My name is Andrew Farie. I’m from Mt. Vernon Ohio. I knew from the very first time I was on campus and overlooked Cincinnati that Cincinnati Christian University was the only place I wanted to attend college. CCU and the City found a place in my heart.
Knowing where I was going was the easy part, it was figuring out all the rest: what to take, what to expect, what to study and the big one was money. I actually did not realize how big of a deal this was until I came to sign up for classes, I got a quick tour of campus, introduction to things and then I was sent to the financial aid office to review my tuition costs. When I saw the bill, it was almost over whelming. My first thought was how am I going to pay this?
I returned home and decided to approach my Dad for help. There had always been tension between us and it had only gotten worse when my parents divorced. We didn’t do the father-son things, but I figured this would be a point where he could help me. I did one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life, I called him and asked for his help. Upon his advice I went to the bank the next day and learned I would need a co-signer. But my Dad’s response was “Son I can’t help you.” Frustrated I then turned to my Mom and learned she would be filing bankruptcy one week before I was to leave for college.
Not only was money the big issue, through out the summer my car had endless problems. After one of the break downs I said a quick prayer “God, just get me to Cincinnati that’s all I ask.”
I now had a choice: stay in Mt. Vernon or head out for CCU. I packed my bags and headed south to Cincinnati. In my haste I would later discover I had packed no hangers or socks. My car was running on a prayer and I had no money. But I did have hope. Within two weeks of being at CCU my car quit.
I went to the financial aid office and met a wonderful woman, Linda Waugh. She told me things I needed to do. During the first semester I made some really good friends and CCU felt like home, but there was one thought that continued to cross my mind, is this my last semester, or just the beginning, am I going to pack my bags and have to leave within the next few months? Right before break, I was unsure of what was going to happen, Linda told me to fill out forms for classes and we would see. It is comforting when someone has hope for the same thing you do, your not so lonely.
After worrying about it all through Christmas break, I finally came back, and there was this huge envelope in my mail box which I thought was going to read “Dear Andrew get your stuff and get out.” But it didn’t, it actually showed that all my tuition was paid with a little extra left.
CCU has given me opportunities for ministry such as traveling on a camp team and serving at Bloc Ministries in Price Hill where I work with kids from the neighborhood. I’m grateful that CCU had hope in me and has truly impacted my life. I couldn’t imagine what life would be like without coming to
Class of 2008
Building Christian
leaders . . . one person at a time.
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