Cole Doolittle of Byron Center, Michigan, honored by Olivet Nazarene University for servant leadership

2018 May 16

Cole Doolittle is the 2018 male recipient of Olivet Nazarene University's annual presentation of The David and Ella Elwood Servant Leadership Awards. During the 2017-2018 academic year, he was a junior biology major at Olivet. Faculty, staff and fellow students nominated him for this honor. A resident of Byron Center, Michigan, he is the son of Jeffery and Kelly Doolittle.

While at Olivet, Doolittle has served as a co-leader of Lifesong, on ONU ministry teams, with Party for Jesus/Upper Room and as a representative on the Associated Student Council. In the local Kankakee, Illinois, community, he has volunteered as a mentor with Youth for Christ.

After graduation, Doolittle plans to attend graduate school and study environmental biology.

"When we witness things that break the heart of God, we must serve," Doolittle said. "This is a pillar of the Christian faith."

Now in its 11th year at Olivet, this award recognizes juniors who demonstrate - through a variety of service opportunities - the qualities of a servant's heart. As part of the award, each recipient receives $1,000. Of that amount, $250 is donated to the charity of his or her choice. Doolittle has designated Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

The Servant Leadership Award program is funded by the David and Ella Elwood Foundation to promote and foster servant leadership in the Olivet community and around the world. Dr. David Elwood is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Elwood Staffing Services, Inc., a leading provider of talent-based solutions. Ella Elwood is a Century 21 real estate agent in Columbus, Indiana. They have been married for 60 years and have three sons and eight grandchildren.

"The Elwoods represent all the qualities we celebrate as an Olivet community," said Dr. John C. Bowling, University president. "Their lives remind us that success is not just about the bottom line, but about relationships and achieving a higher purpose."