Jeslyn Roat of Greenville, Illinois, honored with Olivet's 2017 Servant Leadership Award

2017 Apr 18

Jeslyn Roat of Greenville, Illinois, is a 2017 recipient of The David and Ella Elwood Servant Leadership Award at Olivet Nazarene University. She was nominated by faculty, staff and fellow students for this honor. She has demonstrated - through a variety of service opportunities - the qualities of a servant's heart.

Roat is a junior, majoring in social work at Olivet. She has served as a reading volunteer for a local elementary school, a children's church volunteer, a mentor to junior high students, a volunteer at a pregnancy resource center - to name just a few of her many service activities. She has also had the privilege of being part of three mission trip experiences.

After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate school or go directly into a social work career.

"My motivation to serve is rooted in the belief that I have been called by Christ to serve others," Roat says. "I believe God has wired me for my future vocation as a full-time social worker. I'm ready to help anyone He places in my path. I want to lead as a servant and by following Christ's example."

Now in its 10th year at Olivet, this award recognizes juniors who demonstrate 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. Roat has designated Kankakee Pregnancy Resource Center.

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, an Olivet alumnus, is a clinical psychologist and the founder of Elwood Staffing Services, Inc., a leading provider of talent-based solutions. Ella Elwood, an Olivet alumna, 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.