A unique semester nears its end
Southern Wesleyan University students participate in a Zoom session for one of Rev. Brent Dongell’s classes (Dongell is on the top row, second from left). The university is just days away from ending a semester like none other. Dongell is associate professor of youth ministry at the university’s Division of Religion.
Like most institutions of higher learning, Southern Wesleyan University has been faced with decisions they never have had to make, venturing into uncharted territory.
Normally the Central campus is abuzz with activities as the spring semester would have kicked into high gear in April – breaking out into a mad sprint from the end of Spring Break to graduation day. Because of federal and state restrictions on gatherings and social distancing arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic, the campus is quiet and most buildings are closed.
Joining the 45 percent of online students, mostly working adults, are students who normally attend classes on campus. While on-campus students are of a generation thought of as highly tech-savvy, the adjustments are still significant as they seek to continue their studies and recapture a sense of community through the online learning management system, Zoom meetings, social media and other means.
Graduating seniors' perspective
For graduating seniors, the end of this semester means a bittersweet conclusion to a chapter in life where their communities became abruptly redefined.
Jennifer Moreno Ortiz, a senior Human Services graduate, said, “I was heartbroken when SWU announced that graduation would be done virtually due to what is happening with COVID-19. I'm a first generation college student so this meant a lot to my family and me. However, I understand the precautions we must take and I choose to not let this situation take away everything I have accomplished.”
Though sharing the disappointment of others, music education major Zach Wheeler still sees bright spots.
“Obviously, this was not the way I or any senior would like to end our four years at SWU; however, the amount of perseverance and determination I have seen come from the Class of 2020 is amazing,” Wheeler said. “While this is such a bittersweet time for us even more intensified because of the uncertainty, I can truly say we have banded together as a family. We are all experiencing pain and grief, but we know with the power of the Holy Spirit and each other, we will get through this and be stronger because of it.”
Monica Keever, a senior majoring in Biology, focuses on the words “joy” and “trust” as she navigates the last days of her education at Southern Wesleyan.
“Through so many circumstances that may tell me to choose otherwise, I refuse to let Satan take away the joy that I have for living. I will trust in the Lord and that his plan his bigger than my circumstances. A graduation ceremony is temporary, but the truths that I have come to know will last a lifetime,” Keever said.
Student perspective
For students, new pressures are being faced without the comfort of face-to-face support (except maybe via Zoom or FaceTime).
Katie Daly was traveling home from a Spring Break mission trip where she and a group of students were working with Samaritans Purse helping residents of La Grange, Tex., repair their hurricane-ravaged homes.
“I had just spent a week with such authentic people, and I was so excited to go back to school with these new friendships and a fresh perspective from Jesus. At first, I wasn't sure I could handle the transition to online,” said Daly. “I have always desired to have a community on campus, and I felt like I had finally found it. This is the first semester of my senior year. I will be in the classroom full time in the fall, so I won't be around campus very much. I was looking forward to the memories and I was heartbroken when that was taken away. Despite this, I have found joy in my current circumstance.”
“I desperately miss laughing with friends, having conversations with my professors, participating in choir, traveling with University Singers, getting coffee from Blue Hill, late night homework and Waffle House runs with friends, being able to complete my education field placements in a kindergarten class I absolutely adored, hearing great messages of encouragement daily from faculty as I’d see them around campus, and simply living in the SWU community each day,” said Katherine Wiggins, a second semester junior.
Professor perspective
For faculty there has been the challenge to move their courses online and make major adjustments.
“Together, we are working hard to make sure they have a strong finish to this semester. We're trying applications such as Zoom and Crowdcast, and it has been a learning process for all of us,” said Dr. Chad Chisholm, associate professor of English.
“Honest answer? Classes are going really well for some and then for other students they are struggling,” said Dr. Andrea Summers, professor of religion. Summers adds that during Zoom sessions for her Spiritual Formation class, many of her students stick around after class to talk about how they’re doing, ask questions about course content or ask for prayer.
Dr. Lewis Knight has had regular Zoom meetings with his students, and while there are some assignments that can be completed online, others are limited, like productions taking place within the university’s Digital Media Center (DMC).
“I hate not being in that lab with the students. I miss the ability to walk around and work with them as they are on their laptops and the lab computers, raising their hands asking questions and me going over to them,” Knight said. Knight tries to have a little fun during Zoom sessions, wearing his many hats while his students do the same.
It’s impossible to replicate some class experiences online, as Music Professor Greg day points out.
“The members in the ensemble cannot experience what they have signed up for without literally being in the chair during the rehearsals and performance,” Day said. “When students sign up to participate in a performing ensemble, they, for the greater part, are signing up to be part of a larger group – to participate as one of many – and to experience the aesthetic ‘rush’ of performance. Compare that to people going on a trip to see a movie about the Grand Canyon and actually going to the Grand Canyon. One group experiences the canyon, the other just sees it.”
While Professor Brent Dongell misses hearing the laughter and conversations of his students while they are in his classroom, he feels that being able to work from home makes him more available to his newborn child, more so than would be possible with time spent commuting to and from work.
“I still get the same nerves going online for a live teaching that I did going into a classroom. I still process new ways to teach before and after a class teaching and I’m still regularly thinking about and interact with my students regarding assignments and life,” Dongell said. “If I were wanting to say something to professors and students about this time I would say ‘If we are who we say we are as a community, then we've got this! When we are walking with God through the high and low seasons, we will fear no evil (Psalm 23), and when we walk through a refiner's fire or experience testing, some of the unnecessary things may fall away, but the quality is grown or remains and is proven true through these type of seasons!”
Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.
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