Charles Temple
Graduation Year
2025
Hometown/Where You Call Home
Greenville, SC
Major
Biology Pre-Med
How did you hear about Covenant and why did you choose Covenant?
I am pursuing a career in regenerative medicine which is a controversial topic that poses many ethical questions. Because of this, I wanted to study biology at a school where I could also establish a solid background in Christian ethics/theology along with strengthening my faith. My church pastor recommended I consider 德赢体育 which is where the Lord ended up calling me to attend.
What aspect of Covenant do you like best?
I really appreciate the caliber of individuals I have encountered here on campus. I've met people who are humble and kind while also highly intelligent and insightful. The depth of complexity I have witnessed in others has been truly inspiring, encouraging me to pursue spiritual growth in my own life that I had not previously considered.
What about the professors and/or academics has impacted you the most?
Being able to have a personal relationship with my professors has impacted me greatly. The conversations I have had with them were some of the most insightful interactions I've ever had. Even in colloquial discussions, my professors have encouraged my faith and challenged me to new directions in my career. This has motivated me to pursue medical school and ethical leadership as I leave Covenant to move forward with my life.
What part of your major do you most enjoy or feel most prepared by?
Taking several semesters of chemistry classes proved to be a considerable challenge in my early years at Covenant. But the concepts and skills I gained through it have allowed me to understand concepts that I learned in biology in a more comprehensive way. Biochemistry in particular prepared me the most for thinking critically about complex topics that I will encounter in medical school.
What do you hope to pursue after Covenant and how do you see Covenant supporting your future career or calling?
After Covenant, I hope to pursue a career as a medical scientist and medical ethicist. Particularly, I want to advance the field of regenerative medicine through clinical research along with providing recommendations on the ethical issues that will arise as the field progresses. My experience at Covenant has supported me by providing excellent academic training to help me succeed in medical school, and has equipped me with knowledge to make discerning judgments about the ethical nature of regenerative medicine.
How is Covenant equipping you for active membership in the church or discipleship within the body of Christ?
德赢体育 has taught me how to be more compassionate towards others in order to extend grace more genuinely. I have also been able to grow in my intuition so that I may serve others in a more efficient manner. Both of these traits have prompted me to act out of love towards the body of Christ which has helped me to better engage my community.
In what ways does Covenant foster spiritual formation that stands out to you?
I way in which Covenant has fostered spiritual formation, that has been apparent to me, is through a specific chapel series. Particularly in the 鈥淲hy I'm still a Christian鈥� series where professors give a chapel talk on their spiritual journey. These testimonies from the professors have greatly impacted me because they are so genuine. Hearing my professors speak vulnerably to their students about their struggles as a Christian has been a truly wonderful way to encourage young Christians in their faith. And it has helped to grow relationships between students and professors.
How has the Covenant community supported your development as a whole person?
I have learned so much both in the hard sciences and in a diverse number of disciplines that contribute to my liberal arts degree. My awareness of my own emotions has increased in addition to my overall emotional intelligence. I have learned integral professional skills through club leadership, internships, and workshops. And I have grown closer in my walk with Jesus as I learn more about Him.
How have your relationships at Covenant shaped your expectations for the other communities God will call you to in life?
Throughout the various types of relationships I have shared with people here on campus, I have discovered how valuable it is to take initiative in group settings. Since I am not fully extroverted, it can be challenging for me to initiate activities or conversations. But in the variety of groups I have fraternized with, I have learned that there is not always going to be someone else to make it happen. This has given me the expectation to engage fully with the communities I will be called to after college, where I will also have to occasionally take the initiative so I can make a positive impact on others.
What is your favorite memory from your time at Covenant?
At the end of the fall semester of my sophomore year, my friend and I were studying for our final in Cellular and Molecular Biology. The morning of the exam we met to begin our review, but we discovered that our grades were high enough in the class that we could still get an A even with a low score on the final. So we got in my car and went to a Chinese buffet for lunch. We had a great conversation and then rolled back onto campus to take the final. We ended up acing the class. That memory is my favorite because it felt so good to have the freedom to get lunch off campus when everyone else was cramming for exams. We were fully reaping the benefits of our hard work.