Seminary Students Learn and Teach as RDs

The fact that EMU houses undergraduate studies as well as seminary students, provides unique and interesting possibilities for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Four seminary students, Cindy Voth, Nan Kanagy, Luke Mullet, and Jonathan Bowman, have taken advantage of this unique setup by taking on the roles of residence directors. Each resident director is responsible for a certain dorm and handles issues such as discipline and the planning of fun activities for the residents.

They interact closely with a group of community assistants, student leaders who live on and are responsible for their floors, and help provide a friendly living environment for all their residents. They are also very involved in helping students become settled in their dorms the first day of school, and helping them with any logistical questions they may have.

The combination of resident director and seminary student provides unique ministry opportunities. The RD is a perfect fit for people who enjoy interacting with and getting to know a large number of people. An important part of the RD position is that it allows seminary students to get hands-on experience with the concepts they learn in class. Commented Voth, "My position as an RD provides a ministry outlet for me so that not all the classes I'm taking at seminary goes in one ear and out the other. In many ways being an RD is ministry."

Residence directors interact with all students in their dorm to some extent, but the strongest connections are often formed with the community assistants. "I especially value the relationships I form with the CAs that I supervise," said Voth, "My prayer is that through my relationships with my residents, I am able to encourage them in their faith as they make decisions about their vocation and God's calling in their lives. I am very blessed to be in this position!"

Students benefit greatly from the wisdom and influence of the RDs. Those who often benefit the most from relationships with the RD are the CAs, who see their RD at least once a week for their special CA class. As an RD, Voth often takes on the role of mentor to her CAs. Rachael Clemmer, CA on Elmwood 3rd South, commented, "She is someone I feel very comfortable with. She gives me support through her everyday interactions and also prayerfully. She's like my mom, friend, and mentor."

Other CAs greatly value their informal relationship with their RD. Mike Charles, CA on Oakwood 3rd south, commented about his RD, Luke Mullet, "I really value his friendship. He treats me like a peer, not as if he was my boss, which he is. I have learned a lot from him, being able to rub shoulders with an educated, quality guy allows you to grow yourself."

EMU's small student body size allows for very personal interactions between the CAs and RDs, which would be impossible at a larger institution. Many RDs choose to make food, visit, or send care packages to their CAs. Mike Charles commented about Mullet's informal activities, "Luke had a CA dinner in his suite, and he has these often, about once every other week. We were just chilling there for about two hours. We didn't talk about official CA stuff, just about life."