PERSPECTIVE - STEPHANIE GARRISON

In July of 2003, my bags were packed and the plan was solidified. I was going to attend a Christian college in South Florida. I was planning to major in entrepreneurship and dance, and I was excited to be living on the beach. It was every 18-year-old’s dream when thinking of college.

The months leading up to my move had been a roller coaster. After losing my dad in an accident, my plans were changing… sometimes too fast. I was learning how to grow up as a young woman while understanding the grief of loss.

One day in late July, I started feeling uneasy about my transition to the “other college.” I knew I was going for the wrong reasons. I knew I was running away from something. Within that same week, I dropped off my friend at SEU for preseason soccer. As we settled her into her new dorm room, her admission counselor (AMY (MILLER) THURSTON ’02) stopped to say hi. She had remembered me from my annual Preview Days Visits. (As a high-school student, I actually led my own tours of SEU’s campus with friends from my youth group!)

As we began to catch up, she looked at me and said, “Why aren’t you coming here? Do you feel called to be here?” I started crying and responded, “I have already done my FAFSA. Am I allowed to change my paperwork for college before even coming?” She kindly smiled and said, “I’ll do all the paperwork. I feel the Lord wants you here.” After a few signatures and a deposit, I moved into Southeastern three weeks later. I haven’t left.

I vividly remember my first day on campus in August of 2003. Check-in ran a little differently. We stood in lines in Bush Chapel where desktop computers sat on the 6-foot folding tables, a couple laser printers sat on stage continually printing schedules and bills (the paper with the perforated edges and holes). The parents stayed in line to finish up the bill while the students settled into their rooms.

I remember checking in at the Student Development table as a student leader in a blue “Be Salt” shirt waved me over. I remember looking and thinking to myself, “I want to sit in that seat next year. I want to make sure the new students feel welcomed like I do.” Little did I know that I would be wearing the annual orientation shirt for the next 19 years, waving to EVERY family as they drove through the front entrance! Through the years as a student, I found my first mentor. My RD (Sue Schoenherr) took the time to ask me the hard questions, encourage my growth and pray with me and for me. The opportunities to develop as a student leader were some of the greatest memories and experiences I had as a young 18- to 20-something. Residence Life strengthened my backbone to confront people; working as a student employee in Financial Aid solidified my passion for process and systems; and learning from the business faculty, in a newly developed program, allowed confidence and creativity. In each

Stephanie with her brother, Ben, in 2010

(left to right) Stephanie, Whitner (Snuggs) Lawson and Stephanie Powell in 2007

Stephanie with Darrell Hardt in 2018

opportunity, I recognized I wanted to share my joy, my healing, my growth and my story with college students. I’ve been able to do that ever since.

Upon graduation, the infamous Darrell Hardt offered me my first full-time role in Event Services at SEU. For years, I was able to sit under his leadership and learn every part of higher education, business and people. I credit who I am today as a woman in leadership, boss, mentor and employee to him. (If you know and/ or remember Darrell, you’re probably smiling as you read this.) We all love Darrell!

Darrell did such a great job being my boss that I was able to become a teammate with him. Over the years, we’ve been able to create processes, understand the rhythms and culture in higher education, and support the university together.

As I share in every parent session that we offer to visitors, I often brag on being a product of Southeastern. It’s something I am proud of. I always say, “If you are here for one visit, four years or 19 years like myself, a bit of Southeastern comes home with you. We are a unique community. We provide excellence, we love Jesus and we equip our students to step into the world to love like Jesus!” Southeastern has done that for me, and now it’s my chance to empower generations of people in a new community.

As I honor our leadership team, the college of business, my coworkers and my SEU family, I am excited to move on and to celebrate my lifelong dream of opening a business.

As a little girl, I remember being in the dance studio wondering, “How can I do this every day of my life?” And now, 34 years later, it’s a reality with the Lord confirming, “I’m equipping you to empower generations of women!” SEU has prepared me for this. The people, the prayers and the opportunities have developed my strengths as a woman in business to equip and lead other women.

In fall of 2022, I will transition from SEU and open the second location of The Balance Culture, a women’s fitness studio, created by two alumni [KIRSTIN (KOLENIAK) CZERNEK ’11, ’13 (MSPC) & RUTHIE (GLOVER) TAIT ’13]. I am honored to carry the Balance Culture brand to Winter Haven, Fla., and support the community.

SEU is a pillar for so many. We have been equipped to share our stories and recognize who we became through our college years. I am grateful I was able to get a few more years after that. Remember the significance of the place where you prayed over your dreams, goals and opportunities … you’re still worth those prayers! As Mark Batterson says, “Going back to the places of spiritual significance can help us find our way forward again.”

Stephanie at SEU Conference 2022