WBU recently had an essay contest to hear about what students love most about their school. Finalists were chosen from every campus to win a $200 gift certificate to the bookstore. The essay the finalists wrote are posted on Wayland Baptist University's Facebook page and are awaiting your votes! The finalist whose essay gets the most votes wins an iPad2! The finalists were released today and guess what! That's right, I'm a finalist. While I would be so appreciative of your votes, I also wanted to share my essay with my non-Facebooking readers. I wrote it for the contest, but I absolutely mean every word. So here it is!
Since I was very young, I felt God’s call on my life to attend Wayland Baptist University. Growing up in Lockney, Texas, I had no doubt that this was the school I wanted to attend. During high school at Plainview Christian Academy, I had the opportunity to take concurrent classes through Wayland. I am now a sophomore studying sociology and Spanish. After Wayland, I hope to pursue a Master’s degree and serve the elderly as a social worker. Wayland has been a wonderful place to reach both my short-term and long-term goals.
Higher education is a privilege that I value very much. I am thankful for the opportunity to better myself in order to help others in the future. For me, Wayland Baptist University is the perfect place to begin my journey. There are many reasons that I chose and continue to love Wayland, but almost all of them boil down to the people. Those who I live, work, and learn with every day have made up my Wayland story and have helped me become the person I am today.
My fellow Wayland students have welcomed, encouraged, and inspired me throughout my time here. Through Koinonia I began to meet people with similar interests and goals. Dorm life has helped me make lasting friendships with individuals who sincerely care about me. I am continually inspired by my peers. Aside from their great attitudes, so many of our students have extraordinary talents. Through sports, music, art, and so many other venues, Wayland students express the gifts God has given them. I am so proud to count myself among these young men and women and so happy to call them my friends.
Wayland’s work-study program has helped me not only to pay for school, but also to meet the staff who keep the university going. I have worked in the Office of the Registrar since my first semester at Wayland. It is great to feel that the things I do at work are necessary and valuable. It is even better to work with people who appreciate my help. My work environment reflects the “Wayland family” mentality. We complete our tasks, but we enjoy each other as we do so. My coworkers care about me and support me in and out of the office. My contact with other offices has given me a similar impression. I feel that the staff at Wayland are proud of what they do and happy to help students do their best.
When others ask me about why I chose Wayland, I often point them to the professors. Wayland’s teachers are a terrific asset to the university. Regardless of department, I have encountered professors who love their jobs and love their students. My teachers know my name and pay attention to my goals and needs. Wayland’s faculty consistently builds relationships with students to help them achieve their fullest potential. The counsel I have received from teachers has given me the knowledge and the confidence to pursue my goals. I appreciate the effort each educator gives to ensuring that their students succeed both in class and in life.
My Wayland story has many twists and turns and is not yet complete. I have experienced joys and sorrows, successes and failures, good times and bad. Through each of these times, the people of Wayland Baptist University have helped me to laugh, grow, and learn. As I continue my educational journey, I know that I can count on the students, staff, and faculty of Wayland to pick me up when I fall and cheer me on when I succeed. I am so thankful that God has made me a member of this family. I look forward to growing closer to the people who have made Wayland the right choice for me and welcoming new additions as the Wayland family grows.
I am overflowing with more post ideas, dear readers. However, I am not overflowing with time to get them down. In the meantime, check out Wayland's newspaper The Trailblazer (attached to the end of the electronic Baptist Standard). I'm excited to inform you that I'll be writing a few articles this semester!
