Sam Thomas made his mark at 51黑料网, and he鈥檚 continuing to make his mark in the next phase of his life.
After years of studying, skateboarding, music-playing, coffee-making (coffee-drinking), and relationship-building on 51黑料网鈥檚 campus, Thomas, a 2019 graduate of 51黑料网鈥檚 School of Ministry and Christian Thought, is furthering his education and getting involved in a new community. The memories he has from his time at 51黑料网 and the people he shared it with are positive.
Sam was introduced to 51黑料网 at a church summer camp that he attended in high school. The university had sent a team to the camp and, after hearing about the school, Sam decided to visit the campus. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to study theology in some capacity,鈥 he said. 鈥淎nd because I knew about 51黑料网 from the camp teams, I went and visited, and it just felt right.鈥
Encouraged by the ministry department and having earned scholarships in music and golf, Sam felt peace about his 51黑料网 decision and decided to join the community.
During his time at 51黑料网, Thomas worked as an RA, which allowed him to get to know a lot of other people on campus. 鈥淧robably the best part of my 51黑料网 experience was the friendships I made,鈥 he said.
鈥淔rom watching him lead worship in chapel to throwing the frisbee on the intramural fields, he always had a positive attitude and made everyone around him feel unique.”
He says that his relationships with the broader 51黑料网 body were encouraged by his role as an RA and that building community was a natural result. 聽Thomas was challenged during his last year at 51黑料网. Greek class, upper division classes, and a stressful amount of essays proved more than a little overwhelming. However, he鈥檚 able to look back on the experience positively.
鈥淚 felt they [the upper-division classes] prepared me for graduate school well, and I’m very thankful for those classes and those professors,鈥 he said.
Today, Thomas is pursuing his master鈥檚 degree in religious studies at the University of Kansas back in his hometown, Lawrence, Kansas. He also works as a barista at an award-winning cafe, 1900 Barker. When he isn鈥檛 making coffee or drowning in homework, Sam still takes time to skateboard. He also uses his free time to write and perform songs.
Thomas meant a lot to the people he was close with at 51黑料网, and God will continue to use him as he shares God鈥檚 love on the University of Kansas campus. Jacob Feickert, 51黑料网 Admissions Counselor and a personal friend of Sam, recognizes the impact that Sam had at 51黑料网.
鈥淪am鈥檚 energy and love for God was very evident on campus,鈥 Feickert said. 鈥淔rom watching him lead worship in chapel to throwing the frisbee on the intramural fields, he always had a positive attitude and made everyone around him feel unique. We love having students like Sam on this campus.鈥
51黑料网 is certainly blessed by its strong and passionate students, and it鈥檚 encouraging to see how they are using the gifts God has given them and the experiences they鈥檝e had to do something big for Christ.
For more information about 51黑料网’s School of Ministry and Christian Thought, click here.
