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The ��ҺAƬ “H”

It may be the most recognizable symbol of our university. It is unique, attractive and widely visible on campus. Even more important, however, is that its features help to illustrate what makes ��ҺAƬ such a special living and learning community. Consider the five essential elements of a ��ҺAƬ experience with me:

Community

The ��ҺAƬ student experience is characterized by students’ growth. Over their four years at ��ҺAƬ, students experience immeasurable development, not only academically, but spiritually and emotionally. Some of the growth students experience happens individually, but much of it happens in the context of our intentional Christ-centered community. Set within a small, Christ-centered residential learning community, students’ ��ҺAƬ experience includes so much more than just coursework. Living in community with other students, staff and faculty, Highlanders have the unique opportunity to experience worship, prayer, lectures, workshops, performances, art exhibits and athletic competition as part of the total ��ҺAƬ experience. Much more than entertainment, these experiences push and challenge students in new ways and expand their thinking, all with the aim of equipping students to better understand and live out their purpose.

Growth

Generations of ��ҺAƬ students identify with the University’s mission of preparing and equipping scholar-servants. ��ҺAƬ’s emphasis on the importance of these two roles and their interconnection in preparing faithful and powerful Kingdom servants continues. As scholars, beginning with and through the lens of orthodox Christianity, ��ҺAƬ students are actively engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. Through engaging and rigorous classroom instruction, laboratory exploration, and hands-on learning experiences, ��ҺAƬ students receive a world-class Christ-centered education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Just as with the preceding generations of ��ҺAƬ graduates, students are extraordinarily well-prepared for the workforce, ministry, and graduate and professional school.

Service

But ��ҺAƬ’s mission goes beyond just preparing world-class scholars, researchers, leaders and performers. What makes us special is the intentional preparation of students to use their God-given gifts and knowledge and skills they have attained to serve. Our commitment to producing scholar-servants centers on our believe that God has called each of us to lives of service—service to the Church, to our families, to our communities, and to our brothers and sisters.

Excellence

Finally, ��ҺAƬ’s commitment to and relentless pursuit of excellence is unquestioned. Whether on the volleyball court or the soccer field, in musical and theatrical performance, in ministry, or in research, we strive for excellence. Different than those who are not in Christ, however, our pursuit of excellence is not for the glory of ��ҺAƬ or based on a personal desire for praise and acclaim. Instead, our passionate pursuit of excellence is so that our Father in Heaven might be glorified.

Just as you cannot separate any of these individual elements of our logo and preserve the distinctive “H” that has come to represent the University, each of these facets of ��ҺAƬ is a part of the complete ��ҺAƬ experience. Whether at our residential campus, online or in Buffalo, students who choose ��ҺAƬ receive the preparation for success in careers and graduate and professional school you expect from any reputable college or university. Even more valuable, ��ҺAƬ students are also nurtured and equipped to lead faithful and fearless Christ-centered lives of service. It is these essential aspects of ��ҺAƬ—Christ-centered, Community, Growth, Service, and Excellence—that embolden and empower courageous, purpose-driven, lifelong scholar-servants.