Alumni Spotlight
Cherie (McDaniel) Griepp ’78
Major: Elementary Education
When I think of Evangel, Psalms 37:23 comes to mind, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way." (NKJV)
I remember my reason for coming to Evangel—my Dad saying to me, “Just try it for a year. If you don’t like it, you can go somewhere else.” He had just accepted a pastorate in the Midwest a week before I was to start college and that move changed my whole education plan.
Not knowing much about Evangel, and sight unseen, we drove to the campus in the fall of ’75. Before we arrived on campus that day, we decided to get something to eat. Not knowing anything about Springfield, we ended up at Piccadilly Cafeteria in the Battlefield Mall. As it happened, Rick (’79), from South Dakota, and his family were in the same line ahead of us. Our dads struck up a conversation, and both shared how they were taking their kids to Evangel. Rick and I never said a word but would later begin dating and eventually marry after my graduation. Even the first day, God was directing my steps.
At Evangel, I majored in Elementary Education and also was part of the work/study program, working in the Security Office for Chief Thomlinson. Both school and work provided learning experiences that have become priceless today. Oh, the stories I could tell! There was never a moment I wanted to leave or transfer elsewhere.
After graduating in three years, I became the first full-time secretary for the Security Office while Rick finished his studies. Upon his graduating, we settled in Springfield and I began teaching second grade in Marionville, Mo.
In the “real’ world, I realized what it was to put your faith in action. Not only did Evangel equip me for teaching, it had strengthened me spiritually…to see the ‘mission field’ before me. Here were small bright-eyed faces that came from such diversified backgrounds and many just needing an encourager in their life.
When our Children were born, I chose to stay home and give them a good start. I kept teaching Sunday School and continued to be involved in our church music program.
For the past six years, I’ve returned to teaching in Springfield by way of substituting. I’m currently in my second year as the permanent sub at Disney Elementary. Although a full-time position hasn’t materialized yet, I again feel my steps being ordered, for I’m able to come in contact with so many more kids than I would in just one classroom.
Today, our son, Nathan, attends EU where he’s studying Biblical Studies / Government, and plays football, like his dad did. Our daughter Alyssa (16) will start the year he graduates; and knowing Autumn (10) she’ll want to be a Crusader also, although she’s hoping for women’s soccer to appear.
Rick and I, along with others, helped start the Blitz Club, a booster organization for EU football, and most Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find us hanging banners at the stadium, or watching the game. We’re also involved with Evangel's Family and Friends organization, and Chief Thomlinson still calls me in the fall to help with car registration, a talent you apparently never lose, I guess.
Now I have the privilege of being on the Alumni Board and helping the Evangel cause in another way.
Who knew back in 1975, when my dad said I only had to try Evangel for a year, that I would still be tied to Evangel heart and soul, and loving every minute of it? God did!