JOSHUA DRAKE (’01)

Where are you now living?
“Glasgow, Scotland.”

What was your degree?
“I received a Bachelor of Music in sacred music.”

What are you currently doing?
“I’m pursuing my Ph.D. in musicology at the University of Glasgow.”

What do you hope to do?
“Though the future is still very much God's alone, I would hope to be involved in teaching of some sort, either at the university level or, given the right situation, at the secondary level.”

What’s your favorite Union memory?
“I've developed many close relationships thanks to my time at Union, all of which serve me with fond memories. I have lots of great memories of my time in Barton 16 where I developed strong Christian brotherhood. I also recall the many Convocation services where all the academics wore their long flowing robes and Dr. Dockery spoke on the life of a thinking Christian. The former shaped my heart for love and the latter shaped my mind for service.”

What’s the biggest lesson you learned in college?
“God demands that His elect should serve Him with minds equipped and able. This means hard work and discipline… The Christian is therefore required and even demanded to push the limits of his or her own mental abilities and learn all he or she can for Christ's sake.”

What advice would you give to current Union students?
“Many would say, "Have fun while you are here." I would say, study as hard as you can. You can schedule in fun all your life, but only once is it allotted for you to be an undergraduate student...don't forget what this calling means.”

How did the events of September 11 impact you where you were?
“The events themselves didn't impact me any more where I was than they would have were I home in Tennessee. I was devastated beyond belief. Being abroad did make me aware, however, of the way American media gives one side of issues while there are several other positions left untouched. I found the hearing of these other positions at first painful and then liberating.”

BEN PETTY (’73)

Where are you now living?
“I’ve lived here in Hong Kong with my wife Elena and daughter Elizabeth Jean for more than 25 years, which includes the two years (1973-1975) I served in Hong Kong as a Missionary Journeyman with the Foreign Mission Board (now the International Mission Board), teaching English in a Chinese secondary school. Elizabeth is now attending school in Texas.”

What are you doing now?
“My wife and I returned to Hong Kong in 1979 and have been here ever since. We served as missionaries with the IMB until January 2000 when we resigned and joined the Hong Kong Baptist University where I serve as head of the International Student Exchange Office and as assistant professor in the Department of English Language and Literature.”

What’s your favorite Union memory?
“There are so many! As an English major, one of my favorite classroom experiences was with Mrs. Helen Blythe. I studied Shakespeare under her. Mrs. Blythe was an inspirational teacher; she made Shakespeare live for me.  Her commentary on the "To thine own self be true" passage from Hamlet has influenced me to this day. Another favorite memory was the opportunity via BSU (as it was called then) to serve on weekend revival teams with fellow BSUers. What wonderful experiences of spiritual growth those times were for me!”

What’s the biggest lesson you learned in college?
“I learned during university studies that the more one learns, the more one realizes how much more there is to learn. My days at Union got me off to a good beginning on the journey of life-long learning.”

What advice would you give to current Union students?
"’Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’ Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV). Also, get the most out of your university experience by taking part in a study abroad program. Nothing will broaden your horizons or change your life more! (Union is a Study Abroad partner with Hong Kong Baptist University; come join us!)”

How did the events of September 11, 2001 impact you where you were?
“We here in Hong Kong were just as devastated as the rest of the world as we watched the events unfold before our eyes on our home TVs. Many of my Chinese colleagues expressed regret and condolences to me and were themselves totally shocked.”

LAENA BULLER (’97)

Where are you now living?
“I was born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan Canada which is where I live now with my little girl who is four.”

What was your degree?
“I received a BSBA in management and marketing.”

What are you currently doing?
“I work for the Saskatchewan Government in the Forestry Land Use Planning Unit.”

What’s your favorite Union memory?
“My favorite memory of Union would have to be the lifetime friends I made with the faculty and students.”

What advice would you give to current Union students?
“Be true to yourself and stand up for what you believe. Keep your eyes on your goal!”

How did the events of September 11 impact you where you were?
The events of Sept. 11 shook me up as I work in a government building and we could have been a target as well.

APRIL FRANK (’99)

Where are you now living?
“A country in the Western Pacific.” (Editor’s Note: for security purposes, the name of the country has been omitted.)

What was your degree?
“I received a bachelor of science in social work.”

What are you currently doing?
“I am currently working in student evangelism as a journeyman for the IMB.”

What’s the biggest lesson you learned in college?
“I would have to say discipline. It is not easy to take a lot of classes, work full time, involve yourself in ministry and keep up on your walk all at the same time. I learned the faithfulness of Him and how I can become sufficient only by His grace and mercy. I definitely developed habits which are of the greatest importance to me out here. Through going on mission trips with Union and participating in off-campus ministries, I was able to develop skills for sharing the Truth with others that makes things out here a little easier.”

What advice would you give to current Union students?
“Definitely take advantage of the opportunities offered to you. It only gets harder to find them once you graduate.”