Evangel University and a family legacy

Six Evangel students, eight Evangel degrees and one Evangel professor — all in one immediate family

May 8, 2009

When Kristen and Courtney Byers received their degrees from Evangel University on Friday, May 1, 2009, they became a part of a rich family legacy that began with Evangel’s class of 1972.

Thirty-seven years ago, Randy and Lillian Byers received their bachelor’s degrees from Evangel — both in elementary education. When it came time to leave campus for the final time, Randy remembers having a difficult time walking away.

“I wept,” he says, “knowing that my heart would always be with Evangel.”

Indeed it has been.

In the three decades following, Randy and Lillian worked as teachers in the Mesa (Arizona) School District, had four daughters, and earned their master’s degrees.

“We are a family committed to education,” says Byers.

And even though the family was living on the other side of the country from Evangel — and the cost of putting four daughters through private college seemed prohibitive — Byers says they were also “a family committed to Evangel University education.”

Daughters follow parents' footsteps

The first Byers daughter to come to Evangel was Kristen. She followed in her parents’ footsteps, earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 2000. Kristen now teaches in Republic, Missouri. On Friday, May 1, she received her second Evangel degree — a master’s in reading through the Graduate Studies program.

Next in line was daughter Alissa. She received her bachelor’s degree in marketing and management in 2005 and took away from Evangel many of the same things her parents did. “I met my husband, Jeff (Rivera); I met dear friends; and I grew closer to God,” she says. “Professionally, Evangel gave me so many tools for my career in marketing.” Today Alissa serves as the development coordinator for the Foundation for Blind Children, a nonprofit organization in Phoenix.

Courtney Byers is also a 2009 graduate, having earned a bachelor’s degree in management and marketing, as well as the privilege of walking the line with her big sister Kristen.

Youngest daughter Brittany has just completed her freshman year, in pursuit of a management and marketing degree.

Dreams fulfilled through Evangel

Seeing all four daughters as students at Evangel was a dream come true for Randy and Lillian, but God opened a door to another dream for Randy — a call to teach at Evangel.

The idea first surfaced at Evangel’s 1992 Homecoming. The Byers had come for their 20th reunion, and while attending an Education Department alumni gathering, noticed there was no Special Education professor introduced. “I remember closing my eyes and asking God, ‘Is it me? Am I supposed to be a part of this program?’”

The Byers went home to Arizona, where they were still teaching, and started praying about the possibility.

In 1998, the call came offering Randy the opportunity to participate in the Special Education program at Evangel. Unfortunately, he had to say no.

“The timing was not yet right,” says Byers. “Lillian was in her master’s program, and the girls were at milestone places in their education.” Meanwhile, the Byers continued to pray the door would be open to them again someday.

In 2004, both Randy and Lillian retired.

The next year, they were on an Oklahoma freeway driving to Missouri for Alissa’s graduation when the call came inviting Randy to another interview at Evangel.

This time, the timing was perfect. Randy joined Evangel’s faculty in August of 2005.

“I had prayed since 1992 that God would bring me back to Evangel,” he says. “It was a dream come true.” Randy is proud to be a part of Evangel’s Department of Education, training today’s students to shape the world of tomorrow.

“Last week we graduated 53 new teachers, and they are in great demand,” says Byers. “I heard from a student who received three phone calls in one day from principals in Iowa who were looking for special-education teachers.

“I tell everyone who is looking for a college that Evangel is a great place for training for all majors, but especially Special Education,” he says, expressing the passion he has for his field.

Alissa says she is proud of her dad for spending his retirement training new teachers to carry on the important work he did throughout his career. “He is really giving back. The students in his classes are learning from someone who has a heart for Special Education.”

It’s a family affair! The Byers family gathers for a photo the morning of Courtney’s and Kristen’s graduation.
When freshman Brittany graduates, all six members of the Byers family will be Evangel alumni.
(From left) Brittany, Courtney, Lillian, Randy, Alissa and Kristen.

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