Hey, Evangel,

Welcome back from break! What a way to kick off the semester with fresh snow covering the campus. As we bundle up for the cold days ahead, we have plenty to keep you informed and inspired this week. Check out tips to stay safe in freezing weather, photos from the recent snow day, and highlights from Valor basketball action. Plus, we are featuring Evangel’s Centers of Excellence and details about how you can join the upcoming MLK Day march.

Stay warm and stay connected!

- Valor Media Staff 

Photo by Warren Leffler, courtesy of the Library of Congress.
 
On Monday, Jan. 20, there will be no classes at Evangel University in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Martin Luther King Jr. is best known for his role as a prominent civil rights leader who advanced civil rights through nonviolent activism. 
 
Weather permitting, the Springfield chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People will host the annual Martin Luther King Jr. march in honor of King. The march will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Brightspeed Ice Park in downtown Springfield, and participants will walk to the Gillioz Theatre.
 
In addition to honoring King's legacy, attendees will have the opportunity to support local clothing banks by donating socks, coats, gloves, and hand warmers during the event. According to the NAACP, these donations will go to individuals in need within the Springfield community.
 
This year, Evangel University will not be organizing an official group to attend the march. However, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate individually to show their support for  King's message of justice, equality and service.
 
For more information about the event, including weather-related updates, visit the event's Facebook page linked below.

Dangerously cold temperatures expected in Springfield

Photo by Madison Mabry.

According to the National Weather Service, another cold surge is expected to hit the Springfield area this weekend, with temperatures plummeting 15 to 25 degrees below normal. 

These conditions can bring serious risks without proper preparation. In an email sent to students at the start of the semester, Vice President of Student Development Mark Enztminger shared several tips to help students navigate campus safely during severe winter weather. He advised students to stick to cleared pathways, “wear shoes with good traction,” and “assume everything is slick” when walking outdoors. Layering clothing is another key strategy for staying warm and trapping in heat. In addition, covering the head and hands with hats and gloves significantly reduces heat loss.

For those opting to stay inside during the cold, Enztminger encouraged students to use the time to connect with friends through games, movies, or other indoor activities.

With temperatures expected to remain well below normal in the coming days, students are encouraged to take appropriate precautions to stay safe. Following campus safety guidelines can help reduce risks associated with winter weather conditions.

Photos from January`s snowday.

Top: Several students spent the day Friday building an igloo outside of Scott Hall. 
Top left: Friday's winter storm brought just over six inches of snow to Evangel's campus.
Top right: Students battled it out during a campus-wide snowball fight, making the most of the fresh snowfall.
Middle left: Avery Marmon, junior, joined the fun at the snowball fight on Friday.
Bottom left: A group of girls led by Camryn Burt, senior, and Olivia Starke, junior, initiated a surprise snowball attack on the quad. 
Bottom right: Chloe Kadow, sophomore, and Kynedy Davis, junior, ran across campus with snow in hand, ready to start a snowball fight.
Photos by Madison Mabry.

The first snowstorm of 2025 hit Evangel on Friday, Jan. 10, closing campus. With classes canceled, students took full advantage of the winter weather, turning the campus into a snowy playground. Snowball fights broke out across the quad and groups of friends crafted snowmen and snow angels. The impromptu winter fun brought students together, creating lasting memories to start the new semester with joy and laughter. Check out the photos to see how Evangel made the most of the snow day.

Evangel`s Centers of Excellence

Graphic by Nadia Fletcher. 
 
From academic support to community service opportunities, Evangel University’s centers for excellence offer students tools to succeed both in and out of the classroom. The center for student success provides academic coaching, mock interviews and a professional clothing closet to help students prepare for future careers. Meanwhile, the center for compassion encourages students to serve the local community. Other centers offer resources in areas like biblical preaching and Islamic studies. Read more to discover how these centers impact student life and provide opportunities for growth.

Photos by Madison Mabry 
 
Over winter break, both Evangel basketball teams saw competitive action on the court. The women’s basketball team proved dominant on the court with an impressive 5-1 record. The men’s team battled through with a 3-3 record. Both teams now turn their attention to the second half of the season, with their next game set for Saturday at the AG Financial Arena. The women will take the court at noon and the men's game will follow at 2 p.m. 
 

More at EUValormedia.com

1111 N Glenstone Ave,
Springfield, MO 65802
 
 

 
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