Focus: Family & Friends - Spring 2008

“Association of EU Family & Friends” looking back, looking ahead with Julie Higgins

It is exciting to be a part of Evangel, watching visions and dreams come true one building at a time.

Alumni, family and friends from across the country gathered on Friday, Oct. 12, for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ralph M. Riggs Administration Building. The enthusiasm of the crowd grew as homecoming festivities progressed.

Football players who toughed it out on the turf for Evangel over the past 30 years were honored this year. The camaraderie they shared set the stage for the Homecoming Banquet speaker, Denny Duron. Saturday night, as Denny reminisced about his days at Evangel, the banquet hall filled with laughter and fond memories of our experiences during that time.

I always look forward to my annual visit with friends, but seeing and visiting with those football players was a highlight of this year’s homecoming.

Why not plan now to attend Homecoming 2008 where we will celebrate 50 years of basketball. We invite all players and fans to reunite for a weekend of festivities.

Speaking of basketball, Coach Steve Jenkins continues to guide our men’s team to championships; this year they won the Heart of America Conference championship and made it to the NAIA-II National Tournament in Branson!

Adopt a student

Through Evangel’s Family & Friends student hospitality program, dozens of families opened their hearts and homes to Evangel students by hosting them throughout the school year.

This year we hosted three students—two girls and a boy—whom we are delighted to see each week. My original thought was “how could we make our home a blessing for these students?” In actuality, the students have been a wonderful blessing to our entire family!

Because of the recent floods, one of our “adopted” students wasn’t able to travel to her home for Easter. We were glad that Rachel felt comfortable to spend Easter weekend with us. We always have great visits, and our children look forward to our students’ visits as much as our students look forward to coming over to do their laundry and get home-cooked meals.

You can host a student during the school year and experience the blessings of having them in your home, by going to www.evangel.edu and searching the word: Hospitality.

EU Prep

Evangel’s prep organization is for elementary through high school students who are interested in learning more about the University.

The young guests stay overnight with college hosts where they get to tour the campus and learn about college life. Early friendships are established among the young students as they gather in The Joust. Plans are made for the future as they stay in the dorms and play basketball on the courts.

If you know of a child who would like to be a part of EU Prep, you can sign them up online and let their adventure begin.

Spiritual Life

Throughout the school year, Family & Friends members hear current students’ viewpoints of happenings at Evangel at the student-parent relations committee meetings.

It thrilled me to hear what Andrew Carico, student body president, had to say about Evangel’s Spiritual Emphasis Week last fall. He commented that it was like no other, and he felt many students deepened their relationship with the Lord. This is just one facet of Evangel that truly sets the University apart from others.

The leadership, faculty and campus are first class. Evangel teaches students to call upon God and empowers them to further their walk with the Lord.

It is an honor to be a part of Evangel, training leaders to impact the future.

Julie Higgins, AEUFF President

Muriel Denton, EUA president, shares the wonderful happenings of the Auxiliary

Evangel University Auxiliary 2008 officers are (standing) Donna Trower, Shirley Shedd, Jeanine Bartels, Sandra Sutton, Judy Rockafellow, Lillian Byers. Seated are Muriel Denton, EUA president, and Anne Spence, Evangel’s “First Lady.”

Ninety people attended our annual Valentine’s Dinner on Feb. 18 and were entertained by members of the University Jazz Band under the direction of Matt Warner, assistant professor of music.

We were challenged by Kay Logsdon, director of foodchannel.com, as she shared some of the opportunities she has had in various vocational positions. She visited Springfield with her parents as a young girl, and at an early age the Lord placed a desire in her heart to attend Evangel. She graduated in 1977.

The February treasurer’s report stated that by January 31, 2008, we had raised $56,091 toward our $100,000 project goal for the Heritage Room in the new Ralph M. Riggs Administration Building.

Our annual Chocoholic Sale was a huge success. God gave us much favor as we netted $755.50. Thank you to everyone who made baked goods or gave a monetary donation, as well as to the helpers on the day of the sale.

In March, we were hosted by the CBC auxiliary for our annual joint meeting. The fellowship was delightful, and our speaker was Dr. Beth Grant, the chairperson of AG Women in Ministry Task Force Project Rescue, U.S. Liaison.

Our annual Colossal Gigantic Garage Sale will be held May 7-10, with preparation beginning Friday, May 2, at 1 p.m. (following graduation).
Last year’s event raised more than $13,500. Plan now to set aside the items you want to donate. Let’s make this the grandest sale ever!

The EU Auxiliary gained 26 new members this school year. We meet the third Monday of each month. Perhaps you have a local friend who supports our Assemblies of God liberal arts university. Why not invite her as your guest to our next meeting?

“The world is blessed most by women who do things...”
J. Oliver

One high point of “move-in weekend” is the Sunday morning convocation. Dr. David Stair, athletics director, and more than a hundred faculty and staff members pray with the new students at the conclusion of the service.

Hundreds of volunteers from the student body, faculty, staff and area churches help our students move in to the dorms each August. Chuck Cox, director of alumni relations, enjoys greeting the new parents and exhibiting true servant leadership.

While President Robert H. Spence and the resident assistants of each hall facilitate the move-in process for new students, members of the AUEFF and EUA welcome and serve refreshments to incoming students and their families.