Each hall on campus cleans out the store of baby items, canned goods, pre-packaged goods, and other non-perishable food products to donate to food pantries and local organizations. For several years, goods have gone to Combined Community Services of Warsaw, Salvation Army and Heartline Pregnancy Center. Warsaw Schools was a new recipient in 2025. This year, a recordbreaking total of $41,094.96 was spent throughout the day, and Grace students spent a record $24,737.33 in just one hour of shopping. To add to the excitement, each
growth group leader (GGL) plans a dressup theme, decorates their grocery cart, and then brings their hyped-up hall in all their glory. Some of this year’s hall themes were Despicable Me, The Smurfs, and Captain Underpants. Throughout the event, hall residents could play mini-games as a chance to win more money for their hall’s budget. To vamp up the competition, some halls organize fundraiser events throughout the year to get a head start in the race. Events like “Beta is Cooked” and “Just Dance Boogie Woogie” were coordinated by GGLs this year in preparation for Supermarket Sweep.
The unbridled joy that Alpha girls give each other each time they see each other makes me feel seen and appreciated.
- Catie Marks
I love living in Alpha! All the girls have such kind hearts and everyone is welcomed in Alpha!
- Madi McCune
Alpha
The bathroom XD It’s nice to not have to share a bathroom with 7+ people. I love how sweet and caring the RAs and GGLs are! They always have a smile on their faces and want to actually get to know us. I also love the community here; everyone is super kind and we do everything together.
- Iris Gallegos
The community is TOP TIER.
- Sarah Tokpa
LodgeI love how much camaraderie we have here. Even if we don’t hang out often together, I know that my hall mates will always greet me with a dap up and a smile.
- Isaac Major
OmegaNot only do I love the community and how close everyone is, but the amount of locations students can hang out in. Whether it’s the upstairs lobby, downstairs lobby, the theater room, or conference room, we all come together for fun and fellowship. If all the lobbies are filled, the hallway becomes our lobby! :)
- Brandon Rader
TheApartments
I love the cozy feel of Gamma and the small community we’ve created. Plus our top-tier fire pit is great for friends and hall get-togethers.
- Grace May (Gamma)
WestyIt's cozy.
- Lily Demeter
I love having my own living space and being able to have a place where I can relax and learn more practical life skills!
- Carter DeVoe (Kent)
I love the 7 other girls I live with so much! Our community and fellowship is an incredible opportunity to dive deeper with the Lord and with one another. We get the opportunity to practice cooking and cleaning, like real “adults”! It’s a blast and has taught me so much.
- Ana Freeman (Lofts)
I love the community of women that watch out for each other and take care of each other from Westy.
- Avery Williams
The brotherhood.
- Joshua Borrousch
What makes Beta very special is our environment and how different we are from the other dorms! Beta is special because of the brotherly bond and the relationships we all have! Without Beta, we all would not be anything and we may be viewed differently! Beta has brought all of us together!
- Kamrin Wilson
Humility Reigns
Humility is a total dependence on God.
Have you ever had to wait for something? Waiting is part of everyday life as a student - for that employer to get back to you about that internship, for that professor to post final grades, for your turn to get food in Alpha. The more appropriate question may be, “What have you had to wait for recently?’
This year in chapel, we have been studying the books of 1 and 2 Samuel while focusing on the theme Humility Reigns. Throughout the books, when a character acts in humility or pride it is usually in the context of waiting: Hannah acts humbly by prayerfully waiting on God to provide her with a son. David acts humbly by not killing Saul, waiting for God to judge him. Saul acts pridefully when he does not wait for Samuel to arrive and makes an illegitimate sacrifice.
Humility is a total dependence on God. Students have been challenged to act humbly by waiting on God and by doing His will. While this may seem like a daunting task especially in today’s pride-driven culture, students have been encouraged to look to Jesus. Jesus serves as the perfect example of humility as He humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. We are invited to imitate His example in how we follow Him and love others.
