Last Words from our Seniors of 2009.....

Ashton Coffey

Well, my time here at Wake Forest is drawing to a close.  It is hard to believe that four years went by so very fast!  With all of the graduation craziness that is coming my way, I have tried to pause a few times to reflect on my Wake Forest experience.  And the thing that always comes to my mind first that has defined my college experience is BSU.  I came to BSU as a freshman, scared and overwhelmed with the new school experience.  It was the thing that I looked forward to every week when school work brought me stress and frustration.  The people at BSU made me feel welcome and at ease.  BSU helped me grow in confidence and security, and I made most of my best friends in BSU.  And from freshman year, every year got exponentially better.  Through BSU I have volunteered at Brookridge Retirement Home and played and sung for our student run worship service.  I have gone on mission trips to New York City and Jubilee Partners in Comer, Georgia.  I have gone to our Horizons Tuesday night service every week for four years.  But I have to say the thing that I have valued most from BSU has been the fellowship.  Late nights in the lounge talking about random who knows what.  Beach week after exams, eating ice cream and playing cards into the wee hours.  Laughing until my sides hurt.  These are the things I recall when I think of my time at BSU, and I am so grateful for the organization.  Now, I am going on to Princeton for seminary; and it is BSU that has helped give me the confidence to go without fear! ~Ashton Coffey

Anna McLeod

My name is Anna McLeod and I am a recent December graduate. In my short time away from Wake, I have traveled in South America and Japan while securing a future at Campbell’s Wiggins School of Law which is moving to Raleigh for the fall of 2009. What's going on with me of late? Well, I have been settling in for this next big adventure while trying to maintain ties with the BSU that I love. In my time, I saw many instances of Christian fellowship and service and I hope to find even more of that as I approach Campbell and leave my home in Waxhaw, N.C. But what have you missed at BSU? Well, I can speak to the continuation of rewarding mission trips to places like New York City and Pearlington, MS. We still have the pleasure of Brother Ed and Jean's company at many Horizons. Our intramural athletic prowess has definitely increased in recent years as we were quite the fierce competitor in such sports as volleyball. I even enjoyed digging a huge hole for a WFU staff member alongside fellow BSUers to raise money for Summer Missions. All of these things have greatly added to my experience at BSU and I look forward to joining you all as alumni once I sign my name on the big Deacon. Note: He is still standing tall. I hope to see many Snowflakes at the upcoming Homecoming. Go Deacs!


Mary Little

My name is Mary Little, and I have been the BSU president this year.  I am from Marion, NC, and am graduating with a BA in Religion.  I'll be going to Boston University School of Theology in the fall of 2010 for a Master of Divinity degree.
The BSU has been such a joy to be a part of during my time at Wake.  Trying to describe and quantify all my experiences would take days, but my "top 5" (not in order) would have to be:
1) Mission trips to Pearlington, Mississippi and Smyrna, Tennessee
2) Weekend Life Teams
3) BEACH WEEK
4) Hoogiebauble
5) spontaneous volleyball games that last for hours.

And then there are the memories that cannot be easily quantified:
1) Late-night lounge talks
2) Covenant Family Spirituality
3) blessings from Foot Washing
4) Christmas Communion
5) University Chapel Services.

Samaritan Inn Soup Kitchen has been "my special ministry" since second semester freshman year.  My BSU Buddy, Whitney Loyd, introduced me to the Kitchen, and I have not stopped going back.  I am a member of the "Friday Team" that serves lunch to the hungry and homeless in Winston.  I look forward to going each week and seeing the regulars who call me by name and we know what's going on in each other's lives.  The lessons in compassion, service, and friendship that I have learned at Samaritan will stay with me as I go on to other cities and schools and jobs. As I join your ranks of being Wake/BSU alums, I hope you will take some time and reflect yourselves on what being in BSU meant to you.  Remember, the journey inward is only part of your calling: let your life speak as you journey outward, living out your Truth boldly.  And always keep asking, "What can I do to change the world"?
Grace, Peace, and Go Deacs!