WALLA WALLA UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY // NEWS
WWU SENIOR WWU CHURCH RACES IN NATIONAL OPENS CROSS-COUNTRY EDEN’S EVENT PANTRY
S
pencer Glubay, Walla Walla University senior bioengineering major, finished 48th out 335 crosscountry runners at the 64th annual National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics cross-country meet. The race was hosted by the Cascade Collegiate Conference in Vancouver, Washington, on Nov. 22, 2019. The competition took place over a 5-mile (8-kilometer) grass track at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Glubay ran a time of 25:52.8, crossing the line one minute and 13 seconds behind the first-place finisher Mark Shaw, a senior from Oklahoma City University. “It was absolutely amazing weather for a race,” Glubay says. “I didn’t start out as fast as I usually do, so I got stuck in about 70th place for the first two laps. I was stressed at the beginning because it was so crowded, but
during the last two laps I was making up a lot of ground. I just tried to run relaxed and push myself.” WWU added crosscountry as a varsity sport in 2018. Cross-country involves running on natural terrain, such as grass or dirt, and may include hills, woods and other natural features. Glubay hopes to continue long-distance running, including marathons and triathlons. Last summer he qualified for the Boston Marathon. Glubay says, “Some lessons I’ve learned from running are that life isn’t easy and there is always someone better than you, but you get out what you put in. If you put the time into something, you’ll reap the reward for the time you put into it.”
E
Kiersten Ekkens, WWU university relations student writer
ach Tuesday and Thursday, more than 100 Walla Walla University students visit the new Eden’s Pantry at the University Church. Since December 2019, Eden’s Pantry has provided nutritious food at no cost to students in need. The pantry, begun by Troy Fitzgerald, University Church outreach and disci-
Kiersten Ekkens pleship pastor, and Jonathan Simons, a graduate student in the social work department, offers a selection of healthful foods, including bread, canned soup, cereal, beans, and canned fruits and vegetables. Food, time and funding are donated by members of the University Church to support students and community members who struggle with access to enough food. Fitzgerald says, “Because we believe that every person is created in the image of God, our mission reaches beyond providing food to promote
SPENCER GLUBAY
44
the value of nutrition, increase self-sufficiency and instill hope. Furthermore, we seek to encourage an understanding of food insecurity within our community and to create a space for students and church members to volunteer and come together. In this way, Eden’s Pantry helps to ensure that food relief has a more meaningful, enduring impact.” Having this resource on campus also gives students an opportunity to connect with members of the church and community. To learn how you can contribute to Eden’s Pantry, visit the University Church website at wwuchurch.org.
march/april 2020
