Thursday, February 25, 2021

Lewis Mission Moment: A Chance Encounter

Lewis alumna Bernetta Cannon ’20 and current graduate student Kristlin Weathersby ’21 both worked in the medical field before making the decision to return to school and pursue a career as nurse practitioners. Little did they know that a chance encounter in their Health Assessment class would be the start of something very powerful.

Lewis is known for its outstanding reputation in nursing education, creating innovative leaders in a safe, supportive environment. Bernetta and Kristlin were no strangers to that feeling, especially as adult students trying to balance work, personal life, and now school.

They arrived in class early to prepare and stayed late to review material and study with one another. Bernetta recalled several times where staff at the Oakbrook campus happily agreed to stay late so they could continue studying. “The Oakbrook campus was so conducive to learning for us graduate nursing students who were juggling a lot.”

Bernetta and Kristlin even put in extra hours and each practiced on rag dolls at home!

After all of their hard work, Bernetta was not ready to let it all go so quickly.

“I was so impressed by all of my classmates. We learned together, we struggled together, and, most importantly, we could just be us together. I wanted to find a way to hold on to that comradery and also allow future students to feel the same type of support.”

Bernetta proposed the idea of starting a scholarship for future nursing students, and to no surprise, Kristlin agreed!

“Everyone at Lewis was so kind and I loved the idea of being able to pay it forward through a scholarship,” says Kristlin. “Many say that the Lewis mission comes to life on campus, and I can truly feel that. I am so connected to Lewis and everyone there, and I ‘m excited to be able to give back to such a great place!”

“The nursing program at Lewis is challenging. I want to make sure that future students feel supported and get the encouragement, as well as financial resources, they need to feel confident enough to go after what they want,” adds Bernetta.

From the young age of 8, Kristlin has been passionate about helping others after having to care for her great grandmother who suffered from cancer. For Bernetta, her passion came a little later in life; after the birth of her first baby to be exact. As a new mother, she turned to her nurses in the hospital for extra support and guidance – that is when she knew it was her calling to be a nurse and provide for others as they did for her.

Bernetta and Kristlin both faced obstacles that have allowed them to understand the importance of this type of work. They have been called to serve others in this special way, just as future young men and women will be too.

“This is our opportunity to encourage future students; to show them that we pushed through and persevered and got to where we are today, but not alone. We want them to know that they can do it, and that one day, they can give back too,” says Bernetta.

“It is my hope that whoever is the recipient of this scholarship in the future feels inspired to pay it forward. I want them to look at us, two women who were once struggling nursing students but are now one step closer to success, and see us as role models,” adds Kristlin.

Their annual scholarship will allow current and future Flyers to explore their passion and pursue their calling as a nurse. And in each person that those students serve in the future, Bernetta and Kristlin’s gift will continue to be at work. Their act of kindness to change one life will, in turn, impact thousands.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Lewis Mission Moment: Michael Phipps ’13 – Life through "Eyes of Faith"

Although unable to always discern the big picture, Michael Phipps ’13 continued to turn to his faith and took comfort in the fact that he was being led by the wisdom of the Spirit, similarly to De La Salle. There have been twists, turns, and long winding roads throughout his journey which, in a way, have all brought Michael back to the place where his journey started.

Michael graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado in 2009. Not entirely sure of what the future held, he took a leap of faith and applied for Lasallian Volunteers (LV). Soon after, Michael made the move to Providence, Rhode Island where he began living in community and working at The San Miguel School as Director of Graduate Support.

His journey after LV continued right here at Lewis University where he worked as a Graduate Assistant for University Ministry and pursued a M.A. in School Counseling.

“In undergrad, I wanted to pursue a career in forensic psychology, but I felt inspired by my LV experience to switch gears and pursue school counseling. After helping to support the students in my volunteer program, I knew I had to find a way to make a career out of that. The counseling program at Lewis stood out to me because it taught you how not only to be a great counselor, but also how to infuse the Lasallian mission into your work. It was the perfect fit and shaped me into the counselor I am today,” says Michael

After graduating from Lewis in 2013, Michael was called to serve in a different way; he entered into the formal formation program and began living in community with the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Although this experience allowed him to open his heart and mind in many ways, Michael ultimately discerned away from brotherhood and continued working as a counselor.

Which all leads us to the here and now. Michael was recently appointed as Recruitment Coordinator with Lasallian Volunteers, the same program which he entered nearly a decade before in 2011.

“I have always approached my work as my vocation, which is essentially what led me to this career choice!” says Michael. “This program changed my life completely, even in some ways that I still cannot see or understand. Having the opportunity to grow up emerged in Lasallian heritage, be in formation with the Christian Brothers, and serve abroad, I feel that I have a unique perspective. These experiences will allow me to walk with and help others discern. I do not take lightly the place and space that discernment has in helping young people.”

Michael was born in Haiti but grew up near Yakima in Washington state. Throughout his life, he heavily relied on reflection and guidance from his support system, including his mother and twin sister, to openly discern. He always made it a priority to continue to grow and figure out how he could best meet the needs of the world.

“This is not just my job; it is my way of life. I like to consider myself a ‘lifetime Lasallian’, as many would call it. My new role, as I am learning, is embedded in so many aspects of the Lasallian world. I believe I have been called to exercise the ministry of presence in this role, which is so cornerstone to the Lasallian mission,” Michael adds.

Michael’s journey has brought him a deeper awareness of his vocation and the ability to continue to see the world through “eyes of faith.” Michael is confident that everything that happened in his life, happened for a reason – which is to be here in this new role guiding young men and women through their own journeys.