Marion Housing Authority: Steve Sapp

By: Dezaray Barr

Steve Sapp

Steve Sapp graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in 2010 with his BSM. He was led to attend IWU because of it’s “good reputation, quality program, adult studies program and location.”

Sapp said that his time at IWU was challenging, but rewarding. “I worked full-time, helped raise our son and volunteered extensively at my church,” he explained. “I couldn’t have achieved my education and degree without the flexibility of IWU’s program!”

During his time at IWU, Sapp’s spiritual knowledge and life grew extensively. “Aside from learning more from the Old and New Testament courses than I had previously known being raised in church all my life, my thought patterns were consistently challenged throughout my studies which allowed me to see God in different ways than formerly known and strengthened my foundational beliefs in Him!” Sapp said.

After graduating in December of 2010, Sapp was promoted to Executive Director of Marion Housing Authority. That same month, he and his wife celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. Sapp is now the CEO of Marion Housing Authority. “I have the honor of working with great-hearted people that have compassion to make a positive impact in the lives of the people we serve and in our community. To support our main mission of providing housing and housing assistance to low and median-income families in our community, we are now involved in the purchase and redevelopment of commercial properties in downtown Marion, which I believe is making a positive impact and contribution to our city,” Sapp said.

“Going back to college later on life with a full-time job and family, I learned how to work hard and not give up to attain something that was important to me. Things that are worth having or not usually given to you. It takes hard work, dedication and perseverance!” Sapp said.

Sapp’s son is currently a junior at IWU studying business and psychology. Sapp would encourage current IWU students to persevere! “Life will always be challenging regardless of what path you choose or find yourself in,” he said. “Not forsaking your faith in the Lord, He will always work all of your efforts and circumstances for your good if you continue to seek Him! Your true reward is not in the receipt of material things, but it’s a faith and character that has grown and drawn you closer to Christ.”

 

 

Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior 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.

Pursuing an Undergraduate Degree while Battling Cancer

By: Kendra Housel

Vicki, her husband, and one of their grandchildren
Photo obtained from Facebook

Vicki Schuhmacher holds a undergraduate degree in management as a 2007 graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University’s adult studies program. She had an easy time choosing to study with IWU, because a program had just opened up in Portland, near where she was already employed at the John Jay Center for Learning. With the convenient location and the easy time she had working with the school to receive adequate financial aid, Schuhmacher chose IWU.

Before her time working with the John Jay Center for Learning, Schuhmacher worked as a certified medical assistant, serving in hospitals. After transitioning to her job with the Center for Learning, Schuhmacher began a battle with cancer, which caused her to reevaluate where she was in life. With the help of much prayer, Schuhmacher decided to pursue her undergraduate degree.

Schuhmacher says that her time at Indiana Wesleyan was very positive. As she battled cancer and pursued her degree at the same time, the professors worked closely with her and made her feel very cared for. She also felt that the classes were well organized, and she loved how accessible her professors and class materials were to her at all times. In one of her bible classes, she felt especially encouraged by the professor. He had been a missionary, and through his teaching, she gained a deeper understanding of the Bible.

Currently, Schuhmacher works for Ivy Tech Community College. She began as an adjunct professor, and for the past six years has served full time on the Marion campus as a medical assisting professor. The leadership classes that she took as a part of her management degree are classes she credit heavily in terms of where she is now. The small class sizes challenged her to step out of her comfort zone and become a leader. Much of her personal teaching style also comes from the teaching styles of the professors she had at IWU. She feels that she is a better, stronger person because of the time she spent in those classes; she learned a lot about how you can struggle and succeed, and how it is possible to disagree with others and still have fruitful discussion.

Through much prayer and discernment, Schuhmacher confidently believes that she is doing exactly what she has been called to do. When she is not serving college students, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, playing basketball, baseball or dolls. This year, she will celebrate 44 years of marriage with her husband, as well as 13 years in remission from cancer!

Schuhmacher says that she never thought she would be where she is today, but God has His way of working that is far greater than ours. When asked what advice she had for current IWU students, she could not stress enough the charge to never give up. She says that “it took [her] thirty-seven years to finally get her degree” and do all she hoped to after high school. If you keep and open mind and heart, stay committed to Christ and to going before Him in prayer, He will guide you and His will will be done.

 

 

Written by Kendra Housel, writer for the Alumni Center. Kendra is a sophomore Education and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. She is also a member of the University Chorale. She is passionate about serving Christ through writing, singing and caring for others.