Features - The Echo

Meeting God in the Tetons

By Kendall Beck · Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023

This summer, sophomores — and best friends — Anna Runion and Lauren Dykes found themselves drawn to a three-month adventure serving the Lord in the Tetons.

Senior graphic design major builds on Taylor experience, growth

By Contessa Hussong · Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Looking through pictures of the graphic design majors’ senior show, it’s hard to guess that just a few years ago, not all of these artists were confident in their abilities. Yet for Kaelen Rodgers, a senior majoring in graphic design, it wasn’t just a lack of confidence that weighed on her heart coming to Taylor.

Claire Nieshalla: road to commencement

By Marissa Muljat · Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Various experiences, positions, internships, challenges and successes have led senior Claire Nieshalla to her approaching graduation. Chosen as this year’s student commencement speaker, Nieshalla — a public relations major and soccer player — has found joy and honor in the speech preparation process and is looking forward to sharing with her fellow seniors.

Mainstage entertains campus with music-oriented events

By Marco Aguirre · Tuesday, May 9, 2023

What’s not to love about music and dance? The sounds that fly across the audience to give you a taste of life’s nightly flavors, and our expression of the passion for life is the dance of the moment. Fortunately, our university has the opportunity to relish these special events, and who does it have to thank? Taylor’s Mainstage!

Jim Garringer: The man behind the lens

By Emma Goossen · Monday, May 8, 2023

Commencement, precedents, colorations, sporting events and chapels — all photographed by one man. Jim Garringer has spent the past 37 years documenting every event and change on Taylor's campus.

Freshman Aspen Postma explores self-expression through art

By Contessa Hussong · Tuesday, May 2, 2023

The saying goes that a picture is worth a thousand words — but how many pictures does it take to communicate your true identity? For Aspen Postma, a freshman artist transitioning from a major in art education to pre-art therapy, the answer was 12. One dozen art pieces. One dozen attempts at learning the meaning of self-expression.

Austin Layton: journey to med school

By Jane' Aubry Page · Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Senior Austin Layton will wrap up his time at Taylor this May as a pre-med biology major with a minor in Spanish. Layton hopes to work in pediatrics and ideally partner with his twin brother, senior Brayden Layton. His fascination with anatomy began when his parents told him about the miraculous event of his birth.

Bekah Hynson: planting the seeds of sustainable development

By Marissa Muljat · Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Growing up in PeachTree City, Georgia, senior Bekah Hynson and her six siblings often visited their grandma’s house to help out with yard work and gardening. Through these visits, she learned a lot about the process of caring for nature. It was in these moments that her initial love for the outdoors sprouted.

Grabowski promotes love for the Earth

By Emma Goossen · Monday, April 24, 2023

Committing his life to the pursuit of sustainability, Phil Grabowski is an assistant professor of sustainable development at Taylor University. From a young age, Grabowski was drawn to the outdoors and grew to love all aspects of nature.

Allison Eckardt: acknowledging God’s gift of relationships

By Jane' Aubry Page · Monday, April 17, 2023

Everyone faces fear, worry and doubt in all walks of life. Marketing Director Allison Eckardt believes that people travel through life to aid their growth toward God and toward one another.

Jeff Cramer: reflections and renewal

By Contessa Hussong · Monday, April 17, 2023

“The older you get, the more you start to realize that your life only makes sense looking backwards,” Jeff Cramer said. Yet as the man of many hats prepares to take on a new role in life, he’s found there’s also a sense of anticipation and renewal that comes from this season of transition.

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Women in STEM: Seniors share math, science experience

By Emma Goossen · Monday, April 3, 2023

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) is an area of learning that is known for its difficulty and rigor — making those pursuing a degree in such fields examples of true dedication. In the throes of Women's History Month, two senior women share their experiences as STEM-related majors at Taylor University.

Kizito Mayao bridges the DRC and Taylor

By Marissa Muljat · Monday, April 3, 2023

When Kizito Mayao arrived at Taylor from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), he fell in love with the unique culture the university had to offer.

Spanish Club presents opportunity for culture, conversation

By Contessa Hussong · Tuesday, March 14, 2023

There’s something life-giving about sharing cultures through conversation. The warmth of a meal. The richness of a language. The context of an idiom that is otherwise lost on a non-native speaker. There’s beauty in it all, and it has a practicality that has brought new meaning to an old hobby for junior Janie Lee Allen.

'The guy with the bluetooth speaker'

By Marissa Muljat · Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Wesley Jones — a name that speaks for itself. Many know Jones for his on-the-go music, elaborate stage presence or, perhaps, his visionary leadership.

BSU president fosters community, culture through new events

By Contessa Hussong · Thursday, March 9, 2023

“I think of strength.” These were the words of Goodness Korrie, president of the Black Student Union.

Rhona Murungi: Uganda to America

By Emma Goossen · Wednesday, March 8, 2023

From Uganda to America, Rhona Murungi's (‘10) life is marked by God's provision. "Looking back for me, I see God's hand at work,” Murungi said. “God connecting so many dots to the point where if you took one dot out the whole thing would collapse."

Charlie Brainer inspires a love of culture

By Marissa Muljat · Thursday, March 2, 2023

“When you make a friendship in another culture, you really begin to value that culture and in a much deeper and meaningful way,” Charlie Brainer said. As the dean of international programs, higher education adjunct faculty and director of Spencer Centre for Global Engagement, Brainer has had the opportunity to share his passion for global engagement with students, faculty and others.

Pun Chatnantawej: navigating transition, cultural identity

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Transitioning from three different cultures, freshman Pun Chatnantawej went on a journey of losing and regaining her identity.

J-term: teaching English in Indonesia

By Marissa Muljat · Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023

This J-term, many students had the opportunity to visit various locations across the globe. From Belize to Ireland to Greece to Kenya (and other locations), Taylor students and faculty gained unique cultural experiences filled with learning and excitement.