Q Union features student and national speakers
Sarah Sajja, a senior biology major, speaks at Q Union. All photos by Taylor Baker.
On Oct. 24, students from all over campus gathered in Pangle Hall to attend the annual leadership conference known as Q Union. Striving to be a catalyst for conversation, this event has been hosted every fall semester since 2017.
This year, students heard from global leaders Rebekah Lyons, Malcolm Gladwell and Francis Chan via broadcast. These prominent figures spoke on the topics “Establish Daily Rhythms,” “Talk To Strangers” and “Build True Community.”
“Every year, Q Union raises the awareness to speak up about what you are passionate about and to know that your voice has room at each table,” said senior psychology major Kiara Quick. “Sometimes it is truly hard to speak up, but hearing from different speakers and then our very own students change the dynamic.”
Along with nationally-known speakers, students also heard live presentations from three campus leaders — Randyl Music, Sarah Sajja and Matthew Samples — on the topics “Internal Resistance,” “Who’s in Your Circle” and “Habit of Unlearning.”
According to Sajja, a senior biology major, Q Union is intentionally crafted to challenge and encourage students.
“Q Union is a creative and open space where college students are being equipped with the tools to better themselves as followers of Jesus and to carry what they have learned to their communities,” said Sajja. ”It is a place where we students can be challenged in their thought process yet be encouraged to celebrate the change that has already taken place.”
Sajja’s presentation, “Who’s in Your Circle,” encouraged students to broaden their sphere of influence.
“It's rare in Christian circles to befriend those who don't follow Christ. But if we are to represent the Kingdom here on Earth, then every aspect of our lives should reflect that — especially the people that we are around,” said Sajja. “ We misrepresent God's design for community when everyone in our close circles looks like us, thinks like us and acts like us.”
After hearing from the speakers, students took time to reflect and respond to the seminars with their peers.
“I liked the response conversations because it gave each of the students personal time to reflect on how each speaker spoke to them,” said freshman theology major Brianna Cunningham.
The night’s conversations even left some students feeling inspired.
“Q Union is not just a one-night event,” said senior French major Hailey Warner. “Students can take what they learn and apply it to their lives. It inspires deeper thinking and is a call to action.”
To find more information on future Q Union events, visit qunion.co/lee.
