Why are we here? Why are we, as a student body, here at Covenant?
I believe that we, as a student body, are here because of the quality education we are receiving and the care, time, and effort that is poured into us as individuals. I believe we are here because there is something about Covenant that sparked an interest in us. We saw the love that the students have for each other and for God and were intrigued by that. I believe that we are here because of the many intangible benefits that shape us and make us into godly men and women. I believe we are here because Covenant is able to equip us accordingly in both Spirit and truth. I believe that we are here because Covenant is preparing us for the future.
However, in the midst of such godliness and focus, there seems to be some hypocrisy. Covenant cares for us immensely, we can see that, but why are there such great financial resources being poured into the aesthetics of the college and comparatively so much less being spent on the betterment of the students outside of the academic curriculum? Covenant recently spent $19.4 million on Carter Hall renovations, at the same time slashing funding for Covenant clubs.
We just recently spent thousands of dollars replacing all the sod outside on Carter Lawn, but yet hall budgets for student activities rarely exceed $150. Extracurricular activities, hall life, and clubs outside of studies are extremely important in entertaining and maintaining students. They are supposed to encourage community bonding and spiritual betterment of the student and yet they receive very meager funding.
I am not dismissing the fact that our campus is beautiful and attractive to prospective students, but what about the care of the current students?
I am now going to utilize my Covenant College education and talk about vanity and how it relates to our beautiful campus. In Proverbs 31, it talks about the virtuous woman and all the characteristics that a godly woman should have, but the focus of those verses is on her strength, work ethic, and character.
It commends her for such things. But it contrasts at the very end by saying that beauty is vain. If we relate our college to the Proverbs 31 woman, it is not the aesthetics that attract, but it is the character of the college, the incredible job they do in equipping us, and the care for the students that attracts us. Outward appearances on Carter and the campus overall will not attract students. It is the education and effort that is put into the students that will continue to bring them here for generations. Don’t forget about us.