Houghton College Student Scholarship Fund
Your gift to the Houghton College Student Scholarship Fund is an integral part of the transformative work that occurs every day in the lives of students. Please consider how you can help us achieve our commitment of $1,000,000 before May 31.
Kathryn-Rose Mello '14
When Kathryn-Rose (“K-R”) Mello ’14 began thinking about college, she had one major requirement; she wanted to study psychology from a Christian worldview. Her elementary and high school years were quite diverse. K-R attended a private Christian school from kindergarten through fourth grade, a public school from fifth through seventh, and was homeschooled from eighth through twelfth grades. Needless to say, K-R knew what she wanted and what she didn’t want from her higher education.
She considered a number of Christian colleges but chose Houghton. More than eight hours away from her family, the trek would prove to be a major stretching experience for K-R; but God was faithful.
“Houghton is a small community,” K-R said. “I like being known as a person with a name, not just a student with a number. I love being able to talk to my professors outside the classroom, whether it is about school work or personal choices or life. I love the people that I’ve met and the friendships I’ve made. I know it sounds cliché, but Houghton has become a home away from home for me. When I leave Rhode Island to come back to Houghton after breaks, I feel like I’m going to my second home.”
K-R has certainly maximized her time at Houghton. A junior psychology major with minors in theology and art (photography, to be more specific), K-R always looks for ways to grow – socially, academically, and spiritually. There is no shortage of opportunities!
Her freshman year, she joined the First-Year Learning Community. Her sophomore year she worked as a resident assistant in Gillette Hall. By junior year, she had taken a position as assistant resident director. She also works in the Visit Office, talking and interacting with prospective students and their parents. K-R was in the Gospel Choir, currently sings in the Women’s Choir, and was inducted into Psi-Chi, the psychology honors club.
How does K-R use these roles to enhance her community – to live the scholar-servant life? K-R says that her work naturally lends itself to those opportunities.
“I enjoy talking with the girls and leading Bible studies,” she said. “I like being the face they see; and they are constantly blessing me back. The intentionality of this community and the people who are here allows us to pour into each other. I love the fact that I can walk anywhere from point A to point B and run into people I know; to stop and hear about how they are doing; to pray with them.”
K-R continued, “You come to college and you don’t have your parents here to wake you up on the weekend. You have to choose to go to church on Sunday; choose fellowship,” she said. “Houghton does a great job with faith integration.”
K-R said she is prompted to think about how her spiritual walk affects her career and is encouraged when professors take time to pray before classes. She has learned to “seek after God’s plan for her life and fearlessly pursue it.” The academic experience has also challenged her. It sparked and fostered in her an increased love for learning.
When asked about the financial investment required for a private, Christian college education and the institutional financial aid she receives, K-R had a message to share with our alumni and donors:
“I Iike who I am becoming at Houghton and I don’t know if there is a price tag to put on that. I don’t take for granted being here. I would tell donors and alumni ‘Thank you! Thank you and stay tuned.’ You can have confidence that the people here are going to graduate and do great things – do Kingdom work. To be a part of that must be a huge blessing!”
We at Houghton add our thanks to K-R’s. One hundred percent of the gifts to the Student Scholarship Fund are awarded to Houghton students and to scholar-servants like K-R. Your gifts equip them to lead and labor in a changing world! Thank you.
Luke Crawford '14
Luke Crawford ‘14 grew up in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand, the son of missionaries. He stands 6 feet 5 inches with red hair and freckles. Luke has a commanding presence and always wears a big smile. He is a young man who reflects Christ in his life and inspires Christ in others. He is also quite accomplished.
“I played basketball, track, soccer, volleyball, street hockey, ice hockey, golf, tennis, bowling and ping pong in school,” he said, without skipping a beat. No surprise that Luke was interested in college sports. Despite this inner drive, Luke did something unexpected after high school. When he graduated in 2009 he took a year off before starting college.
“I wanted to take a gap year, to take some classes and play sports,” he said. He went on some short-term mission trips, led a youth group, and volunteered with local homeschool groups. Yet, his primary purpose during that time was to seek God’s leading and pray.
During that time, a Houghton College admission representative came to Luke’s home in Thailand. He received regular emails from the Admission Office and Athletic Department. Coach Brad Zarges stayed in regular contact with Luke throughout his decision process. Ultimately, Luke decided to attend Houghton. And with that decision came transition.
“Transition is something everyone experiences in life, but when you are going through a major cultural change it can be difficult,” Luke said. Houghton took that into account. He arrived at the Houghton campus on August 23, 2010 - a full week before classes. He joined 27 other international students for a special orientation session. It helped him acclimate to the environment.
Luke began his first year at Houghton with an intention – to try everything! He played two JV sports, sang in the Men’s Choir, served as the male Chaplain for his class through Student Government, led worship in Mercy Seat, appeared in two Spots (a student variety show), and attended Tuesday lunches for his French-speaking group. He also spoke in chapel and worked at Phonathon.
“I wanted to embrace the host of opportunities Houghton College provided,” he said. Sophomore year presented many more leadership opportunities. Luke helped facilitate a number of activities, including a Human Trafficking Awareness Week. “I had personally known former prostitutes [in Thailand] and people who died of AIDS,” he shared. Luke truly took to heart the call during freshman orientation to share his global perspective with campus. He did other things as well – like helping his class cabinet plan an English country dance and teaching Sunday school.
When asked how his leadership abilities are growing now into his Junior year, Luke gave an unexpected and refreshing answer. “I decided to take a step back; to look for God’s leading and to spend some time with Him. I have found it has given me more chances to minister to people. I want to be a leader, but I don’t have the answers without God’s help.”
In the midst of his junior year, Luke finds himself investing in and serving others, building healthy relationships, and ministering where he is able. “God challenged me to be places and make an internal impact. I strive for that. I strive for authenticity. I want to be authentic in representing Christ to others.”
So what’s next for Luke? His degree would logically lead him toward opportunities for pastoral or parachurch ministry but he says, “Even if I was sweeping streets, I want to be speaking into people’s lives.” Luke calls himself a “plan-aheader,” but in this case he is striving to see what Jesus has planned for him, day to day.
When considering the financial investment of paying for college, Luke had a wise and thoughtful outlook.
“As missionaries, my parents never wanted to go into debt. As part of their mission affiliation, they had some money set aside for my education, but we needed scholarships. Houghton College offered much greater scholarships and grants than other schools. As the son of missionaries, paying for college is a real stretch and challenge. Last year I worked at a military camp all summer long to earn the money to pay for the coming year. If it weren’t for scholarships and grants from Houghton, I would not be here.”
And we are so grateful that he is. Luke adds much to Houghton life. He is a young man of God. He is a smiling face and listening ear. He is an enthusiastic athlete and a committed student. He is a light in the dark for some and a close friend to many. We look forward to seeing where God leads Luke throughout his life.
Please consider making your gift to The Houghton College Student Scholarship Fund today!
You can give your gift online or send it to: Advancement Office, Houghton College, One Willard Avenue, Houghton, NY 14744-0128.