The theme verse for this year’s theme is 1 Samuel 2:7: “He humbles and He exalts.” Humility is important not only for how we live, but also for how we relate to a perfect Father. We can draw near to Him, not on our merit but on Christ’s, and that should be the most humbling truth of all.
Jabon Butler Coordinator of Chapel
This year in chapel, we have been studying the books of 1 and 2 Samuel while focusing on the theme Humility Reigns.
MakeChristKnown!
Belonging 3
Sophomore Mugging
I scream, you scream, sophomores scream for ice cream!
Every year, second-year students have the opportunity near the start of the semester to gather down at the Village for an ice cream social in a custom Grace mug provided by the Student Senate. Grace College has partnered with Social for the second year for this event.
This year’s Sophomore Mugging had a total of 200 students show up for a mug with the new Grace logo on it and a scoop of Social’s creamy goodness that comes in a wide variety of flavors. This provided the chance for sophomores to not only gather with their friends but also to meet others in their class in an off-campus setting. As the sun set at its golden hour in the cool of the evening, this bustling event made for an exciting student hangout including some of their FYE faculty mentors!
This
provided the chance for sophomores to not only gather with their friends but also to meet others in their class in an off-campus setting.
GIP Champion GIP Champion
Justine: Why do you play with GIP?
The Grace Intramural Program (GIP) provides a flexible way for students to engage in student-organized sports on campus with their peers. This program includes basketball, volleyball, soccer, flag football, kickball events, pickleball tournaments, and much more. Kayden Graber, a multi-sport GIP champion and GIP officer, shares his experience in playing Grace intramural sports as a free-time hobby after high school for the past few years. Through this program, Kayden has enjoyed playing the sports he loves while meeting other students with similar interests.
Justine: What do you enjoy most about GIP?
Kayden: The simplest answer is that I enjoy it. I’ve always enjoyed competing whether that’s in a basketball game or playing euchre with friends. GIP gives students a platform to channel their competitiveness in a wide variety of sports. I also like how laid-back intramurals can be. Playing high school sports, I would often get frustrated with how controlled they were and how players often lacked freedom. With intramurals, you can build a team and play however you want.
Kayden: The first thing that comes to mind is the camaraderie that goes along with intramurals. Playing with others on a team builds a sense of community with your teammates that is hard to replicate. Spending time and competing with these teammates and friends is something that I will miss when I graduate.
Justine: What sports have you played with GIP?
Kayden: I have played just about every sport that GIP has. I think that’s why I started working with GIP; I was going to be at every event anyway so I might as well help out and get paid something. The only one that I abstain from is soccer. I have played one-half of an intramural soccer game and permanently retired. I draw the line on sports that I can’t use my hands.
Justine: How many game championship shirts have you accumulated?
Justine: Have you made any friendships through GIP that you wouldn’t have otherwise?
Kayden: Definitely. I can think of a number of people who I regularly play basketball or volleyball with that I wouldn’t have known otherwise. Now, when I walk into the GHAWC when intramurals are going on, there are very few people in the entire gym that I don’t know or haven’t talked to. In fact, there was one instance where the first time I talked to someone was to ask them to be on my intramural volleyball team. We’ve now played (and won) multiple seasons together on the same team.
Justine: How do you think intramural sports contribute to the campus or community atmosphere?
Kayden: Wow, that’s a good question. To be honest, I stopped keeping track sometime last year. In my three years of intramural sports, I have been pretty lucky when it comes to the tournaments. I have won hall basketball, competitive basketball, outdoor basketball, late-night volleyball, hall volleyball, competitive volleyball (twice), spikes night (twice), wiffleball, kickball, the co-ed pickleball tournament (twice), and men’s pickleball tournament. There were probably some more small, random tournaments but that’s what I can think of. We’ve joked about making a GIP hall-of-fame, and I’d like to think I would be inducted if it ever existed.
Justine: What is your favorite memory?
Kayden: There are several moments that come to mind but the most rewarding was a basketball game last year. Our team had been up and down in the regular season with a couple of bad losses. When the tournament came around, we made it to the championship against a team that hadn’t lost and had already beaten us by thirty points in the regular season. We ended up beating them in an extremely hard-fought game which was a blast to play in.
