On March 11, 2011, a magnitude-9 earthquake devastated northeastern Japan and unleashed a savage tsunami whose effects reverberated throughout the world. The impact of that earthquake was also felt in the hearts of people far away, including DBU alumni Andrew and Aubra Bulin, for whom the crisis served as God’s clear calling to send them to Japan.
In the wake of disruption, many organizations have been forced to adapt their approach so as to continue providing much-needed services while protecting the health of their staff and the people they serve. Among these are local non-profit ministries like Brother Bill's Helping Hand, which has been serving the West Dallas and Oak Cliff communities for many years.
Through their Coffeehouse fundraiser in February, featuring recording artist Chris Renzema, DBU's Zeta Chi sorority was able to raise $9,000 to donate to several non-profits.
A native of McKinney, Texas, Stuart Foister's calling to the field of law began to develop before he ever set foot on University Hill.
DBU Senior Mackenzie Lohnes shares how God's faithfulness has been a common theme throughout her time on the Hill and as part of the Patriettes dance team.
Faithful in every footnote is the phrase that was scripted above Dr. Christine Jones's desk as a doctoral student. While she worked on her dissertation, those words would morph into her personal outlook on education.
"My greatest passion is to inspire, train, and encourage new generations of musicians; more than anything else, this has driven me to become a better performer and teacher," DBU Alumna Meredith Tompkins shared. Born and raised in Midland, Texas, Meredith grew up in a musical family and eventually gravitated to studying music herself.
Dr. King’s call for racial equality and justice in America is far from fulfilled as we enter this new decade. That unfinished call goes beyond the starting point of awareness and a change of mind to move toward individual and collective accountable action, including participating in constructive dialogue, hiring without prejudice, conscientious engagement in civic life, and joining together to ensure a fair and impartial justice system, as well as ending cycles of poverty and educational disadvantages in underprivileged communities.
For current DBU graduate students, Shirley and Joyce Porto, the religious freedoms enjoyed by some are an urgent call to speak out for others around the world without them. Together they are working on campus to inspire students to give voice to the voiceless and make the world a more just place for all.
