Twenty-one freshman students who received the highest scholarship awards at Asbury met on Reasoner Green for the first Honors Seminar meeting of the year on Aug. 30. The students introduced themselves to one another and engaged in conversation about Asbury and its leadership themes.
The seminar’s theme for this year is “Finding Joy in the Journey.” Dr. Devin Brown led the seminar and spoke to the students about different doubts they may have currently or during their time at Asbury. His hope for the seminar is to pour into the students and to help them find joy within their lives.
“You all started on a journey two weeks ago, and maybe for most of you it’s the biggest journey of your life,” Brown said to the scholars. “We don’t want you to go on this journey just so you can make it to the end, we want you to find joy all along the way.”
Before Asbury’s scholarship competition this past winter, freshman Lily Romeo was debating on if she would attend Asbury or another university. During the competition, Brown spoke about having faithfulness, and it spoke to Romeo.
“A few weeks later, they called me back and I actually got one of the scholarships,” Romeo said. “It was cool to hear what Dr. Brown said that made me know that I should be here. The faithfulness that he was talking about actually came back to me and it proved itself.”
Romeo was grateful for Brown’s talk at the seminar, and she explained her hesitations before coming to the event. She feared there may be an intense nature between scholars.
“It was really good to hear from Dr. Brown again talking about the joy of our journey. I was actually kind of nervous because I thought everyone would be not exactly ‘high and mighty,’ but really smart,” Romeo said. “He made it known that everyone is fearful in a way of some things, but we’re all going through the same thing and we’re going through it together.”
Scholar Rebekah Gallagher is looking forward to attending the rest of the Honors Seminar meetings.
“It’s nice to have an easy avenue to meet new people,” Gallagher said. “I’ve really enjoyed the first year Honors Seminar. I think I’m going to enjoy the meetings a lot, and I’m excited to help with the presidential scholarship competition, so I’m really excited to be a part of it and everything I’m going to be involved in this year.”
