Kristie Anders

By: Dezaray Barr

Kristie Anders and her family

Kristie Anders (Oke) graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in 2013 with a degree in elementary education through the John Wesley Honors College (JWHC). There were many reasons for Anders to attend IWU. “My dad works at Indiana Wesleyan, and my sister was attending IWU as well. It was close to home, and I loved the Christ-centered atmosphere,” she said.

Anders really enjoyed her time at IWU. “I had a lot of engaging projects in my education and honors college classes, and I was excited to pour myself into them,” she said. “I had a great group of friends who both challenged me and did ridiculous things with me. It was a season of growing, changing and learning, and IWU was an amazing place to do all of those things.”

When she arrived at IWU, Anders said that she had a pretty extensive background in regards to spirituality. “I come from a family of teachers and pastors and was blessed to grow up in the church. While I was at IWU though, I had the opportunity to pursue my faith in a different context and was challenged by the professors and other students. In the JWHC, I was asked to research and then articulate many aspects of my faith. I had to wrestle with some ideas I had never encountered before, but thankfully I had a great support structure to help me,” she said.

After graduating from IWU, Anders taught second grade in Gas City (near IWU’s Marion campus) for one year. She then moved to Hawaii where she taught second grade at a Nazarene school for three years. She said, “I’m not currently working, but I’m enjoying raising our 4-month-old son and pursing a master’s degree in Leadership Design and Technology online at San Diego State University.”

While in Hawaii, Anders met her husband, who is in the Air Force. “We are now stationed in Little Rock, Arkansas,” she said. “I’m also (very slowly) working on a children’s book, but we’ll see if anything ever comes of that!”

 

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a senior Strategic Communication, Journalism and Honors Humanities triple major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

Homecoming 2017: Chris Daughtry

By: Dezaray Barr

Chris Daughtry and his family
Chris Daughtry and his family

Every year, Indiana Wesleyan University gives the Distinguished College of Adult and Professional Studies Alumni Award to an alumnus or alumna of the College who has exhibited excellence in serving his or her profession, community, church, or alma mater in the spirit of Jesus Christ. This year, Chris Daughtry receives this honor.

Daughtry is the Superintendent at Elwood Community School Corporation located in the heart of Indiana. He is currently a Member at Albion Wesleyan Church, but is transitioning to College Wesleyan Church in Marion.

Daughtry graduated from IWU in 2002 with a Master’s in Education and then in 2010 with a Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership.

He is currently an active member of the Optimist Club of Elwood and a Board Member of the St. Vincent Mercy Foundation. Daughtry is also the Acting President of the Indiana Small and Rural Schools Association. He has been honored with an Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and as 434th Support Group Airman of the Quarter.

“My IWU education further cemented a sense of ‘service above self’ that was first taught to me by my parents and later reinforced by my service in the U.S. Air Force,” Daughtry said. “My professors at IWU encouraged me to become a true servant leader.  It is that foundation of servant leadership that truly guides me in the empowerment of those that I lead and that I serve.”

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU, Dezaray runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.