philanthropy U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A R Y H A R D I N - B AY L O R
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INSIDE: Students share stories of service and joy.
SUMMER 2016
welcome Our university mission statement calls for us to prepare students “for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society.” As a Christ-centered university, we believe that an orientation toward service is a vital component of each student’s education. We want our students to be aware of people in need and committed to seeking solutions, both locally and globally, and it is gratifying to see so many of them grow and mature as they discover the joy that comes from giving their time and energies to those who need their help. On the following pages, three students share how they are finding fulfillment through serving others. As you read their stories, I hope you will remember that these young people have had the opportunity to learn these lessons at UMHB because of the gifts made by donors like you. Your willingness to help them has made it possible for them to understand the importance of Christian service; I hope it brings you great satisfaction to see how your generosity is making a difference in their lives and the lives of those around them.
WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE UMHB STUDENTS SERVING? THIS SUMMER, WELL OVER
UMHB STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING THE JOY OF GIVING BY SERVING IN
MISSIONS, CAMPS, OR CHURCHES IN OVER
15 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.
Randy O’Rear President HAITI • PERU • HONDURAS • INDIA Philanthropy is published three times a year by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Division of Communications and Special Projects. To share your comments, you may write to the editor at UMHB Box 8431, 900 College Street, Belton, Texas 76513; send emails to khumphreys@umhb.edu, or phone 254.295.4164. For more information about giving to UMHB, please contact the Office of Development at 254.295.4601.
GUINEA • GUATEMALA • UKRAINE BELGIUM • KENYA • UNITED KINGDOM UGANDA • ETHIOPIA • CHINA SOUTH ASIA • POLAND DOMINICAN REPUBLIC • UNITED STATES
ACCORDING TO A 2013 STUDY, WHICH SURVEYED
3,351 U.S. ADULTS
E NGAGE D IN A C T S O F V O L U N TEER IS M ,
“Those who are happpiest are those who do the most for others.” —Booker T. Washington
said that giving has made them feel physically healthier
94
%
said that giving improves their mood
78%
SAID THAT GIVING LOWERS THEIR STRESS LEVELS
said that giving enriches their sense of purpose in life
81%
Washington's words embody the spirit of this issue, which highlights connections between happiness and giving. Many UMHB students experience the delights of summer by seeking new places to explore, people to meet, and ways to serve. Understandably, for some, the summer is a time to pause—to enjoy a respite from rigorous coursework and long study hours. Others regard the summer period as an opportunity to energize and embrace fully the joy of giving. The practice of giving takes countless forms, from offering prayer to helping a stranger. Regardless of form, though, many would admit to feeling better—to finding greater happiness—through service. This issue seeks to celebrate this joy of giving by offering a glimpse into the volunteerism, prosocial behaviors, and altruistic activities of three servant leaders at UMHB. Read on to see how these students are making a difference and finding happiness through giving.
who volunteer alongside fellow students, friends, or colleagues say it strengthens their relationships with these people PHILANTHROPY | SUMMER 2016
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finding joy through
service
THREE STUDENTS DESCRIBE HOW THEIR SERVICE EXPERIENCES AT UMHB AND BEYOND HAVE SHAPED THEM AS SERVANT LEADERS AND FULFILLED THEM AS INDIVIDUALS.
EMILY PARKER When Emily Parker walks into a room, everyone lights up. Her joy is infectious, and she ascribes much of this cheerfulness to her giving spirit—something she has maintained, even in the face of adversity. Emily was born with Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), a genetic disease that caused her shinbone to break when she was just 9 months old. Despite a decade of medical efforts, her leg did not heal properly, and it was amputated in 2007. This, however, has not slowed her down, and her tenacious joy for life and service is palpable. In fact, Emily now uses her amputation experience as inspiration to give back, by serving as a volunteer amputee mentor. “I work with people who are about to or have lost limbs due to diseases such as diabetes or cancer,” she said.
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“This is something I absolutely love doing. When I was in the position of having my leg amputated, someone came in and talked to me about the experience, and it meant the world to me. I don’t think I would have been able to get through it without that mentorship.” Many of Emily’s service efforts cast very wide nets indeed, as she fruitfully invests in the lives of others all across the nation. In addition to serving as an amputee mentor locally in Texas, she has volunteered repeatedly as a “Pedal Partner” for a team raising funds to benefit NF research through the Race Across America cycling event. With one of her doctors, she has even lobbied members of Congress in Washington DC for medical funding in the area of bone research.
Photo by Deanna Dawdy
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Emily puts her gifts to good use at UMHB, as well. On campus, she volunteers with the Campus Activities Board (CAB) and serves as vice president of the Search Cru organization. This year, she will represent CAB in the 2016 Miss MHB pageant. She says her experiences with campus volunteerism have been phenomenal. “Part of the reason I chose UMHB and marketing as a major is because I love people. I enjoy serving people, loving people, and helping people in any way I can,” she said. “As Christians, we are called to love others as Christ loved us, so showing others love is something that is really important to me.” When asked how giving makes her feel, she said, “Seeing the happiness you bring others is addicting; once you see it, you want to experience more of that joy and spread smiles all over the world!” One can spend five minutes with Emily, see the joy she exudes, even to the unknown passerby, and know she is doing just that: spreading smiles. Emily claims this is just her way of paying it forward, as she credits the many smiles she received during hospital stays as motivating her to do the same. “Because I grew up with this disease, I endured hospital visit after hospital visit,” she said. “Nurses, doctors, and volunteers were always willing to give. They were there to make sure others are happy, and they were always smiling. This had a huge impact on me as a patient and helped shape who I am today.” Emily has found that service activities help her grow and strengthen her relationships with others. “I have gotten to know all kinds of people and made amazing Photo by Deanna Dawdy 6 PHILANTHROPY | SUMMER 2016
Emily Parker helps incoming students move into their dorms during Welcome Week 2015. Photo by Randy Yandell
connections through my volunteer efforts at UMHB,” she said. “I even met one of my roommates through service activities, and she is now one of my closest friends!” Community seems to be a priority for Emily. Whether she is helping with Stunt Night, assisting incoming students on move-in day, or comforting babies during worship services at church, the practice of fostering community is at the heart of her efforts. She wants to invest in the lives of others, not just because it makes her feel good, but because she has been called to do so. “We are called to live like Christ, and Christ served those around him,” she said “He got down and washed the disciples’ feet.” Emily desires to live and serve like Christ. Of course, it comes in handy that she loves people, and proudly claims, “I’m extremely extroverted” when describing herself.
