Author Shauna Niequist answers student questions about her life and work.Photo credit: Hunter Foote
A wife, mother, writer, speaker and longtime friend of Azusa Pacific, Shauna Niequist spoke at both Wednesday and Friday morning chapels last week as a part of the Staley Lecture Series. Niequist opened up the floor to further questions with more than 90 APU students during a small-group discussion Wednesday, Feb. 26 in the Upper Turner Campus Center.
Niequist’s time at APU last week marked her third visit to APU, and her fourth appearances in morning chapel, as well as her return for the first time since giving the 2012 spring commencement speech, according to Tim Peck, director of chapel programs.
After an unexpected cancellation of last year’s Niequist chapel, some students were thrilled to welcome her back to campus. Those living across the globe were able to watch chapel online.
“@sniequist I will be watching from the South Africa campus! Wish I could be there in person!” sophomore communication studies major Kristin Atwan wrote on her Twitter page Feb. 24.
At Wednesday morning’s chapel, Niequist discussed Psalm 16 and the importance of people being content within themselves just as God created them.
“God has created a life for you—a place, a vision, a calling,” Niequist said in chapel. “He has given you a set of gifts and skills, and a set of opportunities and invitations. Contentment is when we look at those good things and we see them as God’s good gift to us, instead of looking at what is missing and instead of trying to live someone else’s life.”
Wednesday afternoon’s discussion, a small Q-and-A hosted by the Women’s Resource Center, the Office of Orientation and Transitions and the Office of Discipleship Ministries, included refreshments and desserts created from recipes included in Niequist’s cookbook and collection of essays, “Bread and Wine.”
Following the discussion, guests were invited to purchase books at a discounted rate and have them signed by Niequist, as well as take a picture with the author.
Although primarily geared toward students, the event was also attended by staff, faculty, parents and other family members. According to admissions counselor Shayna Youngs, the women in her office were thrilled to take a break from the workday to attend the event and listen to wise words from one of their favorite authors.
“We have a lot of women of many different ages in our office and yet the simple message of grace, friendship and rawness rings true for everyone,” Youngs said. “So when we heard our girl Shauna was speaking, we blocked out our calendars and got a front-row seat. Plus, being able to talk ‘Nashville’ and J. Crew with her after the Q-and-A made us swoon for her even more. We are thankful for her vulnerability and boldness as a woman.”
A Facebook event page was created by Stacie Champine, director of orientation and transitions, weeks prior to the discussion in hopes of gathering students to share in this extended time with Niequist. Approximately 70 guests RSVP’d to the event on Facebook, but more than 95 attended.
Questions ranged from writing advice to pregnancy. Even some men, who are not Niequist’s typical target audience, were moved by what she had to say. Senior business finance major Wesley Tullis, senior psychology major George Ramirez and senior math major Joe Ledbetter all sat front row at Wednesday’s discussion after hearing Niequist speak in chapel.
According to Ramirez and Tullis, who had never heard of Niequist until this week, most men initially assumed she catered specifically to women, but were surprised to see that was not the case.
“Even though she is older than us, she did a great job of relating to college students,” Tullis said. “Her ability to connect with us, and the words she has to say, are so much more meaningful because of the experiences she has had.”
Niequist wrapped up her time on campus at Friday morning chapel, where she challenged students with the idea of forgiveness, saying that forgiving others is a necessary part of relationships and can result in personal freedom. She ended on a positive note, encouraging students to stand up and think of a person who may have wronged them, and move forward with that forgiveness.
“One of my favorite things is getting to speak at places where I feel we have a relationship and we have built something over time, and I have loved getting to be here with you all,” Niequist told the chapel audience.