Kayden: I think it is a great way to get people connected on campus. I know that it helped me as a freshman find other people who had similar interests and hobbies as I did. Intramurals also create a great break for students who have been busy with schoolwork to just have fun and compete.
Justine: What would you say to someone considering joining an intramural team?
Kayden: What’s stopping you? The purpose of intramurals is to have fun. You can take intramurals as seriously (or unseriously) as you want. Join a team, try it out and if you don’t enjoy it, it didn’t cost you a thing.
Kayden Graber
You never know what you’re going to find in the backpacks of students at Grace College. It is much more than just a textbook, laptop, notebooks, and some pens/ pencils. Depending on a student’s major, what they carry around with them can range from stethoscopes to exacto knives to protractors and even chicken salt—the essentials as Grace students. Sometimes, the items are not always school-related but still reflect various majors. Get some new ideas for some convenient and fun items to bring with you by checking out what fellow students carry in their backpacks and how they differ depending on their major!
What's Question: Your Bag? in
Lydia Filpus
Major: Digital Communication
Backpack items:
• Computer
• Sketch pad
• Textbooks
• Pencil pouch
• Camera SD cards
• Camera bag
• Gum
• Water bottle
• Protein bars
• Portable charger
• Bible
• Stapler
Noah Hodge
Major: Computer Science
Messenger bag items:
• Plenty of pens and pencils
• Highlighters that might not have had their caps removed
• At least two key chain lanterns
• A letter opener that has never been used
• Some "Hello, my name is" badges
• Plenty of lightning chargers (despite being an avid Android user), one USB-C charger, and one charging block
Ella Stark
Major: Nursing
Backpack items:
• School supplies
• Meds
• Penlight
• Stethoscope
• Blood pressure cuff
PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES are all great, effective forms of transportation. But at Grace College, they aren’t great for our small campus. Instead, our students go to classes, grab meals and get from one place to another using various simple, creative forms of transportation. Longboarding, biking, and even rollerblading have risen in popularity with our students, among many other practical ways of getting around campus. Check out the time it takes our students to get from one place to another at Grace College using these fun methods of transportation!
Students on the Go! Rollerblades
Longboard
Brock Lengacher
Pace: 1.5 minutes from Indy to Alpha
Major: Counseling
Hometown: Smithville, OH
Max Boruvka
Pace: 20 seconds from Indy to Westy
Major: Education
Hometown: Wadsworth, OH
Trinity Casado
Pace: 3 minutes from Alpha to Mount Memorial
Major: Biblical Studies and Intercultural Studies
Hometown: Gilberts, IL
Xander Rice
Pace: 15 seconds from Omega to Jazzbucks
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Warsaw, IN
Car
Raigan King
Pace: 3-5 minutes from Omega to MOCC
Major: Visual Communication Design
Hometown: Smithville, OH
Emily Heeringa
Pace: 1.5 minutes from Alpha to Mount Memorial
Major: Visual Communication Design
Hometown: Chillicothe, OH
Bike
Jessica Kifer
Pace: 2 or 3 minutes from Westy to McClain
Major: Visual Communication Design
Hometown: Manassas, VA
Noah Cox
Pace: 4 minutes from Beta to GHAWC
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Braden Fansler
Pace: 20 seconds from Alpha Dining to Science Center
Major: Finance
Hometown: Chelsea, MI
Scooter
Norah Beeman
Pace: 4 minutes from Omega to GHAWC
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Owen County, IN
Walk
Ella Matthysse
Pace: 3 minutes from Kent to Philathea
Major: Digital Marketing
Hometown: Crown Point, IN
Chloe Schoonover
Pace: 5 minutes from Lofts to Morgan Library
Major: International Business
Hometown: Kendallville, IN
Pickleball
Joust! the
OFF TO THE RACES!
