The 2014 Legacy Banquet

Alumni Impact Award naomi washatka ’10 During her years studying international business and global economics, Naomi Washatka was very involved at Cedarville. She wrote for Cedars and worked as a consultant at the Writing Center. Naomi contributed to Tau Delta Kappa as a member and Activities Director, to Students in Free Enterprise as a member and Fundraising Manager, and to the Department of Business Administration as a student representative. Off campus, Naomi dedicated her time as a children’s church volunteer at Midtown Community Church in the neighboring town of Springfield, Ohio. During her last year at Cedarville, Naomi attended an event hosted by Jim Wallis, which began to ignite her passion for service to the impoverished. Later, Dr. David Mills asked her to coordinate a discussion panel of distinguished economists, philosophers, and professors on solutions for assisting the poor. “Dr. Mills,” Naomi says, “helped me foster thought and conversation on a topic that was previously unheard of on campus.” She continues, saying, “I learned at Cedarville that we are made more like Jesus when we live life together — purposefully serving each other and seeking Christ together.” Experiencing this community at Cedarville formed the foundation of Naomi’s current work at the International Justice Mission (IJM), where she serves as a Human Resources Transition Manager. There, she works to foster community in the organization allowing staff members to thrive in their partnerships with local administration to eradicate slavery. She credits discovering her passion for using human resources skills to serve the oppressed to her professors and mentors at Cedarville. Naomi states, “I learned from Dr. Deborah Haffey that I have a voice and can make a difference in the world. I learned from Dr. Tim Gombis that God has a heart for justice and the poor.” She also learned from the “many professors and their wives ... who welcomed students and strangers into their homes, simply to foster community and Sabbath.” In addition to her work at IJM, Naomi is enrolled at American University, earning her master’s degree in developmental management. She also serves her church in the children’s church and International Service team. The recipient of the Alumni Impact Award is the only one that is nominated by current students. Naomi's consistent support in assisting Cedarville students who hope to work with IJM has led to her selection. She has served as a personal reference for many Cedarville students, traveled to Cedarville to recruit current students, and has been extremely willing to answer questions for graduates interested in nonprofit and humanitarian work. Her work ethic has impressed IJM enough to take a special interest in Cedarville students and graduates. Not only does her work at IJM support an extremely effective and worthy Christian organization, but it helps connect other Cedarville grads who want to make a difference in the world for Christ. Naomi’s family has been a constant source of inspiration and influence on her life. She shares of her brothers, Nathan ’08 and Jonathan, “I am privileged to call my brothers two of my closest friends. They continue to inspire me to work hard, serve others, and live a compassionate and others-focused life.” Of her father, she comments, “My dad, an academic for as long as I can remember, will forever challenge me to think critically about all I do and believe.” She also notes that her mother “is the source of all sympathy I can claim to possess.” Naomi’s work at IJM and passion for the oppressed is a testimony to her desire to live a worthwhile life.