Inspire, Spring 2006

18 Spring 2006 s a freshman, I fell into the “not knowing what I was going to do with my life” category. Although I declared a music major, I didn’t really know how I would use that degree or if I was even skilled enough to seriously do anything with it. I think secretly in the heart of every student is the desire to one day experience success. In the midst of unearthing my unique purpose and pursuing success, I received a slow and constant drip of encouragement, prompting, and direction- setting from several professors. So there I was, my freshman year, in a public speaking class nervously giving my first speech when Dr. Mike López commented on how I should consider communication as my course of study. Although astonished and dumbfounded, I stood before him as a sponge seeking direction. I eventually took his advice. In my sophomore year, the bottom fell out of my finances with my parents’ divorce. Barely scraping by and believing that the end of my Cedarville experience was imminent, I felt as though God was giving me cues that it was time to throw in the towel and head home. But before I was ready to concede, I auditioned for a Christian ministries traveling vocal team. Although I had bombed my audition the year before, I gave it another whirl and went into this audition with the desire to not only do what I love for God (sing), but also to find a way to provide the financial resources for me to stay at Cedarville. So, unbeknownst to the selection committee, the future of my Cedarville experience rested on their assessment of my performance. I was nervous to the core — wondering if I would be given the opportunity to not only sing but to stay and continue on as a student at Cedarville. Two things happened at that audition. First, while waiting to perform, I met a girl who would become one of my closest friends. Jessica Schuring Cymbal ’97 was a freshman who was also auditioning. As we waited for our big moment, we nervously chatted and encouraged each other. When I heard Finding Success Through Others’ Examples her sing, I was amazed by her talent. Freshmen didn’t usually make it into a vocal group like this, but she did! The second thing that happened was that I made it! I was even more astounded by this than by being encouraged to become a communication arts major! God had used Kevin Smith and Jim Cato ’83 to remind me that He was going to provide the means necessary for me to get through school and that music needed to continue to be an integral part of my life. In the years that followed, the progression of God using Cedarville staff and faculty to speak truth into my life continued. The inspiring and freeing words, accolades, constructive criticism, and wisdom I received catalyzed a sense of direction in me. Those messages instilled the importance of embracing and honing my abilities and utilizing them for God’s agenda. Graduation day came, and there I was with two majors but no clue what I would do with either. Along with that gnawing at my heart was a desire to do something big. I wanted to find significance. by Taryn Campbell Hofert ’96 as told to Cessna Catherine Winslow Taryn Campbell Hofert ’96 with son Colsen Chase and husband Scott