Every year in April, the Joust becomes the Grace College buzz as events occur across campus. Students com pete in various events organized by Student Involvement over the course of four days. A lot of planning, hard work, and creativity go into this process through the dedicated coordinators of Student Involvement. Having done it for the past three years, Bianca Jimenez-Ortiz (Student Body President and First-Gen Coordinator) shares a bit of the behind-the-scenes of what it looks like to plan this major, fun event every year!
Green team wins!
JV Sports JV Sports
FULL OF ACTION & ENDLESS EXCITEMENT FOR LANCER NATION!
Grace College’s JV athletics allow students to play organized sports against other colleges with a less demanding time commitment than varsity athletics. Ethan Fynewever, a third year student, reflects on his experience with the JV soccer team this past season. It was one full of thrills, learning curves, and momentous moments for the team. Learn more about what makes JV sports special through his experiences.
Justine: Why did you decide to play soccer in college?
Ethan: I’ve played soccer my whole life—started in elementary and played through high school. I was just ready for another level of competition. JV is a step above intramural but not quite the commitment of varsity.
Justine: How do you balance your schedule?
Ethan: It’s a commitment but not too much. It starts up after the first couple of weeks into the school year and runs through October. It’s only two practices and one game a week. Sometimes when I don’t have anything else going on, I’ll just go out to the field with some of the guys and shoot around.
Justine: What is your favorite moment from this season?
Ethan: We played Goshen in our first game, and they beat us 2-0, scoring the last two goals within the last ten minutes. The last time we played them, though, we beat them 5-3. It was intense, we were neck-and-neck the whole game.
Justine: What’s the best advice a coach or teammate gave you this year?
Ethan: My coach, Austin Altimus, gave me a piece of advice during one of our more stressful games. He pulled me aside and told me, “Don’t put all the pressure on yourself, just go out there and be an athlete.” It was important for me not to think too much about everything, so that I could still have fun playing the game with my team.
Justine: How would you describe your team’s bond and chemistry?
Ethan: We only play with each other two or three times a week, so we don’t spend all our time together. But we still have a lot of connection on our team. It’s a whole different group of guys than I would normally hang out with, so it’s been fun getting to know them. Even during the off-season, we still have a group chat to go play together whenever we want.
Justine: What was the biggest challenge you faced this season, and how did you overcome it?
Ethan: We had a lot of seniors graduate last year, so we were a pretty young team this season. Bethel is a really difficult team to play against. They recruit players who come on scholarship. They beat us a handful of times. We never completely beat them this year but continued to make improvements as a team. The second game against them ended 2-0, which was great for us. Even though we still lost, it felt really good to play well.
Justine: “Does your team have any pre-game rituals or traditions?”
Ethan: We always gather in a circle and pray together. And then I initiate our cheer, “One, two, three, Grace!”
Justine: What advice would you give to incoming JV athletes?
Ethan: Just go have fun. Enjoy yourself, your team, and the flexibility that JV athletics offers. Love your sport for your sport.
Kelly Sharp
GRACE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT OFFICE MANAGER
After almost two decades of dedicated service to Grace College and its athletic department, Kelly Sharp, long-time office manager, is retiring. Her contributions to our student-athletes, coaches, and community have been a blessing for many years. As I reflect on the years that Kelly has devoted to Grace College, it is hard to imagine our department without her.
When Kelly joined the athletic department in 2007, she became an integral art of the ministry. Whether it was assisting coaches with facilities, officials, transportation, managing eligibility, game day preparations, or offering to pray with an athlete, Kelly’s impact was felt in every corner of our department. She was more than just an office manager; she was a guiding force that ensured things ran smoothly and seamlessly, even when the pace was hectic.
What set Kelly apart was her unwavering commitment to Grace College’s mission. She didn’t just work for the athletic department; she worked for the students we serve. Her dedication to creating an environment where student-athletes felt supported was evident in everything she did. Kelly ensured that each student’s needs were met both on and off the field of competition. She became a trusted confidant to our athletes, coaches, and staff—always ready to offer support, advice, or simply a piece of candy when things got tough.
