Kara
Kara Blankenship grew up in a small town near Springfield, and she knew that she wanted to stay close to home when she went to college. After visiting Evangel and meeting Evangel's women's basketball coaches Leon and Dawn Neal, Kara fell in love with the Christian atmosphere on campus. She appreciates learning practical skills in social work in conjunction with the Christian application of those skills in the workplace. Throughout her time at Evangel, Kara has had many volunteer opportunities as well as academic and athletic honors.
Class of 2012
Hometown: Republic, Missouri
Major: Social Work
Emily
Emily Teal always dreamed of attending Evangel University. Growing up in a small Missouri town not far from Springfield, she had visited the campus often. Hard work and God’s blessing provided her a way to make the dream a reality. While maintaining a 3.9 grade point average, Emily is involved in local charity work with organizations like Convoy of Hope and local elementary school outreaches. She has also had a chance to participate in overseas service trips through Evangel.
Class of 2012
Hometown: Fair Grove, Missouri
Major: Elementary Education
Joseph
Joseph Brueckmann, a music education major from Las Vegas, Nevada, spent the summer of 2010 living his dream — playing his tuba in the Casper Troopers, a World Class drum corps with Drum Corps International. Each year, more than 8,000 students audition for the fewer than 3,500 positions available in top-tier DCI member corps. As an Evangel sophomore he is a member of the University Band, University Orchestra, Concert Orchestra, Jazz Band, University Chorus and Tuba Euphonium Ensemble.
Class of 2013
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Music Education
Zach
As a high school student, Zachary Jones remembers listening to his youth pastor tell stories of his time as a student at Evangel University. Zach enjoyed the stories and his interest was sparked, and God provided a way for him to attend Evangel. Now, he can tell his own stories.
Class of 2012
Hometown: LaGrange, Illinois
Major: Psychology
John
John Mowery faced the decision of a lifetime in June of 2009. Should he carry out his plan to attend a local Assemblies of God university? Should he ignore a scholarship offer he received by mail from Evangel University, a school 1,000 miles from home? Should he turn down scholarships he had already been awarded by another school? Even though John thought he had all his college plans under control, God had another plan. That plan led him to submitting an application to Evangel in June and changing plans to attend Evangel University in August. Like all students at Evangel, God has a special plan for John’s life that includes the Evangel experience.
Class of 2013
Hometown: Salunga, Pennsylvania
Major: Biblical Languages, Biblical Studies, English
Alyssa
Alyssa originally enrolled at Evangel as a Missions major, but her education and experience at Evangel helped focus her passion into Social Work. She learned in her freshman year that God can use her for ministry whether or not she pursues a degree in traditional missions. Alyssa has volunteered many hours at the Kitchen, a local humanitarian aid facility in Springfield, and is excited about the ministry God has in store for her as she pursues God’s call in the field of social work.
Class of 2012
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Major: Social Work
Hannah
Even though Hannah initially did not want to follow in her family’s footsteps and attend Evangel, she ultimately realized that this was exactly where God wanted her during her college years. She appreciates the Christian atmosphere she experiences as an Evangel student and is thankful that God has used Evangel to prepare her for her future career.
Class of 2013
Hometown: Mousup, Connecticut
Major: Digital Arts
Taylor
Taylor always wanted to attend a university in Springfield, Missouri, so she could be close to extended family. Out of all the universities available in Springfield, she chose Evangel because she loved the Christian atmosphere that she could not find elsewhere.
Class of 2013
Hometown: Lamar, Missouri
Major: Elementary, Middle School Education
Jonathan
Jonathan Sabella wears many hats as an Evangel University student: Social Sciences department senator, international study trip student leader and intern to a congressman in Washington D.C. As a missionary kid from Austria and the Czech Republic, Jonathan is pursuing a pre-law degree, focusing on international government. Because of his experience in international relations, Jonathan is student-leading a study trip to Austria and the Czech Republic this summer.
