Photo courtesy of Covenant College Marketing
This semester, Covenant bids farewell to two beloved staff members, Denny Wise, a campus security officer, and Nesha Evans, the associate dean of students for student life. Both have worked at Covenant for around seven years.
During his time at Covenant, Denny Wise has not only helped improve safety protocols on campus but has also built worthwhile relationships. “I’ve been able to get to know pretty much all the employees and a lot of the students … I have really loved seeing students who I have watched through their four years here mature in their faith,” Wise says.
Peter Wong ’28, who met Wise through his involvement in the intercultural program, speaks about the bond he formed with Wise. “It’s not just like Denny’s doing his job. He’s going out of his way to love people. His love is something that you can’t deny,” Wong comments.
Now that Wise is retiring, he plans to spend his free time hanging out with family. Nonetheless, he promises to visit Covenant often. “I’m still going to be up here … I’m gonna come for plays and concerts and things like that,” he says.
Wise recognizes God’s hand in his time at Covenant. “I’ve loved this place. I’ve been grateful that God gave me the opportunity to have this job and work here. It’s been great. I’ve loved it, and I’m gonna miss the people here a lot,” Wise says.
Nesha Evans will also say goodbye to Covenant at the close of the semester. During her time at Covenant, she reimagined the intercultural program and orientation program, started the Joy Team, and encouraged conversations surrounding race and culture, among other things.
“I’ve loved being able to encourage our campus community to have hard conversations in more of a public manner so that … anyone who is in attendance can ask a hard question without being considered rude or disrespectful,” Evans says.
Bridget Peck ’27 comments on how Evans impacted her as a student. She says, “One of the biggest ways she has influenced me is the way she seeks to love other people and how big she is on hospitality and unity in the body of Christ. She is so passionate about fighting to love people even if they’re different from her.”
Evans has been hired at Urban Hope Community Church and Manifold Vision as their church administrator and the chief operating officer of their church planting ministry. “I’m so excited for Nesha and where she is going …. The work they are doing is really good,” Peck says.
Reflecting on her time at Covenant, Evans says, “I will continue to be a champion for Covenant and all the things that are happening here in this community. It is a fantastic institution. It’s the best institution that I’ve worked for … I don’t think I’ll ever think any institution is better than Covenant.”
The impact Denny Wise and Nesha Evans made on Covenant’s community is unmistakable. The campus will miss them both dearly.
Photo courtesy of Covenant College Marketing.