Posted on Thursday, August 10, 2023
The start of a new school year can bring a feeling of excitement, but also anxiety for students away from home for the first time. The Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins '08, who joined the institution this summer as Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life, aspires to provide a warm and accepting environment for the campus community.
"I want to cheer students on and be with them during their hardships,” Jenkins said. “If a student is having difficulty in class, making friends or finding their place in college, I would love to listen to them and assist them in locating campus resources.”
She said her journey to LaGrange College, where she met her husband Trey ’08, began with former LC Chaplain Quincy Brown.
“I first met Quincy when he was the associate pastor at my grandparent’s church,” Jenkins said. “After he left the church, he became LC's Chaplain. When I started looking at schools, my grandparents reminded me about Quincy working in LaGrange and told me to check out LaGrange College.”
She said another person who played a critical role in her becoming a student on the Hill was Amy Baxter ’06, who was an LC ambassador.
“When my mom and I came to LaGrange College, Amy was our tour guide,” Jenkins said. “After that first encounter, I developed a bond with Amy. She became my roommate a year later and remains a dear friend to this day.”
Jenkins said her religion classes at the college helped in her decision to pursue ministry.
“It was wonderful to study under such renowned scholars and then also wrestle with my call to ministry,” she said. “Writing a paper about faith and praying about my calling at the same time affirmed my calling and made me fall in love with God even deeper.”
During her undergraduate years, Jenkins was a Servant Scholar and held leadership roles in student organizations.
After graduating from LaGrange, she pursued a ministry degree at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Rev. Jenkins worked at different churches in the North Georgia United Methodist Conference before being appointed as LC’s Chaplain this summer. She has served as President of the LC Alumni Executive Committee.
Jenkins said she looks forward to getting to know the students at the first worship service of the semester on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m., in the Chapel.
“I want the students to know that they matter to me and the faculty and staff,” she said. “Everything we do is for our students.”
The event will feature President Baxter, Dr. John Head (Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience), Dr. Clay Bolton (Sports Management Associate Professor), Pastor Pete Shoger (SouthCrest Church) and Pastor Andy Buchanan ’89 (Mission Strategist for Troup Baptist Association) as guest speakers.
Jenkins said the Sunday night worship services will count as Collegiate Enrichment events starting this semester.
“Students may use up to 10 Chapel worship services as CE events,” she said.
This year, Spiritual Life has added Dr. Bolton's prayer and praise service on Thursdays at lunchtime and 'Panther Positivity,' a monthly event where students write uplifting messages.
During the week, students can also take part in different student-led religious organizations that meet on campus.
“We have Baptist Collegiate Ministry on Monday nights, Wesley Fellowship on Tuesday nights, Reformation (Presbyterian) on Wednesday nights and Connect (Non-Denominational group from SouthCrest Church) on Thursday nights,” Rev. Jenkins said.
LC Spiritual Life also hosts a weekly Soul Food event, which occurs on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. on the bottom floor of Turner Hall. Local churches bring homemade casseroles to campus.
To learn more about Spiritual Life, students can email Rev. Jenkins at ajenkins@kongtiao11.com or visit her office on the second floor of Smith Hall.
Tuesday – Playfair, 6 p.m., Residential Quad
Wednesday – Glow golf, 8 p.m., Residential Quad
Thursday – Scavenger hunt, 10:30 a.m., Downtown LaGrange; Luau, 8 p.m., Residential Quad and Boopie.
Friday – Fair on the Hill, 10 a.m., Caswell Plaza and Quad; Hypnotist, 8 p.m., Callaway Auditorium; Casino night, 10 p.m., Boopie and Dickson.
Saturday – Men’s Soccer scrimmage, 3 p.m., Panther Field; Foam party, 9 p.m., Residential Quad (Mariotti Gym in case of rain)
Sunday – Women’s Soccer scrimmage, 11 a.m., Panther Field; Sunday night worship, 8 p.m., Chapel.
Faculty, staff and students from a variety of student organizations held a welcome program last month for minority incoming freshmen and transfer students. Leaders and members from LC Multicultural Affairs, Black Student Union, Black Male Initiative and LC Pride introduced their organizations, served food and participated in a panel discussion for parents and incoming students. Faculty and staff provided information to incoming students and their parents about on-campus academic programs and resources. Clinical Mental Health Counseling Assistant Professor Dr. Justin Muller organized the event along with several undergraduate students, including Marissa Oliver ’25, Eddie Montgomery ’24, Isaiah Richardson ’26, D'Ashley Trammel ’24 and Morgan Jones ’25. "It's important for incoming freshmen and transfer students to establish relationships with current students and faculty,” Dr. Muller said. “The student volunteers made sure each incoming student felt welcomed at LaGrange College. They fielded questions from students and parents and provided insight on how to be successful at LC. The student volunteers will serve as mentors for our incoming freshmen and transfer students throughout the school year.”
Prepare for a fulfilling, high-demand career by studying Aviation at LaGrange College.
Flight training is conducted at nearby LaGrange Callaway Airport (10 minutes from campus) in conjunction with our aviation partner Paragon Flight Training. For more information, visit kongtiao11.com/aviation.
Category: Students, College, Faculty
Keywords: Religion, Ministry
