Spire Spring 2018

“Ellen basically embodies [servant leadership], and I think that she is a

wonderful example to everyone around her on what a servant leader is,” said classmate Jacquelyn Chick. “Whether it’s staying up late studying, being part of the women’s ministry Bible study, or giving it her all on the athletic court, I think she does a great job of just living out her faith.” Johnson was recognized for her servant leadership during Spring Commencement as a recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for exemplary service and character. Established by the New York Southern Society in 1925 in memory of Algernon Sydney Sullivan, a southerner who became a prominent lawyer, businessman and philanthropist in New York City in the late nineteenth century, the awards seek to perpetuate the excellence of character and humanitarian service of Sullivan by recognizing and honoring such qualities in others. “Being a student at Bluefield College, I am constantly reminded of the importance of servant leadership,” said Johnson. “Jesus gave us the ultimate example of putting others’ needs before our own, and it is clear that so many people in this world could benefit from a fraction of our time. On a trip that involved so many exciting events and exotic sightseeing, it would have been easy to be self-centered and focus on our own desires, but it had been engrained in me to think otherwise. I have had so many professors and peers invest in my own life at BC that I want to share that love with others.” Story by BC student marketing associate Mikaela Hurst.

BC’s Ellen Johnson (right) displays her servant leadership as a volunteer counselor for a sports clinic for at-risk youth in Costa Rica.

to fit in with other people their age, and they are all too often pushed to the wayside in society.” During the second clinic, Johnson said they worked with children who grew up in broken homes, surrounded by drugs and violence, and with little to no access to opportunities for success. “It was part of the mission of Beyond Sports to invest in these kids and let them know that they are just as important as everyone else,” said Johnson. “We were given the most wonderful platform, through the sports for which we are passionate, to show that love knows no boundaries — not geographic, socioeconomic, or linguistic. I hope that (the kids) felt special for knowing that college athletes from the United States cared enough to invest time in them and encourage them to strive to do their best in every endeavor.” With a mission to graduate servant leaders who understand their life calling and transform the world, Bluefield College, Johnson said, has helped her appreciate the importance of service above self. Through experiences like this, she said, she is not only able to demonstrate God’s love to others, but also be reminded of how truly blessed she is.

7