Miss Sybil Stallings is a Dean’s List student at the University of Georgia. She is chapter president of Alpha Omicron Pi, one of the 14 national social sororities. She serves the Sociology Club as parliamentarian, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship as missions secretary, and is a member of Westminster Fellowship and of Panhellenic Council, the governing board of national social sororities. On a campus of 9,200 students, she was voted one of 15 best-dressed coeds during the 1961–62 academic year, and was nominated for the national title of “Girl of Alpha Omicron Pi.” Her special interest is an enlarging book of inspirational poetry titled “Prisms.”
The greatest truth which I have gradually learned during three years at the University of Georgia has been the ultimate realization that Jesus Christ lives today—this very day—and that he lives and cares for me. How do I know this? Because I have learned that he knows us, as students, much more intimately than we know ourselves. He perceives our anticipations concerning our tomorrows; he understands our sinful nature and forgives us even at the moment we part our lips; and he waits patiently when we find ourselves involved in intellectual discussions of the Bible, and leads us to his truths. He is the same person who cares for the sparrow. How much more then will he care for you … and for me? Yes, I trust Jesus Christ because he is all of these things to me today and is through and in all the future which lies ahead. He is the author and finisher of my faith.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY—Not until college years did I become aware that to me church attendance meant nothing more than a social engagement. I was told that I needed a personal experience with Christ, one of complete surrender, relinquishing the throne of my life to him. I began to evaluate my life and I did this. Since then I have felt a great sense of satisfaction and peace of mind which he has imparted.—KARL DENNISON, 1960–61 student body president.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY—After setting up goals during high school and college and always finding them empty and meaningless, once I had obtained them, I found reality in Christ. My life has changed a great deal since then, and football is no longer my god. My greatest desire is to serve Christ.—NOLAN JONES, varsity halfback.
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA—I heard the cry “be an individual” and “think for yourself.” But few chose to be different and to stand up for their convictions; most preferred to conform to the crowd. I felt there must be more in life. Sensing the void, I decided to discard my prejudices toward God and to examine the claims of Christ. He said that man could live an abundant life and have fellowship with God. He said, “I am the Way.” Finally, I asked Christ to come into my life. He has changed my values, goals, and total outlook. I now know the transforming power of Christ and Christianity.—JACK LEMAN, graduate student in clinical psychology.
BROWN UNIVERSITY—In Jesus Christ, God has shown me the only absolute in a world of many values and attractions. My understanding of this world, my attempt to live, and my value as a person are meaningful only as God in Christ stimulates, directs, and fulfills the life he has given me.—RONALD HARDY, a junior, elected 1961–62 president of Brown-Pembroke Christian Fellowship.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (Berkeley)—What is a life without Christ? What is a cell without a nucleus?… Just as the nucleus is biologically essential for life in a cell, Jesus Christ is spiritually essential for life. Since I have become a Christian, I realize that everyone needs God and the love he offers through Christ, whether one will admit it to himself or not.—LINDA MONTANELLI, psychology major.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles)—My personal trust in the Christ of the Bible has been the most rewarding aspect of life. My relationship with him provides freedom from guilt, loneliness, and anxiety, as well as a stable perspective of the crises of our times. This perspective is centered in God’s revelation through his Son, Jesus Christ, of his redemptive purpose for mankind. Knowing him personally is the greatest thrill of my life!—MARK BIEDEBACH, graduate fellow in the department of biophysics.
CARNEGIE TECH—I am utterly convinced that Jesus Christ is God’s perfect revelation of himself. I place unhesitating trust in him for my personal reconciliation to God and to men, and for the resetting of the direction of my life and character. I am further persuaded that God’s written revelation in Scripture is totally relevant to the deepest problems and experiences of life.—JOHN M. DISHMAN, graduate student in physics; selected as outstanding senior at Georgia Tech.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO—After weighing the evidences, I realized I would have to either accept or reject God’s gift. I accepted by inviting Jesus Christ to come into my heart and become my Saviour and Lord, and he did. As I gave myself completely to him, he began to live out his life through me. I began to experience real joy, a solid peace, specific answers to specific prayers, and his overwhelming adequacy in every situation.—SWEDE ANDERSON, 1959–60 student body president.
