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Two Evangel University seniors honored with Anne Spence Award for Meritorious Christian Character and Service

Published on Apr 2, 2014 by Kim Jeyaraj

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Two Evangel students — seniors Bobbie McDaniel and Sein Kwon — were honored recently with the Anne Spence Award for Meritorious Christian Character and Service. Faculty, staff and students gathered for the Council of Commendation Banquet on Friday, March 14.

Each of the student honorees was nominated by a faculty or staff member who joined them for the dinner and awards ceremony. Recipients included one male and one female graduating senior who attained the highest scores in the selection process.

In 2013, Evangel’s board of directors named the Meritorious Christian Character and Service Award in honor of Anne Spence, wife of Evangel University President Robert H. Spence. Anne has served as executive vice president of the Evangel Ladies Auxiliary throughout the 40 years of her husband’s presidency.

The award previously was called the Silver Shield Award.

“This award is particularly meaningful because we are able to give special recognition to two graduating students who epitomize the Evangel commitment to character and service,” said Dr. Sheri Phillips, vice president of student development.

2014 Recipients:

  • Sein Kwon, art major, is the daughter of Jin An Kwon and Monica Cho of South Korea.

Kwon has been a part of many extracurricular activities on and off campus. She has volunteered with Asian American youth camps, worked with Convoy of Hope and was named the 2013 Homecoming queen. She also stays busy as an amateur photographer, specializing in events, weddings and individual photo shoots.

Kwon grew up in South Korea, but decided to pursue a bachelor’s of art degree at Evangel University; that decision has made a crucial impact on her life. Being an Evangel student has helped shape her vision for her future: “I would love to work with organizations that reach out to the homeless and to children,” she said. “I also would love to continue to photograph people and encourage them of their beauty. God gave me these passions, and now I need to put them into action.”

  • Bobbie McDaniel, nonprofit business & social enterprise major, is the son of Roger and LaVonne McDaniel of Edgerton, Kansas.

McDaniel’s extracurricular activities include serving as marketing director of ENACTUS, EU’s business group, and as organizer for campus events including “Be The Link,” a 2013 event that was aimed at educating students about needs in El Salvador, and “Radicle, Rooted in Change,” a 2014 event for social entrepreneurs that will take place on April 4. He also has completed various internships.

After four years of coursework needed for a bachelor’s of nonprofit business and social enterprise, McDaniel hopes to work with a non-profit organization after graduation: “I have an ongoing curiosity about this world that I want to keep exploring,” McDaniel said. “I want to be adventurous for Christ and discover ways that I can make a true difference in people’s lives.”

For additional information, contact Paul Logsdon at (417) 865-2815, ext. 7292.