Student Responses
Meet Ally McGowan, strong in Adaptability
Alyson is a Junior from Burgess Hall and a Criminal Justice Major. She is involved on hall council and actively participates on floor Intramurals.
Adaptability has helped her with planning events on her floor and creating a spontaneous and fun atmosphere through Burgess Hall Council. She says that there are last minute problems, but Adaptability allows her to think on her toes without too much stress.
Alyson said that she has moved around a lot throughout her life and has attended four different high schools. Meeting new people is more of an adventure for her instead of a burden. Adaptability has allowed her to make each moment at Evangel memorable. She views strength-based education as a positive attribute in her life that allows her to face daily problems and trials.
Meet Dane Mohrmann, strong in Adaptability
Dane is a senior from Scott Hall. He is currently a Journalism Major and is involved on campus as Manager of the Lance Newspaper, drummer for chapel worship team, and Anchor for Sports Update on ECTV.
Adaptability is a strength he uses every day, from small to large tasks. He says that it is not only strength, but also a required skill as he meets the persistent demands of journalism and hosting Sports Update. “My environment is constantly changing. There is always a cue to hit, a line to deliver, or a question to ask, and using Adaptability helps to keep me on top of the curve-balls that often get thrown my way”.
Dane is able to connect with large groups of people, in which he uses Adaptability to relate to others and develop new relationships. He says that he has learned from Strength-based education and now finds it is easier to recognize and adapt to the strengths of others. His advice is for each Evangel student to learn about their unique personality and let this confidence open up new opportunities for friendship and fun while they are on campus.
Meet Andrew Farmer, strong in Belief
Andrew is a Senior Commuter who is currently studying Film. He is involved on campus as the ECTV Station manager along with the Creative Assistant in the KECC radio station.
Andrew says that belief pushes him to tell a story through film. He notices that people respond to visual images and stories that could possibly be the tools to change a person’s life. He says that his belief strength has allowed him to build relationships with fellow students and professors at Evangel.
Through exploring and learning about his strengths, he has been able to pursue his creative nature and use these God-given skills in his work. His advice is to keep developing your strengths, because God has divinely entrusted us with a unique purpose and plan. He says to ask questions and always keep a learning mentality.
Meet Sarah Malott, strong in Belief
Sarah is a Junior Art Major who lives in Walther Hall. She is currently involved in the Branched Out ballet team.
Sarah says that her Belief strength helps her touch many people’s emotions through her dance team. She deeply believes in her organization of movements as well as the inspiration and reflection of God’s beauty.
Beyond ballet, Sarah uses her Belief strength to not become complacent in her relationship with God. She is encouraged by friends who have a deep faith and are passionate about growing closer to God.
Sarah says that her strong core beliefs guide her in making daily decisions with confidence. She has learned to not compare other’s strengths to her own, but to be inspired by the gifts of her friends.
Meet Griffin McGrath, strong in Competition
Griffin is a Senior in Lewis Hall and is currently pursuing a Communications Degree. He spends his time playing baseball, actively leading in Crosswalk-Discipleship, and is a host of Bed and Breakfast on campus.
His strength of competition pushes him to never settle for anything less than excellence. He desires every floor devotion to be better than the one before and each campus tour to improve. Griffin does not just keep this attitude for himself, but uses Competition to see the good in others and help them strive for their goals.
Griffin learned from strength-based education to spend “less time trying to develop the person I am not, and more time developing the person I am”, he adds, “You are uniquely loved and gifted by God to do good works. So find your gifts and strengths, then you can begin emphasizing and developing the person God created you to be”.
Meet Allison Drewitz, strong in Developer
Allison is a Freshman living in Walther Hall. She is an Intercultural Studies/Broadcasting major who is a member of concert choir, theater, and Cross Walk ministries on campus.
As Discipleship Leader on her floor, Allison uses her Developer strength to encourage people to work through conflict effectively. She believes in working together to solve issues instead of facing them alone.
As Allison partners with others, she notices how people tend to gain confidence as they successfully complete their tasks. For example, helping a friend in the musical learn lines and deliver an excellent performance. She realized she has a deep desire to develop the potential and natural ability she views in others.
Allison says that the Strengths survey helped view herself in a new perspective. Strengths, strong in based education allows her to focus on her gifts instead of her weaknesses. Learning about strengths help her connect with others and live each day to the fullest.
Meet Brittany Sumrall, strong in Empathy
Brittany is a Senior RA in Burgess Hall. She is currently an Advertising and PR Major who takes pictures for the Excalibur yearbook and works in the Student Financial Offices.
Brittany says that Empathy has made a huge impact in her ability to relate to the girls on her floor at a deeper spiritual level. She says, “I hurt when they are hurting and rejoice with them when they are happy”.
Her strength of Empathy is shown through her ability to listen and focus on the needs of other people. She understands that fellow peers and co-workers are not always going to share the same ideas, but that exemplifies the uniqueness of different personalities.
Brittany’s quick tip is to take time to read about the Strengths. She says it might reveal aspects of your personality that are hidden or undeveloped. Also, ask friends and fellow peers about their strengths to know how to react in relationships.
Meet Jessica Griffith, strong in Positivity
Jessica Griffith is a Freshman residing in Burgess Hall. She is currently a Pre-Nursing Major and member of the Crusader Cheer team.
Positivity has helped Jessica in cheerleading as she pumps up the crowd and works hard during long practices. She is able to use her strength to keep high levels of energy, despite killing knees on the sideline!
Jessica uses Positivity to understand the situation of others and encourage them in their pain. She believes that optimism is an important character quality that helps make a difference in the lives of others.
She says that learning about her top five strengths provides an outline of what God has led her to do, and confirmed who she is called to be. Everyone experiences “low” days, but Positivity helps her not be swayed by her circumstances.
Meet Aaron Martinez, strong in Restorative
Aaron is an RA in Krause Hall as well as Senior class Vice-President. He is currently an Advertising/PR major with an interest in multi-cultural studies as he plans to spread God’s truth to the nations.
Aaron uses his Restorative strength to help solve problems as a leader in his hall. This strength also allows him to relate to his friends and strategically restore conflicts. Aaron believes he can find commonality with his friends as he remembers being in the same role as them and the positive and negative ways he coped with the issue.
Aaron says that he loves people and loves to see people better themselves, which is the heart of a servant leader. His advice for new and incoming students is, “strengths are important. They can help you become a great leader and person. Strength-based education can bring a sense of realization into one’s life”.