Kelly’s attention to detail and organizational skills were unmatched. Many of the tasks that came with managing an athletic department could easily overwhelm anyone, but Kelly was able to juggle it all with grace and efficiency. Whether it was coordinating travel for teams, handling budgets, or keeping track of funds, Kelly’s efforts made life easier for everyone around her. Her ability to anticipate needs before they arose made her invaluable to us all.
It’s not just her work ethic that we’ll miss, but also her kindness and generosity. Kelly’s warm personality and positivity created a welcoming atmosphere in our office. She always had a smile on her face, was a friend to everyone, and a mentor to many. Her influence extended far beyond her administrative responsibilities—she helped point people to Christ through her work and helped shape the culture of our athletic department in a way that will leave a lasting legacy.
On behalf of the entire Grace College athletic department, we thank Kelly for her years of service. While we will miss her dearly, we wish her all the best in her retirement. Grace College and its athletic department will forever be better because of her work. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, Kelly—we thank the Lord for you!
Chad Briscoe Director of Athletics
The Men’s Basketball team won the Crossroads League regular season and earned their fourth straight Crossroads League tournament title.
Men’s Tennis won its third straight Crossroads League regular-season and postseason tournament titles. It has also been ranked in the NAIA all year.
GraceAthletics
Volleyball won the 2024 NCCAA National Championship, the team’s second straight national title.
Women’s Soccer posted an impressive 13-4-2 record with a young squad.
Women’s Golf won their second national championship, claiming the 2024 NCCAA crown in Florida.
In loving memory of Ashley Flowers— beloved student mentor, friend and future educator.
July 3, 2004 — Febuary 19, 2025
One of my favorite memories was when Ashley and I would make Cat Cafe trips. Ashley loved cats and I did too. It was one of our first times hanging out one-on-one and I learned so much about her life. She was so real with me about everything which made our friendship stronger. We spent that entire day in Fort Wayne going to every shop imaginable and, of course, ended the day on a slushie run (a tradition of ours). I will always remember this trip because of how bright she was that day, how confident she was in herself, and how confident she was in my ability to grow and learn, even though I was not confident in myself. She pushed me to be the person I am in everything I do and I am so thankful to have these memories with her.
Riley Ash
SM 24-25, SMC 25-26
I had the privilege and honor to work as Ashley’s supervisor for two years. Ashley was not one who slowed down, as she had things to accomplish! Each year we had our training retreat, and everyone would have some free time to go explore the Lodge grounds at the retreat center we rented. The first year she came in from exploring with a handful of flowers and gave them to me saying she picked these for me and had to because her last name was Flowers. It was the most touching gesture, and my heart overflowed the next year when she approached me with another handful of flowers, and with her signature grin and sparkle in her eyes she said again, “my last name is Flowers, and I just had to give you some.” I still have both bouquets in my office. You have left a lasting impression on this program, Ashley.
Chasity Lucio Director of Student Success & First Year Experience
One of my favorite memories of Ashley was when we were at Pizza Hut, and she told me her life story. She was so positive and optimistic about everything she had been through and she gave all the glory to God despite her struggles.
Grace Runyan SM 23-24
While my interactions with Ashley were few, I still remember our freshmen year when we had a dinner together. We talked and laughed over the fact that we were both from Illinois and heavily disliked it. I remember her poking fun at the fact that neither of us was from Chicago, although everyone we ran into who found we were from Illinois just assumed we were from the Windy City. We met at a time freshman year when we were all figuring out this college thing, especially in the department of friendships. While we both eventually found our place in friend groups and such, I still remember that dinner in Alpha Dining by the big TV and feeling like it was a total God thing that we were both there at that moment. She had a way to make anyone comfortable around her, and I was blessed to have experienced that.
Kiara Wolland SM 23-24
Ashley: what a joy it was to be known by her. Every time she saw me she was sure to ask how I was and listened. She cared, she heard me, and she loved me. I went to Night to Shine in Warsaw, and I could not get over her dress! She was (and always has been) GORGEOUS! But inside that beautiful woman was a kind, caring, and loving person. Her personality lit up the room no matter if she knew anyone. She will be missed, but NEVER forgotten.
Kayla Crowder SM 23-24
