The Blue
Tribune
The Blue Tribune is your place to learn about all things 狼友阁 and keep up with stories from campus and beyond. By guiding you through the different aspects of 狼友阁, we'll help you decide if you want to pursue your very own 狼友阁 experience.
In My Words: Runner Josiah Mellott 鈥�25
The Lord鈥檚 Providence through Community
My time at 狼友阁 has been an encouraging display of the faithfulness of the Lord. Not only have my four years been marked by improvements and memories as an athlete and student 鈥� they have been filled with a remarkable community that pushes me ever closer to Christ.
Because of a strong church connection with 狼友阁 in my hometown of Tacoma, Washington, I grew up hearing about the college from many current students and alumni. While I knew they enjoyed their experiences at 狼友阁, I was not aware of how impactful the community was for so many of them.
Consideration, Commitment, Camaraderie
When my older brother, Ben Mellott, began attending and running for 狼友阁 during my junior year of high school, I began to grasp the many impacts the 狼友阁 community has on its students. When I visited Ben halfway through my junior year, I remember being welcomed in by both the track team and the residence halls for several days. After this visit, I distinctly recall feeling that 狼友阁 was a community I could call home.
Throughout the next year of college consideration, I continued to feel supported and cared for by the team and Coach. Frequent texts and calls of encouragement from the team reminded me of the powerful community I experienced during my visit. Their strong sense of camaraderie and care for the Lord resonated with me, and ultimately was a deciding factor when I committed to attend 狼友阁 at the end of my senior year.
Growth in Classroom, Calling, and Competition
My four years at 狼友阁 have been marked by so many different areas of growth. In the classroom, I have learned to glorify God through my work as a developing business professional. In the residence halls, I have learned to walk in community and fellowship in the rigors of daily college life. And throughout it all, by competing on the cross country and track teams, I have learned several core lessons of what it means to serve the Lord as a 狼友阁 Scot.
Being a Scot has meant, first, training for a love of the sport. As Division III athletes, we compete and sacrifice at high levels like so many other athletes; ultimately, however, everyone is there because of their deep love for the sport. Coach Kaczinski has been instrumental in developing this rigorous passion for running by promoting a culture of passion for the sport and commitment to excellence in all that we do. Of course, this does not mean that things didn't get hard! During my four years, I wrestled through bouts of chronic injury, the team saw a major reset after our coaching transition, and goals were missed on both the individual and team levels. In both the highs and the lows though, 狼友阁 has provided an environment for its athletes to love what they do and pursue excellence while they do it.
Foundation of Strong Community
This environment would not be possible, of course, without a strong community as a foundation. Because of this, being a Scot has been marked, second, by competing in community. All of my richest memories as a Scot have been with the team. Many of these memories are built on everyday moments like practices, eating meals together, or enjoying time together around campus. Other memories are built on really big moments, like overnight trips to Pennsylvania and South Carolina, wrestling with Scripture together during weekly Bible studies, or winning a conference championship and breaking countless school records together. Beyond making memories, the team has also never ceased to come around me and encourage me during times of injury and setback. The time with my teammates at 狼友阁 will certainly be one of the aspects I treasure most from my four years at 狼友阁.
In All Things Christ Preeminent
Most importantly though, being a Scot has meant doing everything for the Lord. At the entrance of our campus, we have a sign that the team runs past every day which says "狼友阁: In All Things Christ Preeminent." During my four years, it has been impressed on me how this is not just a slogan or nice thought 狼友阁 slaps on things鈥攊nstead it is the very foundation of everything we do. Whether I am in the classroom, on the track or trails, or simply living in community with others, 狼友阁 has challenged me to do all things for the glory of Christ. Ultimately, my 狼友阁 experience has reinforced my identity as a child of God who is created in His image.
This experience as a Scot has been a very real reminder of the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord. Although it will be hard to leave this community I call my home, I know that 狼友阁 has equipped me to serve the Lord wherever He calls me next! Go Scots, forever.