By Kathryn Ross
Jensen A. Kirkendall graduated from APU in May 2020 with a degree in English Literature and Honors Humanities as well as a Philosophy Minor.
During his time at APU, Kirikendall's studies were shaped by his affinity for curiosity. His professors exposed him to new ideas, thoughts, and ways of living that have changed and developed his worldview. While his interests spanned different areas of study, Kirkendall maintains that English and literature remain his first love.
"Though I have interest in many disciplines due to my deeply formative experiences in the Honors College's Great Works program and at High Sierra, I always come back to literature," says Kirkendall. "Literature demonstrates the importance of beauty and of language in the human experience. Though some have tried to trivialize art, the human instinct to steward the act of creation runs deep in us, and we cannot help but be moved by beauty."
"Language," Kirkendall continues, "is also a core aspect of how we experience the world and one another. Literature is where we find both art and language that allows us to feel depth and profundity in the human experience."
Kirkendall is pursuing a continued engagement with literature in his M.A. in English at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. "I was awarded a Graduate Assistantship," Kirkendall notes of his post-grad work. "Which provides full tuition, a monthly stipend, and employment with the University [of Wake Forest]."
Kirkendall attributes his success to his time as an undergrad, "The APU English department faculty and the Honors College faculty gave me exactly the skills I need to continue growing as a scholar in my discipline." He expects to finish his M.A. in 2022.
While his education so far has been extremely fulfilling, Kirkendall also stresses that his time at APU was more than just school work. "My professors gifted me with an education of the heart and soul as well as the mind," he says. "I think this is the primary way they equipped me to continue on in education as a Christ-follower."
Kirkendall also reflects on what was most meaningful during his college years. As far as a single moment, "there are far too many," Kirkendall says. "But there were so many interactions with professors and fellow students that helped me grow. Perhaps one worthy of special note is Dr. Caleb Spencer's admonition that life is hard and is supposed to be hard, but we've somehow come to believe the myth that we're doing life right if it's easy."
Kirkendall's experience shows that a liberal arts education expands beyond classroom learning and develops a sense of meaning, purpose, and wonder. As a word of parting advice, Kirkendall offers this to future and current APU students:
"School is not life. Education is a gift, a privilege, and an opportunity that should be taken seriously, but it is not the only thing of worth in life. There are many aspects of life that are worth time and attention. Education is one among many, and education is not just about teaching the intellect––the body, the soul, and the heart are all involved in education. So much of academia is a chasing after the wind, so we have to learn to love and serve for a higher purpose. In the midst of Covid this has been especially apparent to me—a healthy life is one rooted in connection with each other and connection with our Maker."
