The college choice is one of the first adult decisions high-school students make. It sets off dozens of other choices, as students carve out their paths for learning and service. When a college boasts a faculty of committed Christians, a student is headed toward knowing what it means to live with God's desires in mind.

The following stories from alums are about faculty who proved that learning that is shown—in shared interests or through an inviting presence—turns learning that is told into a lively encounter.

We are grateful for the college alumni who were willing to share their stories, and to the school offices that collected them. The following versions are taken from first-person accounts.

These students say that educators who believed in them challenged them to give back by lifting up others.

Lauren Anderson, California Baptist University, Riverside, California, 2006.

After a rough start at a state school, Lauren Anderson transferred to California Baptist with her father's encouragement. "I met Gary Bonner, dean of the school of music, the next week," says Anderson. "Dr. Bonner … loves music and its power to yield relationships between performers and listeners." By investing in Anderson, Bonner showed that he had high expectations. "Dr. Bonner believes in his students' dreams, helping us have faith that we can influence the world through music, praise, and discipline." Anderson attests that this has made her aspirations more tangible.

Christian Koch, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida, biology, 1990.

Christian Koch got to know many science professors during his days at Palm Beach Atlantic. He remembers professor Ray Waldner from marine biology classes: "You could see his dedication to the student in the time he spent talking with you. I worked closely with professor Peggy Van Arman as her aide. She was always there to encourage you when you were down." Koch's senior project and field biology classes also brought him close to Gary Goss. "His love for teaching was one of the reasons I am now involved in science education," says Koch. "I only hope that I am able to impact a student's life as they did with me."

Alyce (Cox) Jennings, Malone College, Canton, Ohio, social work, 1997.

Jane Hoyt-Oliver and Alyce (Cox) Jennings share a penchant for complicated social policies, and are passionate about living out the gospel and caring for the poor. "As a professor, Jane was straightforward about our responsibilities as future social workers," Jennings says. She remembers Hoyt-Oliver starting classes with a devotional that emphasized social justice and evangelism. "Jane's faith is evident in everything she does," says Jennings. "She helped us apply Jesus' teachings to current events." The professor and student now work together on a professional basis: As a director at East Akron Community House, Jennings keeps Hoyt-Oliver updated on community issues.

These students went on to accomplish goals that would have been impossible without their educators' devotion.

Jacquie Serr, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, literature, journalism, and modern languages, 2005.

"My department … was overflowing with amazing professors," says Jacquie Serr. However, Charlene Pate became a special mentor to Serr. "My time in college was a struggle. Charlene had her door open to me and offered grace, love, and the gospel." Pate challenged Serr to perform to the best of her ability. "Her passion for literature compelled me to take my craft seriously and to not neglect my God-given passion." When Serr applied to graduate school, she received much help from Pate. "I was moved by her display of commitment to me. … I hope to become the same type of professor who selflessly gives to her students."

Daniel Bishop, California Baptist University, Riverside, California, ministry, 2006.

"Biscuits and gravy, iced tea, and an egg over medium"— Daniel Bishop still remembers his mentor's order from their weekly Tuesday meetings. Bishop believes he had a privilege many students would have cherished: to be mentored by Dan Wilson, the dean of the School of Christian Ministries. "Dr. Dan would listen to me ask questions about homework, the Bible, and my girlfriend," says Bishop. "I loved the fact that he would just listen and pray for me. He has become one of my closest friends over the years. … I was recently hired as a youth pastor and performed my first baptism. Dr. Dan was there front and center, as a nervous 23-year-old attempted to please God and the man who encouraged him to get there."

Jennifer Jolly Rothschild, Palm Beach Atlantic University, West Palm Beach, Florida, psychology, 1986.

