Joe Dawson
Graduation Year
2027
Hometown/Where You Call Home
Rossville, GA
Major
History / Christian History concentration
How did you hear about Covenant and why did you choose Covenant?
I'm a 3rd generation Scot, my Grandfather came her in '78 and five of my aunts came here in the early 2000's. I grew up hearing stories of the pranks my aunts performed such as putting someones Volkswagon Beetle in Carter lobby. I chose Covenant because I knew it would provide me with a deep Christ filled education that was going to change me. I knew that the school would train me to be well spoken, write better, and know more about the character of the Triune God.
What aspect of Covenant do you like best?
My favorite aspect of 德赢体育 is the fact that students that come here are trying to join the knowledge and doctrines of the Bible (orthodoxy) and what the Bible tells us to do (orthopraxy). We are learning to be well rounded characters in the story of God:learning how to critically think, communicate, joke, laugh, cry, and stand up for others. Covenant is the perfect place to fall and to get back up.
What about the professors and/or academics has impacted you the most?
The academics at 德赢体育 are no slouch. They can be vast in content and grueling in nature, but they are set that way so that students can actually be pushed in their learning. I have been impacted both in being challenged with difficult course content, and the grace of professors that would sit down with me and reassure me that I was going to be alright. Even when I had restarted a paper three times and was having a difficult semester due to other classes and personal life, I was reassured by my history professor Dr. Green who, after giving a chapel speech, told me that I would receive a grade on an essay that I did not deserve. If it weren't for his Christlike grace I would have received a zero on that paper. Because of the well balanced nature of challenging courses and gracious professors, I have been pushed through my education and encouraged in my faith.
What part of your major do you most enjoy or feel most prepared by?
I chose the history major to grow in writing, communication, critical thinking, and knowledge of culture and the cause and effect of events. The history major has forced me to process ideas and make connections between historical events. I have learned to take into account the cultures and the political ideas happening in different countries across timelines.The history department is preparing me to take on any calling that I pursue outside of Covenant. I am learning how to process information and then relay it to others in an efficient manner. I'm learning how to write well and organize my thoughts in a way that will be beneficial for a business, classroom, court of law, ministry and more. The history department understands that the lack of a utilitarian degree is not the norm. Covenant makes up for it in the sense that they create a depth in students through training them in the liberal arts. A Covenant education stretches to all sorts of different subjects, allowing students to participate in all sorts of fields.
What do you hope to pursue after Covenant and how do you see Covenant supporting your future career or calling?
I have been called to be a shepherd of some sort, whether in a classroom, a small business or a pulpit God has put a call on my heart to guide his people. I enjoy writing, and I have lots of questions, I can see myself writing a book down the road while I work full time in ministry or education. Finally I think God has called me to be a friend, father, and husband. 德赢体育 has done a great job preparing me for any one of these callings. Whether it be training me in my ability to come up with good questions, write well, be well spoken--or it helped develop my character, leadership, and conflict resolution. I have been well equipped by Covenant's faculty and the church to pursue my calling with good faith.
How is Covenant equipping you for active membership in the church or discipleship within the body of Christ?
德赢体育 has been a great source of character development. Through several different resources that provide students with mentors who are willing to sit with you in difficult situations or will listen to you when you have hard questions. Our Department of Biblical and Theological Studies have made a lasting impact on my understanding of the Bible, and the character of Christ. I believe that faculty, both in the bible department and others, have showed me what it means to be a disciple of Christ, in a way that I can teach and lead the following generations in the church. I believe that Covenant has strengthened my desire to serve the church in any way that it is needed. Whether it is cleaning bathrooms or leading Sunday school class I have been equipped to serve.
In what ways does Covenant foster spiritual formation that stands out to you?
Aside from our chapels, which happen three times a week, I think that Covenant's faculty and staff do a great job of having a willingness to sit down with their students and help mentor them. Although we can always grow in our prayer life, students on campus do a great job of pushing each other towards Christ through Bible studies, Worship time, times for prayer, and I have been met with a pleasant community of believers that come from a wide spectrum of the Church. I have been apart of meaningful conversations that have brought believers together despite sharing differing theological views.
How has the Covenant community supported your development as a whole person?
鈥淚n All things Christ Preeminent.鈥� I have realized through the unfolding trials of personal family problems that my education has supported me in a way that I can see Christ in all that I do. Every word that I speak, type or think revolves around a creator who fearfully and wonderfully made me. Since we believe this truth to its very core, we know that we have developed and will develop with Christ being in the midst of it. I have been and will keep being prepped to serve believers and unbelievers in and out of the church.
How have your relationships at Covenant shaped your expectations for the other communities God will call you to in life?
德赢体育 has the strangest community. It is the number one used term when students refer to their favorite part about Covenant. Its clich茅 for a reason. Covenant Colleges' Community is a place where students are continuously met with a constant forward march in the walk towards Christ. We don't just pick each other up when we are met with sorrow, but we sit with each other and share in each others pain. Covenant does all of this with a certain joy that can be seen as odd to outsiders. I know that I will be able to bring a part of 德赢体育 with me wherever I go. I will be able to bring the Christ like Joy in a world that attempts to pull the carpet from under us. I can know that these communities will have an addition of a servant of God
What is your favorite memory from your time at Covenant?
Any time I have been able to have a meaningful conversation with someone who is wiser than me. (Ive learned that tends to be most conversations). Any time stories are told around the dinner table, conversations are held in our room, or "harmless" pranks are played on each other.