“SEEING THE HAPPINESS YOU BRING OTHERS IS ADDICTING; ONCE YOU SEE IT, YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE MORE OF THAT JOY AND SPREAD SMILES ALL OVER THE WORLD!”
— EMILY PARKER
Emily is not one to brag, though, and when asked about her service at UMHB, she likely will not mention the awards she has received. Her mission to spread joy through service has been recognized formally on multiple occasions. Last November, she was selected to receive the monthly Doulos Award for outstanding student service. Additionally, at the end of the year, the deans and directors of the Student Life division chose Emily as the overall 1st place winner for service during the 20152016 academic year. Considering her exceptional involvement in volunteer activities, it is no surprise that she identifies a passage from Bob Goff’s book Love Does as her inspiration to serve. Quoting Goff, she says, “love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.” This is Emily: a doer, a giver . . . pure joy. PHILANTHROPY | SUMMER 2016
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Photo by Kristi Humphreys
the joy of CHRIS STROUP
giving
Chris Stroup is the oldest of three children, and he speaks fondly of family. “My mother says she wishes she had four kids, because when you make dinner for five, there is always enough left over for one more.” His mother clearly has a heart for service—something Chris shares. For Chris, service is an essential part of daily life, and it seems to have defined much of his experience as a student at UMHB. “What makes UMHB unique is how it enables students to lead, serve, and grow.” While a student, Chris led through Student Foundation, an invitation-only organization that equips students to function as hosts for alumni and donor events. This year, he started a student United Way chapter on campus, which created programs and events that empowered the UMHB campus to serve alongside the greater Bell County community. “Service is part of who we are as followers of Christ,” he said. “Philanthropy means ‘love of humanity’ in the sense of caring, nourishing, developing, and enhancing what it is to be human. As a student, I always felt revived in the Lord through the activities I participated in at UMHB.”
Chris says he finds joy in serving others, and UMHB provides a culture that fosters this joy of giving—something he claims is especially apparent during Welcome Week. “I have seen first-hand the Holy Spirit work through others, as we serve our church, community, city, state, and nation, and UMHB Welcome Week is a perfect example,” he said. “The UMHB community comes together in welcoming new students to campus, celebrating their new beginnings, and encouraging our new Crusaders to embrace the Gospel.” A May graduate, Chris sets forth on a new journey, pursuing a career in marketing and communications. It seems fitting that he is motivated by words involving courage. “I am inspired by a quote by Donald Miller,” he said. “‘Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life.’” Chris now enters the job market with confidence, courage, and a nod to the past. “I have learned so much during my time at UMHB, but none of it would have mattered if I did not know the love of Jesus. The friends, faculty, staff, donors, and alumni I have encountered have taught me what it truly means to be a servant of God.” PHILANTHROPY | SUMMER 2016
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the joy of ABIGAIL MCPHAIL
loving
“For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45, NIV) Abigail McPhail identifies this verse as her ultimate inspiration for choosing a life of giving. As a self-described “military brat,” she spent much of her adolescence moving around. But she now calls UMHB home, and service is at the heart of her collegiate endeavors. Her reason for serving others? “Jesus came down, hung out with sinners, washed others’ feet, and loved people,” she said. “And if Jesus did that, why shouldn't we?” This year she was a leader of First Year Council, an organization that helps first-year students transition to university life. As a part of the group, she had opportunities to serve the homeless at Feed My Sheep in Temple, volunteer in multiple Reaching Out service days, and function as a Tri Dub volunteer, helping to set up and run all Welcome Week activities. She adds, “I was recently selected to be a Student Ambassador, which will open up new ways to serve the university.” In May, she participated in her first mission trip to
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Middlesbrough, England, where she taught the gospel in schools and churches. “It was absolutely amazing,” she recalled. “This mission trip was my favorite volunteer experience because it was life changing. I really had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I absolutely fell in love with Middlesbrough and its people.” For Abigail, the practice of giving, in whatever form, fortifies her with a greater sense of purpose, reduced levels of stress, and endless joy. She says volunteerism also strengthens her relationships with fellow UMHB students, especially those who participated in the recent UK mission trip. “Something I learned on this trip, and by serving with others in general, is that everyone is blessed with different gifts, and it is neat to see how each of us is able to use them in order to serve,” she said. “These seven people that I barely knew are now some of my best friends.” Unsurprisingly, Abigail is already planning to represent the university again on the mission trip next summer, saying, "I love that I am able to serve this university that has given me so much."
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900 College Street • Belton, Texas 76513
With 2016 Welcome Week approaching, many are gearing up to serve the incoming students through a multitude of events, including moving day and community service activities.