Carrying the flag of the United States in the 1960 Olympiad in Rome was a tall, dignified American Negro named Rafer Johnson, UCLA’s track and field Hercules, who set a new world record of 8,303 points in the decathlon—ten special events constituting a whole trackmeet in miniature. In 1958 he had traveled to Russia to compete in the U.S.-U.S.S.R. trackmeet just weeks after Kuznetsov of Russia had set a new world’s record; in one of the most spirited athletic duels of modern times, in Moscow, Johnson beat Kuznetsov and set a new world mark. At UCLA Johnson was a leader both off and on the cinder track, taking active part in Youth for Christ and serving as student body president in his senior year. Recently signed for the leading role in the historical film The Fiercest Heart, he maintains a devout life.
All the trophies and championships received from men will pass away. I would rather strive to be the greatest Christian than the greatest athlete because when the lights go out it will be the Christian team, coached by Christ the Saviour, that will finally win. Since that night I took Jesus Christ into my life, every phase of my life has been so much fuller and richer, socially, academically, athletically, and spiritually.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO—Several years ago I began a search for God. I turned to science, nature, and philosophy. Though these convinced me there is a God, they didn’t help me find him. Then a man showed me that I could not find God but God must find me through Jesus Christ, his Son.… When I finally let Christ rule my life, I began to experience the true joy of Christian living.—JOE ROMIG, who gained 1960 Big Eight Conference football honors.
DARTMOUTH COLLEGE—Through the eyes of a personal faith in Jesus Christ I see what life really is and what I, as a man, must do to live this life to its fullest. Presently, I do not know all of the answers, but I am confident that through His revelation he will make the way clear.—DARYL R. ERICKSON, president of the Dartmouth College bands.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA—After trying to discipline my life to Christian standards and realizing the inner frustration of failure, I put my complete trust in Jesus Christ to discipline my life. My personal experience of God’s power as promised to man in the Bible has assured me that the personal relationship to God revealed in the New Testament is the only answer to man’s problem today!—MACK CRENSHAW, varsity basketball player and returning letterman on the tennis team.
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL—I thank Almighty God for his revelation of divine justice and love contained in the Bible and in the person of Jesus Christ. I have discovered, and continue to find, that a personal commitment to Christ as Saviour and Redeemer brings forgiveness and fellowship with God, and provides motivation, direction, and challenge for my life.—ROGER G. MARK, presently in a combined educational program leading to an M.D. from Harvard Medical School and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from M.I.T.; past president of M.I.T.’s chapter of Eta Kappa Nu (electrical engineering honor society).
HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL—Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” My entire Christian experience has been one of a growing understanding of the meaning and relevance of this claim. My life’s goal is to make known this stupendous truth to those who have not yet realized its significance.—SEPPO E. RAPO, third-year medical student.
JULLIARD SCHOOL OF MUSIC—Christianity is more to me than material for intellectual games. It is Christ’s influence in making me like himself, replacing the urge to push myself ahead without consideration of others. Through absorbing God’s Word daily I become a “partaker of the divine nature,” which leads me even higher than my own ambition.—STEPHEN CLAPP, Candidate for Diploma in 1963 and member of this year’s Student Council.
KUTZTOWN STATE COLLEGE—Since I’ve been in college Jesus Christ has become more than my Saviour. He is relevant to everyday life—tests, gab sessions, activities, and even the Cuban crisis; to be able to leave such practical things to his guidance and concern gives me confidence and peace. Freedom cannot come with democracy, education, and the like. Man is captive within himself. We can only experience true freedom when we realize our need of complete dependence on Christ.—GAIL MANNHERZ, major in secondary education in the area of foreign languages; recently pledged to Kappa Delta Pi (national honorary society in education).
MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY—Although I had gone to church and Sunday school all my life, I did not experience a real, living relationship with God until I invited Jesus Christ into my heart. Since then my trust in God has increased as I have studied the Bible and pursued scientific studies and research. I am now fully convinced both in my heart and in my mind that a personal trust in Jesus Christ as the only Saviour from sin and the Giver of a new life which begins in this world and continues in the next is the only hope for individuals and for the world today. I have found that science students are looking for something which is not only reasonable, but which works—that is, can be tested and proven in the laboratory of life. I recommend a careful consideration of the claims and promises of Christ to any student of science.—A. JAMES WAGNER, doctoral studies in meteorology; B.A. honors graduate in physics from Wesleyan University.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY—I have given Jesus Christ complete control of my life. A personal relationship with him has filled me with peace, power, and purpose. The Bible has come alive with relevant passages that guide all of life. How could I ever distrust the One whose love and grace give me such an abundant life?—BOB ANDRINGA, president of the Interfraternity Council and of his sophomore class, and recipient of outstanding junior award.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY—The difference between triviality and true value is often subtle. I recognized a need for a strong foundation, something true and absolute but relevant to every area of life. I discovered that Christ is the answer to that need. The Bible taught me, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”—BOB CAMPBELL, communications arts major.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA—Godly parents in a Christian home showed to me my need of Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, and I put my trust in him while yet a child. This early faith continues and helps me to meet the tests of a college student—both the intellectual and the spiritual ones. Indeed as we see the search of students for direction, for truth and knowledge, for an objective in life, the words of Christ saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” find their application.—GAIL COTTRELL, Dean’s List student and vice president of the Arts College Board.
NORTH DAKOTA STATE—I have surrendered to Christ’s claims on my life, and have discovered that I am now on talking terms with God, and that he meets every need I have as a student.—KEN NELSON, Blue Key award for religious leadership and president of his freshman class; now a junior.
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY—A student’s religion, or lack of it, affects every area of his life on campus. For life begins when a man receives Jesus Christ as Saviour; it continues as he abides in Him through faith. A personal relationship with Christ provides life with purpose, direction, peace, and the greatest joy that can be known.—DAVID A. LARSON, awarded research assistantship as a graduate student after graduation from Purdue University “with highest distinction.”
UNIVERSITY OF OREGON—After talking with my roommate about the person of Christ, I made the most important choice of my life—that of inviting Him into my heart. Now that I know him, I have a new sense of direction that I had never known. The actual presence of Christ in my life is thrilling.—STEVE BARNETT, tackle on the varsity football team.
PORTLAND STATE COLLEGE—Throughout history man has been unable to live a peaceful, satisfying life without God, and it is no different today. I know I will be spending eternity with God, because Christ died for my sins and was resurrected bodily. Knowing this removes fears and gives purpose to my life. I owe everything to Christ.—JIM YOUNG, president of the 1963 graduating class and member of the forensics team.
SMITH COLLEGE—I had tried a lot of solutions to the riddle “where am I going? and why am I here?” Good grades, accumulated social activities, and beaux were insufficient. In the last two years I have found that the claims and promises of Jesus Christ to his followers are the only answer to life. Instead of that war inside between what I knew I should do and what I did, there is new unity and harmony at the center of my life. Instead of running away from or falling under those daily problems that arise, I have a new strength that enables me to meet and go through any obstacles. Jesus said he came to bring us each an abundant life, and he does just that.—VIRGINIA GROSE, Senior, house officer.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA—When I first came to USC, I found myself searching for happiness and true purpose in life which college did not seem to offer.… I found something which has utterly changed my life. It is a personal relationship with Christ.—GINNI MCKOON, music major.
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS—I can say that the excitement and adventure of the true Christian life is greater than winning a thousand races.—JOHNNY COTTEN, quarter-miler for the Texas “Longhorns.”
Miss Carole D. Reinhart is a senior at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1960 she was honored as “National College Queen” and in 1962 as Miami’s Homecoming Senior Princess. She served as Associated Women Students Orientation Chairman in 1962–63. She is attending on a symphony scholarship (first student trumpet). She has been treasurer of Sigma Alpha Iota (Women’s Professional Music Fraternity), and has made guest cornet and trumpet appearances in Europe and Great Britain. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, vice president of Delta Theta Mu, and secretary of Nu Kappa Tau.
Music has always been a major part of my life, and it was through music that I found Christ as a personal Friend and Saviour. Through music I’m trying to serve him.
And what could be more fitting in this time of fear and uncertainty than to use the “universal language”—music—to tell others of the peace and harmony found only in Christian living!
It isn’t always easy, especially as a college student, but then it’s reassuring to have His promise, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20).
I love Christ, and want to go on praising him “with the sound of the trumpet.”
