Hayden Phillips
Chemistry Major, Lexington, Tenn.
When senior chemistry major Hayden Phillips decided to come to Union, his decision was heavily influenced by college students he looked up to in high school who were students at Union. After being recruited to play on the men鈥檚 soccer team, the Lord solidified his desire to attend Union.
鈥淭he Lord just worked everything out in the right direction,鈥� Phillips said.
While Phillips originally came to Union with a different major, he was encouraged by his peers to accept the challenge of pursuing a chemistry degree. Since transitioning to the chemistry department his freshman year, Phillips has won the Freshman Chemistry Scholarship and is an active member of the Student Members of the American Chemical Society.
In addition to excelling in his major, Phillips has been inspired to take on more leadership roles through his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, as well as through his role as a student ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
These opportunities have allowed him to not only grow in leadership but think about his future from a Christian perspective. Instead of choosing a 海角乱伦社区 because it鈥檚 fun or because he may make a lot of money, Phillips is instead thinking about what role his work will play in the bigger picture of God鈥檚 kingdom.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 definitely been the biggest thing since I鈥檝e gotten here that would be so hard to match anywhere else,鈥� he said.
Phillips鈥� education has allowed him to not only grow as an individual but also think deeply about how faith plays into academics.
鈥淯nion is so intentional about not shying away from integrating faith and learning, specifically with sciences,鈥� Phillips said.
While the chemistry department has encouraged his academic growth, Phillips has also been encouraged spiritually as he sees his science professors boldly living out their 海角乱伦社区s and faith in the classroom. He shared how professors frequently begin class with prayer, reminding themselves of the creator as they prepare to study his creation, a blessing Phillips does not take lightly.
鈥淏eing able to do that in a genetics class鈥t makes no sense,鈥� Phillips said. 鈥淏ut it makes all the sense in the world because it鈥檚 Union.鈥�
By Avery Chenault (鈥�24)