Donor Impact
Naji Saker
Naji Saker
Graduation year: 2016
Major(s) Chemistry with a Coaching Minor
Hometown: Beaverton, Ore.
April 9, 2015, is a day I will remember forever. This day was a climax to many things that had been in the works that year, and it think it's most memorable to me because it really brought the things I love into perspective. Early that year, for Jan Term, I had traveled abroad and done medical-service work in Guatemala. While I was there I formed great friendships with the La Mision staff and learned a lot about myself and my journey with God.
As I returned to Whitworth for that spring semester I had track season and the ASWU elections ahead of me. April 9 marked the date of the general elections. The morning of the 9th I work up and saw a quote posted by one of the leaders from the Guatemala team we worked with: “If I lose today, God, help me see that your plan is greater than my dream.” Long story short, I lost the general election later that day. It was hard to lose the election after having invested so much time into campaigning. But I was able to rally and start my next days just as ambitious to succeed as before, because I knew that that elected office wasn't the plan God had for me; I knew that something that suited me better was still to come.
A year later I look at that day and realize that my dream was absolutely not the right path. But God's plan for me gave me the opportunity to invest more into my track TEAMmates and become a captain; I was able to lead the trip to Guatemala for my senior Jan Term; I was able to spend more time shadowing physicians in town; and I have had the chance to work in student life as one of the interns. That day taught me to be patient with the next steps in my life, and it has taught me to get right back up when I fail but to keep trying because the right doors will open when I'm ready. As much as Whitworth has provided me with opportunities to learn and grow, none of this would be possible without the generous love and contributions from our donors.
Thank you to all those who have given to Whitworth and have given me the opportunity to be here. You've had such an impact on my life within my studies and toward my dreams of being a doctor by providing funding to the lab I worked in. You've provided us athletes with phenomenal facilities, jerseys and support so that we can keep competing at our best. Finally, you've helped make these last four years the best years of my life by supporting the school financially and in turn helping me stay at – and, soon, to graduate from – Whitworth University.