Posted on Friday, April 14, 2023
When a disaster would strike, former children’s television host Mister Rogers would tell his viewers to “look for the helpers.” Fort Myers Beach residents, who experienced the immense force of Hurricane Ian in Sept. 2022, received much needed relief from LC students, faculty and staff, who traveled to the area as part of their spring break service-learning trip.
Upon their arrival, the college group rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work assisting homeowners with debris removal in 95-degree weather, a record high for the area. In addition to helping with the cleanup, they also prayed with the residents.
“Our students got to experience the spiritual impact of getting to know the people they were serving, as well as doing the actual work,” said the Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at LC. “I really believe that the spiritual growth for the students and the residents we helped was even more significant than any physical labor we accomplished. That's what always happens on trips like these as we meet God in the midst of acts of service.”
This year’s trip was made possible thanks to Florida Conference Disaster Recovery of the United Methodist Church, the sponsoring organization; Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, who served as the host; and Pine Mountain United Methodist Church, who helped underwrite the trip.
Roberts said the six-day excursion, formerly known as alternative spring break, was the first one to happen since the pandemic.
“Before 2020, the spring break trip had become a cornerstone of the spiritual life experience at LC,” he said. “In 2018, we took 25 students, our largest group. This year’s trip was a huge piece of rebuilding the spiritual life program and its student leaders as we move into the future.”
Freshman Aria Mabry, along with four other students on this year’s trip, were moved by the stories told by the storm survivors.
“One woman told us how she rode out the storm on her kitchen counter with her daughter and two dogs and how her husband and her brother were wading in the flood waters that had taken over their house,” Mabry said. “I was heartbroken for her because I know how scary that must have been. She said they stayed in that flooded house for almost three weeks before they could get out.”
Junior Jonyka Tenney said they helped lift the spirits of the people they assisted.
“When we were talking to one of the residents, they expressed that they had given up already but just by us coming down to help them it changed their perspective and helped them realize better days are ahead,” she said.
“Hearing their stories made me really realize I need to count my blessings!” said freshman Aubrey Helton. “I should be beyond grateful for what I have, and not take things for granted.”
Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures, who also served on the trip, said he witnessed the transformative power of prayer when gathered in a circle with the Rev. Roberts, the students and the homeowners.
“One resident told me, ‘Your group is giving us the strength to make it through,’” Dr. Tures said.
Roberts said his fellow travelers made this trip a memorable one.
“I will always remember this group of students who kept going when they were exhausted, who kept good attitudes no matter what and who chose a spring break exertion, service and sacrifice over rest and relaxation,” he said. “I believe that God has made them stronger for it.”
Check LC Connect for Virtual CE events and instructions
Friday, April 14
Jared McGregor Senior Vocal Recital
7 p.m., Beason Recital Hall, West Side
Saturday, April 15
Erika Hill and Stevie Nix Senior Recital
7 p.m., Beason Recital Hall, West Side
Monday, April 17
Financial Awareness
4 p.m., Room 307, Smith Hall
Tuesday, April 18
Servant Scholars Colloquium: Project Doctrina Vitae
11:15 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room, Turner Hall
Thursday, April 20
Undergraduate Research Honor's Day Symposium
11 a.m., Lewis Library
Thursday, April 20
Honor’s Day
4 p.m., Callaway Auditorium
3D Journeys - Dr. Nina Dulin-Mallory "Poets of Tuscany"
Longtime LaGrange College English professor Dr. Nina Dulin-Mallory MEd’81 presents the final 3D Journeys lecture of the season entitled "Chaucer and Shakespeare Send Roses: Their Thanks to the Poets of Tuscany."
Men’s Lacrosse
LaGrange stepped up and held on to a narrow 21-20 victory over Methodist on Saturday, April 8. Freshman Luke Young anchored the Panthers' effort with five goals, two assists and two groundballs. Junior Ben Bryan drilled home five goals with a game-high seven groundballs. Sophomore Andrew Brown registered three scores, three assists, three groundballs and two caused turnovers.
Freshman Luke Young earned his fifth Rookie of the Week. On the year, he has come away with 37 goals and 13 assists for 50 points.
Golf
To close out the regular season, the Panthers competed at The Shoals Intercollegiate tournament Monday, April 10-Tuesday, April 11 in Florence, Alabama, where they finished in 14-of-16 with rounds of 315-315-292-922. Freshman Jeremy Edmunds tied for 19-of-96 with rounds of 73-79-69-221, authoring a round that would tie for the second lowest of the day. Fellow freshman Garrett Armbrust would be the next highest finisher, firing rounds of 83-77-72-232.
Softball
LaGrange erupted for 30 runs and 25 hits in a pair of victories over Berea, 11-0 and 19-1, on Saturday, April 8. Freshman Katelyn Minnihan led the Panthers with two RBIs and two runs scored. In the circle, freshman Claire Chamberlain was masterful as she allowed just two hits and struck out six in just three innings. During the second game, Junior Lindsey Green led the way for LC with a 2-for-3 day that saw her drive home three and score twice herself. On Tuesday, the Panthers earned a split against one of the top teams in the Collegiate Conference of the South as they upset Huntingdon 10-2 in a five-inning opener and fell 6-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader game. In the first game, senior Abbey Gardner and junior Marley Smith each went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, the latter with a double.
Freshman Katelyn Minnihan earned her first Rookie of the Week. On the year, she is hitting .328, slugging .410 and has an on-base percentage of .379 with 10 runs and five RBIs.
Baseball
The Panthers delivered a 4-1 victory over Oglethorpe on Tuesday, April 11. Senior Rhett Mixon fueled the offense for the Panthers with two runs, two RBIs and a double. Freshman Curt Bonner added a 2-for-4 day with an RBI. Freshman Jackson McElvy was 2-for-4 with a run and stolen base, and junior David Smigelski smacked a double to round out the offense.
Freshman Curt Bonner was named Player and Rookie of the Week and junior Dalton Brooks Pitcher of the Week. On the year, Bonner is hitting .440 (33-of-75) and slugging .640. He has an on-base percentage of .506 with five doubles, two triples, two homeruns, six walks and 24 RBIs in 22 games. Brooks produced an impressive effort in the back half of a doubleheader on April 6 that helped lead the Panthers to the sweep of Belhaven. On the season, he is 2-1 with 51 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 35 innings of work.
(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)
Friday, April 14 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 4 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Friday, April 14 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Piedmont, 4 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 15 – Softball (Home) vs. Agnes Scott, noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Saturday, April 15 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Covenant, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 15 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Covenant, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts
Saturday, April 15 – Baseball at Piedmont, 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Sunday, April 16 – Softball (Home) vs. Piedmont, noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex
Sunday, April 16 – Baseball at Piedmont, 1 p.m., Demorest, Georgia
Monday, April 17 – Golf at Collegiate of the South Championship (Round 1), Dalton, Georgia
Tuesday, April 18 – Golf at Collegiate of the South Championship (Round 2), Dalton, Georgia
Tuesday, April 18 – Softball at Maryville, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Maryville, Tennessee
Tuesday, April 18 – Baseball vs. Birmingham-Southern, 7 p.m., Oxford, Alabama
Wednesday, April 19 – Golf at Collegiate Conference of the South Championship (Final Round), Dalton, Georgia
Wednesday, April 19 – Men’s Lacrosse (Home) vs. Piedmont, 7 p.m., Callaway Stadium
Category: Faculty, Service, Students
Keywords: Religion, Travel
