The 2019 Legacy Banquet Program

YOUNG ALUMNA OF THE YEAR JER I CA (WARD) L AMAR ' 0 9 Jerica (Ward) Lamar '09 has been selected as Young Alumna of the Year. Jerica graduated from Cedarville University in 2009 with a degree in international relations, minoring in Spanish. She was a member of HeartSong for two years during her time at Cedarville, and the Forensics and Model U.N. teams. Her most impactful memories include classes she took with Dr. Frank Jenista, which opened her mind to the world of diplomacy. She credits the training she received from her international relations professors with shaping her into the public servant she is today. “Cedarville allowed me to understand the importance of being a servant-leader,” she said. “It helped me to see the importance of having Christ-focused individuals in the public sector.” After graduating from Cedarville University, Jerica joined the Peace Corps and worked as an education volunteer in a rural community in the Philippines called Roxas, Palawan. There, she helped build a library and worked on numerous sustainable youth projects. After returning to the U.S., she worked as an ESL teacher and then obtained a job managing refugee unemployment programs for the state of Maryland. It was there that she decided to pursue a career in public service. She moved to Texas to attend Texas A&M, where she obtained a graduate degree in international affairs and economic development from The Bush School of Government and Public Service. During her time at Texas A&M, she traveled to Jordan to research the Syrian Refugee crisis, served in public affairs in London when Brexit was announced, and worked on South China Sea issues as a Philippines Desk Officer. While at Texas A&M, she also began the process of joining the State Department as a U.S. Diplomat. Her first post was in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and she is currently working in Kenya. Jerica has been recognized with the U.S. State Department Franklin Award, Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, the Robertson for Government and Public Service Fellowship, and a commendation letter from the Secretary of State for exemplary performance. When asked for words of wisdom or advice she would pass on to fellow alumni, Jerica offers Mark 12:30–31: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength ... ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Jerica is married to Mario Lamar, a Navy Officer Reservist and Foreign Service Officer. He is currently assigned to the Dominican Republic.