As a junior at Palm Beach Atlantic, Jennifer Rothschild had resigned herself to the fact that she needed to take statistics. "Horror stories about this course filled me with dread," says Rothschild. Her greatest anxiety, however, was wondering if she could pull it off as a blind student. When Rothschild told professor Robert Inglis about her anxiety, she says, "He chuckled and replied, 'Maybe you can't pull it off, but we can!' " Inglis guided Rothschild through the textbook and tests. "It was a meticulous process to describe formulas and statistical concepts, but he did so with humor and endurance. I will always love Dr. Inglis for teaching me patience and kindness and showing me that people are worth time and sacrifice."

Becoming all God meant for these students included going beyond normal assumptions about learning and the gospel.

Joshua Schumacher, Concordia University Chicago, Lutheran secondary education, 2007.

Joshua Schumacher is assistant football coach for the Concordia Cougars, and he has fresh memories of the faculty who impacted his life while a student at Concordia. The one who stands out most is Michael Eschelbach, professor of theology and philosophy. Eschelbach runs Cinema Sophia, for which he selects movies that relate to Christianity to watch with students and discuss themes together. With a bent for having fun, Eschelbach is also a passionate scholar. "I had Professor Eschelbach for New Testament class and he was the best professor for it. … He would incorporate modern themes into the lesson to help us grasp the concepts. My favorite professor and the most impacting on my life."

Raquel Aparicio, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California, psychology, 2004.

Bill Woods gave such a tough midterm that Raquel Aparicio needed an A on the final to get a good grade in his class. The final's study guide consisted of more than 600 terms. "I bought flashcards and went through the notes, but was really lost," Aparicio says. Since Woods had his home number on the syllabus, Aparicio called him for help—sometimes more than once a day. "His son even picked up the phone once and said I had called too many times!" she quips. But Woods continued answering her questions. Over the summer, Woods walked into Aparicio's on-campus workplace: "He told me that I was one of five students in his lifetime [who] had ever aced one of his tests."

Although she was a psychology major, Aparicio took another class with Woods and received a recommendation from him for graduate school.

These students received advice from educators whose own search for wisdom gave light to share with others.

Joel Repic, Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa Falls, Georgia, ministry, 2006.

Among several professors who influenced Joel Repic at Toccoa Falls, Robert Wetmore's influence was the most powerful. The two met weekly to pray for a mentoring ministry Repic envisioned he would start. "His understanding of God's concern for the poor helped me develop compassion," Repic says. The resulting ministry, Aliquippa Impact, which Repic founded while still a student, now serves over 100 youth in a community riddled with addictions and violence. "We do not believe in hopeless people, and we are seeing Jesus build his kingdom in our community against all odds," says Repic.

Kristin Kloess, Concordia University Chicago, Lutheran education, 2005.

Julie Archibald was called "the one who cares" by many students whose lives she touched, including Kristin Kloess. Archibald places education students in their student-teaching assignments, an important position in the lives of students. "Julie was someone whom people would go to for help. She always took the time to listen," Kloess says. "She would give solid advice that [we] never took for granted." Students continue to seek Archibald's advice after graduation. Kloess says, "She was golden to me and other education majors because she brought us peace of mind during some uncertain times."

Kris Herman, Malone College, Canton, Ohio, Bible and theology, 1998.

"Steve Moroney is the person in my life that I tell just about everything to," says Kris Herman. "I seek his counsel and trust that he will point me to the truth of Scripture." Herman's passion for living faithfully led him to the Coalition for Christian Outreach, where he befriends college students and shares the gospel with them, as well as teaches apologetics. Moroney expresses joy in Herman's way of living for God: "Kris Herman is a wonderful example of living a Christian life. He is a loving husband and father, and a rock-solid minister of the gospel. Though I've found myself in the position of being his mentor, I think of us as partners in living out Malone's [educational mission] of seeking Christ's kingdom first."

While the difference made by these educators is amply displayed in these stories, the full scope of their impact is seen in many more lives that are being transformed by God's love. Their example of Christ-like living will be passed along by students who took Life 101 in a Christian collegial setting.

Diane Vescovi is a freelance writer in Pennsylvania. Her writing for various publications focuses on holistic mission and ministries.