Sheba Wadley receives $20,000 graduate scholarship to attend Washington University

September 26, 2007

Any mention of Sheba Wadley evokes smiles from students, faculty and staff all over the Evangel University campus. Wadley was a campus leader, well-known for leading with her personal strengths. She graduated from Evangel in 2007 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree.

As a result of her hard work at Evangel, Wadley has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship to attend graduate school at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.

Evangel University uses the Gallup Organization’s online StrengthsQuest® assessment to help students discover their top-five themes of talent. Wadley was instrumental in encouraging others to develop their leadership potential through this assessment, as she had.

Wadley took some time from her busy schedule as a new graduate student to answer a few questions about her experiences at Evangel that shaped her for success.

EU: How has Evangel prepared you for graduate school?

WADLEY: Evangel has prepared me for studies at Washington University in ways I did not even consider before coming here. I am mindful of the numerous encounters I had with self-assessments. When I was in class, I was not appreciative of being instructed to look at myself and expose my shortcomings, but those assignments have freed me to be honest about what I do and why I do it. I believe that honesty is such a tremendous part of my acceptance into the Washington University community. Although I have been present for a short time, those I have encountered are already aware that I know who I am, what I want and what I am willing to do to get there. That raw transparency comes from my classroom experiences at Evangel.

EU: You believe StrengthsQuest has been critical in your success. What did you learn about yourself?

WADLEY: Through StrengthsQuest I was able to clearly discern who I am in Christ as well as how I can maximize my talents to become a more productive person in all areas of my life. The assessment revealed my top-five strengths: communication, woo, empathy, positivity and restorative. In turn, this enlightened me on how I could live in a way that would free me to accomplish much without feeling as though I had to suppress my personality in order to do so.

EU: How did you encourage other students to learn about themselves through StrengthsQuest®?

WADLEY: When I addressed students at a strengths-based chapel service, I told them to take full advantage of the assessment and to be adamant about discovering how they can utilize their talents to represent both Christ and themselves in an honest and excellent way. I shared a few of my experiences since taking the assessment and told them that I believe knowing myself better has helped me arrive at success today.

EU: Who had an impact on your life in your time at Evangel?

WADLEY: I would be remiss if I did not give credit to every person at Evangel who is affiliated with the social work program. While I do have a particular professor who stands out to me because of time spent with her and her family outside of the classroom, I feel indebted to all who had a hand in educating me. It was their collective work that helped get me here. My professors — whether social work, English, theology or other — made time for me and listened to my heart concerning matters extending far beyond the classroom. Because I could confide in them personally, I trusted in them professionally. I respect every one of my professors deeply and am thankful to have had each of them assist me in growing and developing as a social worker, as a woman and as a Christian.

EU: What kinds of things did you do in your time at Evangel that you think helped to get such a significant scholarship?

WADLEY: My time spent at Evangel was invested in extracurricular activities. I was a member of Only Anointed Through Him, a student-led ministry team, as well as Activities Board, Bed and Breakfast, and PRIDE, a multicultural awareness group. I was also a new student orientation leader for three years. Outside of extracurricular activities, I was a devoted employee at the Joust, and I was also a work study for Mark Hafner, director of student activities.

EU: What will you be studying in graduate school?

WADLEY: I will focus on children, youth and families and will adapt school social work into my concentration.

EU: What’s the next step?

WADLEY: Upon completing my master's, I would like to work in a high school setting in an urban community to be determined.

EU: Anything else you would like to add?

WADLEY: I love Evangel. Just like any other environment, it is filled with humanity and frailty. What I appreciate about the school is that the people that make up the community have an apparent desire to cover that humanity and frailty with love. I would not trade my time spent there for anything else in the world. I hope the students who attend the school in the future can take their eyes off of the humanity within the campus atmosphere long enough to be affected by the presence of love that revolves around Christ and resides on the campus.