Kuyper Celebrates Its Annual Scholarship Dinner
When Alex Owens first came to Kuyper College, cultivating his relationship with God wasn’t his top priority.
“After two years playing soccer while attending community college, I was just looking for a place where I could continue playing the game I loved while finishing up my degree,” the senior social work student told students, staff, and friends of the College gathered in the Walters Dining Room in late October for Kuyper’s annual Scholarship Dinner.
But, he added, God had other plans. Kuyper may have begun as a place to simply play a sport and earn a degree, but it became the place where he deepened his faith and discovered who he truly was.
“When I look back at that time, when I was deciding where to attend next, I can see that it was really God speaking to me, leading me to choose to come here,” said Owens, who also serves on the Student Success team. “And I have been able to do the things I have because of you all here today.”
Though the autumn evening was cold and blustery, the atmosphere inside the dining room was warm and joyful—a fitting setting for the annual event, which gives the Kuyper community the opportunity to thank the kind individuals who help make it possible for many students to attend.
It’s a time for scholarship recipients and donors, as well as Kuyper staff and board members, to share both a delicious meal and stories of God at work through Kuyper scholarships.
Dr. Patricia Harris, president of Kuyper College, was the first to welcome and thank attendees.
“I look forward to this event because it joins together a few very special groups of people: our students, our scholarship donors, and our faculty, staff, and board members,” she said. “It’s a beautiful representation of the Kuyper College community, and we’re so glad you could be here tonight.”
After President Harris’ address—and plenty of good conversation over dinner—attendees heard a financial update from Chief Advancement Officer Jim Steenbergen before Owens and his fellow students Kaeden Costen and Allesha Cooper took to the microphone to share their stories.
Both Costen and Cooper echoed Owens’ sentiments.
“At first, I laughed when people suggested I should go into youth ministry, but luckily enough, God had other plans, and they ultimately led me here to Kuyper,” said Costen. “His faithfulness has come through the generosity of donors like you.”
“When I came to Kuyper, I felt peace, as if God was saying, ‘This is where I want you to be,’” Cooper added. “As a first-generation college student, my scholarships have made it possible to focus on my studies instead of finances.”
Infused throughout the night’s events was the sense that Kuyper is growing and helping students seek the Kingdom of God above all else—thanks to the generous donations of those gathered in the room.
Dr. Tim Howerzyl, assistant professor of theological studies and graduate program director, closed the evening with an appropriate prayer:
“We thank You, Lord, for Kuyper College and the fact that we can continue to be part of the story of Your Church, seeking after Your Kingdom.”
