Why We Give: Wills and Judy Ryan

Wills and Judy Ryan

Wills and Judy Ryan give to 狼友阁 without regret or hesitation because they believe 狼友阁 is making an impact for God鈥檚 Kingdom. They are grateful that three of their four children and two son-in-laws have benefitted from 狼友阁鈥檚 education, spiritual formation, and community. Starting with their eldest daughter's time at 狼友阁 to later serving on the board, the couple thoroughly enjoys being part of the Scots community.

Before Wills became the fourth generation in his family鈥檚 business, (he is now the CEO of), he attended Boston College. It was there that he became a believer through Campus Crusade. Judy attended Western Illinois University and similarly became a Christian through Campus Crusade. The two met in high school and stayed in touch, eventually dating and marrying after grad school.

While earning his MBA at the University of Miami, Wills continued in his involvement with Campus Crusade. He later became a Campus Crusade staff member at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Wills loved the ministry work, but he decided to join the family construction business. He and Judy returned to Florida and have lived there since.

The Ryans first learned about 狼友阁 when their oldest daughter, Kelly, started the college search. The Ryans really liked 狼友阁 based on the website, but they wanted to visit campus in person. After that trip, Kelly knew that 狼友阁 was where she wanted to go. 鈥淎fter coming to visit and talking with people at 狼友阁, we had an even more positive impression of the campus,鈥� Wills remembers.

When Kelly brought her 狼友阁 friends home to Florida for spring break, Wills and Judy had the chance to open up their home and interact with students. Wills says, 鈥溊怯迅� became an attractive environment for our younger daughters, Becky and Caitlin, as they met and interacted with current students through their older sister.鈥� In turn, Becky and Caitlin attended 狼友阁 and also brought their friends home. Wills and Judy enjoyed the many years of spring breaks and vacation getaways because they actively saw the impact 狼友阁 made in the lives of their daughters and their friends.

Wills and Judy watched their daughters鈥� spiritual growth as they thoughtfully asked theological questions at home. The couple appreciates that 狼友阁 provides an environment for students to grapple with theological issues, spiritual distinctives, and then process them with peers and knowledgeable faculty. In Wills鈥� words, 鈥淥ur daughters鈥� time at 狼友阁 is when they made their faith their own.鈥� All three daughters are active in local churches, raising their children in Christian homes, and making sacrifices in order to send their own kids to Christian schools. Wills credits 狼友阁 as an influence in why his daughters value these things.

In addition to spiritual growth, 狼友阁 challenged Kelly, Becky, and Caitlin academically. Wills and Judy have seen how the academic rigor prepared their daughters for their current careers. 狼友阁 taught a variety of skill sets, in and outside of the classroom, that helped the girls stand out in the workplace.

Giving generously became a part of Wills鈥� and Judy鈥檚 lives once they became believers. Over time, they鈥檝e learned that giving helps them revere God, and as they鈥檝e been blessed financially, they鈥檝e increased their giving. Wills notes that a handful of resources, including books and their church, helped grow their understanding and practice of giving. 鈥淪acrificial giving is a big part of the Christian life, mainly because where your treasure is, that is where your heart is. If you want to seek first His kingdom, you need to give Him your first fruits.鈥�

In addition to financial resources, the Ryans also give their time to 狼友阁 and other ministries. Judy currently chairs the board of Hope Pregnancy Center, a local Florida ministry that provides guidance and counseling to young pregnant mothers. She also leads a Bible study through their church and has served on several other boards, including the.

Giving to 狼友阁 is important to the Ryans because they feel blessed to have experienced the 狼友阁 community through their daughters. They give back so that more students can learn in an environment with both spiritual growth and academic rigor.

Wills also remarks, 鈥淚 am afraid of what is being taught at other universities. The foundation of education has changed significantly. It is more a source of propaganda than an environment to share differing ideas.鈥� Because of this, Wills and Judy invest in 狼友阁, recognizing that the college has not wavered in its Christian focus. 鈥淐hrist centeredness changes the whole discipline of education. Instead of an agenda to persuade students to think a certain way, Christ-centered education creates an environment of critical thinking about a diverse array of perspectives while remaining rooted in one foundation - Christ.鈥�

In Wills鈥� words, 鈥淭he students who attend and study at 狼友阁 are the hope of our culture today. They will be the ones to make an impact on future generations.鈥