Belton, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor honored seniors Abigail McPhail of Copperas Cove and Jonah Fox of Waco today with the Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award, in recognition of the extraordinary time and energy they have devoted to ministry and community service during their years of study at UMHB. The recognition included a $1,000 cash award for each student, a portion of which could be donated to an organization of his or her choice.
McPhail is a communications major with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in marketing. With a 4.0 grade point average, she is a member of Alpha Chi honor society and has been named to the Provost’s Honor Roll the last six semesters. She has put her communication talents to use throughout her career at UMHB, helping to plan and promote campus activities such as Homecoming, Revival, and Easter Pageant. She serves this year as president of the University Ambassadors and has been recognized with both the Timothy Award and the Doulos Award as a student who demonstrates the teachings of Jesus in her daily life. McPhail gave a portion of her cash award to U.K. Missions, a program through which she has made several mission trips to Great Britain during her years at UMHB.
Fox is a Christian Studies major with a minor in International Business. He has been involved with Student Government throughout his college career, most recently serving as the 2017-18 Student body President. In addition to his campus activities, he has served at Vista Community Church in Temple as an intern, a ministry associate, an interim youth pastor, and currently as the Missions Coordinator. He has worked with local nonprofit groups such as Helping Hands, Family Promise, True Grind Ministries, and Feed My Sheep. He has also traveled to 15 different countries to serve and learn. Fox spent the 2017 summer break in the country of Lebanon, learning and implementing innovative strategies for reaching Syrian refugees with the Gospel. He chose to give a portion of his cash award to Mena Partners, the organization with which he went on his summer mission trip to Lebanon
The Gary and Diane Heavin Servant Leadership Award is used to highlight the efforts of students who devote their time and talents to Christian service and to encourage other students to follow their examples. The award is named for Mr. and Mrs. Gary Heavin, who established a generous endowment at UMHB to fund this recognition annually.
