Bethany College President Will Jones on Friday demonstrated a powerful message about service at the college’s opening convocation by washing the feet of a student.
In his address to students, faculty and staff, President Jones stated he wanted his actions to speak louder than his words, when he washed the feet of Bryanna Taylor, a senior from Monrovia, California. He challenged those at the convocation to join him in making a public statement about their willingness to serve others.
At the close of the convocation, students, faculty, staff and community members were invited to gather in the two fountains outside of the college library to wash the feet of another. “Let’s tell the wider world that Bethany College dares to be servant leaders,” President Jones said in his challenge to campus.
Jones, joined Bethany College as its 14th president on July 1, 2016. Friday was the first time he addressed the entire campus and he focused on the college’s core value of servant leadership.
“I want to be a servant leader,” he said. “As someone who sincerely desires to follow Christ, and as a public statement of my hope that Bethany College will be a college committed to seeing our students becoming successful graduates who love God and love people, I want my actions to speak louder than my words today.”
Bethany College began classes Thursday with the largest freshman class in more than 15 years. According to preliminary registration numbers, this year’s group of 288 new students, which includes freshman and transfer students, is also the largest in more than 20 years.
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Story from Bethany College
