Jeslyn Roat and Chad Radford, both juniors at Olivet Nazarene University, are the 2017 recipients of Olivet’s annual presentation of The David and Ella Elwood Servant Leadership Award. They were nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students for this honor. Each has demonstrated — through a variety of service opportunities — the qualities of a servant’s heart.
Now in its 10th year at Olivet, this award recognizes juniors who demonstrate the qualities of a servant’s heart. As part of the award, each recipient receives $1,000. Of that amount, $250 is donated to the charity of his or her choice. Jeslyn has designated Kankakee Pregnancy Resource Center. Chad has designated the Alzheimer’s Association.
Jeslyn Roat is a social work major from Greenville, Illinois. She has served as a reading volunteer for a local elementary school, a children’s church volunteer, a mentor to junior high students, a volunteer at a pregnancy resource center — to name just a few of her many service activities. She has also had the privilege of being part of three mission trip experiences.
After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate school or go directly into a social work career.
“My motivation to serve is rooted in the belief that I have been called by Christ to serve others,” Jeslyn says. “I believe God has wired me for my future vocation as a full-time social worker. I’m ready to help anyone He places in my path. I want to lead as a servant and by following Christ’s example.”
Chad Radford is a psychology major from Roseville, Michigan. As the junior class chaplain, he has also been part of the Party With Jesus student-led worship and volunteered with Mission Possible, a ministry to inmates. He has served as a Preaching Ambassador, an Alpha group leader and as a captain for the Team World Vision marathon run to help provide clean water for Africa’s people.
After graduation, he plans to work with people through the area of counseling. He believes that working with the entire family unit, not just the individual, is the key to helping families find harmony.
“I believe that through serving others, a Christian is able to be Christ in the world,” says Chad. “Christ humbled himself to the position of a servant and displayed a better way of life by being a servant to those He was leading.”
The Servant Leadership Award program is funded by the David and Ella Elwood Foundation to promote and foster servant leadership in the Olivet community and around the world. Dr. David Elwood ’55 is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Elwood Staffing Services, Inc., a leading provider of talent-based solutions. Ella Elwood ’57 is a Century 21 real estate agent in Columbus, Indiana. They have been married for 60 years and have three sons and eight grandchildren.
“The Elwoods represent all the qualities we celebrate as an Olivet community,” said Dr. John C. Bowling, University president. “Their lives remind us that success is not just about the bottom line, but about relationships and achieving a higher purpose.”
To learn more about Olivet’s undergraduate degree programs and service opportunities, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