Class of 2012
Hometown: Prague, Czech Republic
Major: Pre-Law, International/Multicultural Studies
Terence
Overcoming financial issues was at the forefront of Terence’s mind four years ago as his desire to attend Evangel University developed. He now sees how God’s faithfulness permeated his situation and provided for his every need. Terence is currently a member of Concert Choir and is passionately involved in his chapel worship team. He is thankful to have the opportunity to learn and listen to God’s call on his life as he pursues his passions at Evangel University.
Class of 2011
Hometown: Clermont, Florida
Major: Music Industry
Joshua
Joshua Davis is a man of big dreams, high ideals and numerous life experiences. He spent one year at Evangel in 2003/04 as a freshman, and then enlisted in the Army, spending three years in active combat. Throughout that time he had one goal in mind — coming back to finish his degree at Evangel University.
Class of 2010
Hometown: Lumberton, North Carolina
Major: Music, Government
Elise
A member of Evangel University’s Forensics Team, Elise recently traveled to Berlin, Germany, to compete in the 20th annual International Forensics Association Tournament. She is thankful for all the opportunities she has encountered as an Evangel student. Elise is majoring in Communications, and she is excited to see where that career path will lead her.
Class of 2011
Hometown: Battle Creek, Michigan
Major: Communication Studies
Austin
When Austin Jacobs was a baby, his parents were told that he may never walk. Miraculously, Austin is now a college student who not just walks, but runs — as a member of the track team at Evangel University. In addition to his love for running, Austin has a captivating fascination with the English language. He is currently an English major serving as the chief copy editor for The Lance, Evangel’s student newspaper. Austin is thankful for the many opportunities he has encountered as a student at Evangel and looks forward to his future career.
Class of 2011
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
Major: English
Heather
Heather Fison is a passionate young woman from Alaska who is boldly following God’s call on her life one step at a time. She is involved in many extracurricular and academic activities on campus, and serves whole-heartedly in every capacity. Heather enrolled in a “study abroad” program at Focus on the Family’s Focus Leadership Institute in the fall semester of 2009 and is now back at Evangel to finish her degree in Education.
Class of 2011
Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska
Major: English Education
Nicholas
Nicholas Reasor was awarded a $26,000 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to study abroad during the 2011-2012 academic year. The Rotary Foundation is currently one of the world’s largest, private sponsors of university-level international scholarships. During his study abroad, Reasor is expected to be an outstanding ambassador of goodwill through appearances before Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations and other forums. After the study has been completed, he will share his experiences with the people in his home country and with the local Rotarians who sponsored his scholarship. Reasor is also a member of Evangel's track team and has won national PBL and SIFE awards, including PBL's top national award, "Future Business Executive."
Class of 2011
Hometown: Nixa, Missouri
Major: Management and Marketing
Meleah
A stand-out student who has always excelled academically, Meleah was recently awarded early acceptance to medical school — a rare honor for a med student. This means Meleah, who is preparing for a career in medical missions, will not have to take the MCAT and already has placement at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is part of A.T. Still University, in Kirksville, Missouri. She will start medical school in fall of 2011. For now, Meleah is finishing her undergraduate degree at Evangel, where she is also a cheerleader and serves as president of her residence hall floor. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Republic, Missouri
Major: Biological Chemistry/Pre-Med
Matthew
The first time Matthew stepped foot on the Evangel University campus was the day he moved into the residence halls. Though he was not able to visit campus during his application process, he found Evangel was the university for him by researching Evangel’s online virtual tour, student and faculty profiles, and academic pages. Matthew desires to be a teacher while pursuing God’s call of service, hoping one day to embark in full-time pastoral ministry. He knows that Evangel offers everything he needs to pursue these goals, and is now working hard to make his life-goals a reality. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Elberton, Georgia
Major: Special Education
Taylor
As an MK (missionary kid) who grew up in Eastern Europe, Taylor wanted to attend college in the United States. She first tried a community college, but then decided that Evangel University would be the best choice for her. As an Evangel student, Taylor has built a strong bond with other MKs from around the world who have also chosen Evangel. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Kiev, Ukraine and St. Petersburg, Russia
Major: International/Multicultural Studies
Minor: Photography
Rachel
Rachel has been given the gift of understanding the sciences as well as the heart to help others in need. She regularly serves on medical missions trips, most recently spending a month in Niger with two other Evangel pre-med students. She also works as a lab assistant for the Department of Science and Technology and completed a neuroscience internship at an area hospital last spring. These opportunities are preparing Rachel for medical school — and her dream to help those who do not have access to affordable health care.
Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Farmington, Minnesota
Major: Biological Chemistry
Jimmy
Since he was young, two things were consistent for Jimmy: his love for music and his desire to come to Evangel University. Even before Jimmy could read words on a page, he could read music. Now a junior at Evangel, he is pursuing the Music Department's newest major, Music Industry, which was launched in 2007 for students wanting to learn the business end of the music industry. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Springfield, Missouri
Major: Music Industry with a concentration in music composition
Chanelle
Chanelle, who received the highest honor of recognition awarded in piano performance at the 2007 National Fine Arts Festival, has a focused heart for worship. As an accomplished pianist, Chanelle has always known that she has been called lead worship in a church and to be a missionary to Europe. If she continues with her plan to enter full-time ministry upon graduation, she will also become a part of the fifth generation to do so in her family. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Brooks, Oregon
Major: Music Performance
Daniel
Prior to transferring to Evangel in the fall of 2008, Daniel had the opportunity to earn academic credit at Evangel through a 17-day ROTC internship he did over the summer in Slovakia. Daniel was selected as one of 15 students from the nation to live and work along Slovakian cadets. Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Saint Paul, Nebraska
Major: Military Science/History
Michael
Though Michael planned to be a Bible major, he believed a liberal arts education would prepare him for a more effective ministry in the long run. After researching his options, he found Evangel University offered the best comprehensive education for his ministry and career goals. Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Lawton, Oklahoma
Major: Biblical Studies/Biblical Languages
Brittany
As soon as she stepped foot on campus during her junior year of high school, Brittany, who has a heart for missions, knew Evangel was the place God wanted her to be.
At Evangel, she has used her passion for serving through working at Convoy of Hope, a non-profit disaster and hunger relief agency in Springfield, and is a Resident Assistant in Burgess Hall. Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
Major: Advertising/Public Relations
Sarah
Always curious about the world around her, Sarah originally planned to be a journalist. But once she started taking advertising and public relations courses to fulfill her degree requirements, a new interest sparked within her and she changed her major to Advertising/Public Relations. Through switching her major, Sarah discovered that her new area of study fit closely with another passion she had — sociology. While at Evangel, Sarah has been able to put both areas of studies to work through a valuable internship at a boutique and through working on Evangel’s yearbook, The Excalibur. Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Santa Cruz, California
Major: Advertising/Public Relations
Minor: Sociology
Adrienne
Despite coming from a big city, Adrienne loves the smaller college atmosphere of Evangel. She has appreciated the opportunity to help lead a softball clinic for girls in the Springfield community. Adrienne and the rest of the Crusader softball team also earned the title of the Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season champions during the spring of 2009. Read Profile»
Class of 2010
Hometown: Chula Vista, California
Major: Recreation
Minor: Health
Orrie
As a high school student Orrie looked for a college where his professors would take the time to learn his name and where the campus community would encourage him in his walk with God.
Now at Evangel, he has been encouraged by professors who have taken the time to get to know him and has enjoyed their integration of faith in the classroom. In his second year of college, Orrie got involved as a “Big Brother” for the Big Brother Big Sisters of the Ozarks and has participated in an on-site practicum at elementary school. Read Profile»
Class of 2011
Hometown: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Major: Physical Education
Minor: Sports Administration