Greenville, S.C. (November 21, 2013) – In the University’s chapel service Nov. 21, Dr. Stephen Jones, president of Bob Jones University, awarded Tara Solomon, a senior music education major from Rochester Hills, Mich., the Second-Miler Award.
One of six President’s Club awards, the Second-Miler Award is given to a student who has shown extraordinary concern for a fellow student and given time or resources to meet that student’s need.
Tara’s roommates nominated her for extending herself beyond her basic responsibilities as a resident assistant. They wrote, “Tara is an RA in Gaston and takes her job to the next level. There are certain things that are expected from an RA. However, Tara goes above and beyond for “her girls.” Before classes started, Tara took time from her busy schedule to take all the freshmen on her hall to breakfast and on a campus tour. She also distributed her cell phone number to all the girls and told them to call or text her at any time for anything. This is anything from problems with classes, work, or even guys, to questions with the rules or about the Bible. Tara had us write in our planners an appointment for devotions every day. She holds us accountable for keeping our appointment with God. Tara encourages us when we do something right, but also corrects us when we do something wrong and leads us in the right direction. We are so thankful to be Tara’s roommates and can truly say that Tara has shown extraordinary concern for us and has given of herself to meet our needs.”
The balance of encouragement and accountability is a difficult one to maintain but a worthy one to pursue. Though no one can pursue this perfectly, we appreciate those in our student body, like Tara, who desire to minister this way to their peers.
Students are nominated for President’s Club awards by faculty, staff and their peers, and a committee selects the final recipients from the nominations received. In addition to recognition in a President’s Club chapel, recipients have their photo displayed in the university Student Center and enjoy dinner with the president.
