GWU Liberal Arts education prepared alumna for ministry in a variety of settings

“Every single one of my classes prepared me for my career, since interpreters are called to be generalists in an age of specialists. Interpreters need to be ‘renaissance people’ who know a little bit about everything with the ability to use critical thinking and split-second application in highly contextual environments.”

When she graduated from �۶�ֱ�� University with a degree in American Sign Language (ASL) and theatre arts, Christina Whitehouse-Suggs ’99 was ready to tackle whatever situation came her way. “Every single one of my classes prepared me for my career, since interpreters are called to be generalists in an age of specialists,” she explained. “Interpreters need to be ‘renaissance people’ who know a little bit about everything with the ability to use critical thinking and split-second application in highly contextual environments.”

She worked as an ASL interpreter while she and her husband, Matthew Suggs, earned Master of Divinity degrees. They were ordained, and both served as pastors. Then she was offered a position as the first associate coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of South Carolina (CBFSC). After serving over four years in that role, she went back to full-time, private practice interpreting and co-pastored a South Carolina church with her husband.

In 2014, the couple moved to Washington, D.C., and she went to work as an ASL interpreter for the federal government. Her job also includes coordinating programs and presenting reports and briefings. In her free time, Whitehouse-Suggs continues to officiate weddings, visit churches as a guest preacher, interpret in a private capacity mostly for concerts and plays and perform in community theatre and fundraisers.

She is grateful for the ASL professors at �۶�ֱ�� who gave her encouragement and guidance that led to a deeper understanding of the Deaf culture, and the theatre professor who introduced “layers of theatre, acting, and directing that have influenced my entire life,” she observed. “I still utilize techniques he taught me when I am preaching, acting, or interpreting.”

Her GWU art professor opened her eyes to the beauty of architecture, design, and art interpretation, and in political science class, she developed a better understanding of world events. A math professor finally helped her to make sense of math problems. “Her patience and good humor were the only things that saw me through statistics,” Whitehouse-Suggs asserted. “I currently work with large batches of data and create reports that frequently reference principles I learned in her classes.”

A native of Miami, Fla., Whitehouse-Suggs transferred to GWU never having visited the campus. She chose the University based on admission materials and conversations with the dean of admissions. “Honestly, I stumbled on �۶�ֱ��, and it ended up being the perfect fit for me,” she reflected. “�۶�ֱ�� provides a robust liberal arts education in a beautiful setting with faculty that genuinely care about your future success. The skills you learn and the relationships you cultivate will prepare you well for whatever path you choose in life.”

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Student combines majors in Theatre and World Religions to prepare for ministry

“Theatre gives you so many skills that are useful in both ministry and life. Acting allows you to develop skills in presentation, communication, and professionalism so that no matter what field you go into, you can communicate well.”

At �۶�ֱ�� University, alumna Bekah Rhea tailored her education to her interests and goals. “I was originally only going to have one major, world religions. I decided that would be best as I pursued a career in cross-cultural ministry,” Rhea offered. “But when I visited �۶�ֱ��, I asked about the theatre program because I’ve been active in theatre since the sixth grade. The faculty won me over. I figured, ‘If I was going to keep theatre, why not go ahead and major in that, too?’ Theatre gives you so many skills that are useful in both ministry and life. Acting allows you to develop skills in presentation, communication, and professionalism so that no matter what field you go into, you can communicate well.”

When she graduated from GWU in 2017, she was awarded a full scholarship to McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. She’s working on a Master of Divinity with a certificate in community development. She is seeking a job where she can cultivate relationships between communities and institutions, like churches and non-profits, to create positive, sustainable change.

“It’s a growing field right now, so everyone has a different name for it,” Rhea explained. “The term I use is ‘Outreach Coordinator.’ I want to be a liaison of sorts between the church and the communities they claim to serve. This might mean independently consulting with churches and non-profits to evaluate their outreach practices, or joining a non-profit, or educating congregations on issues of public policy and activism.”

She said her �۶�ֱ�� professors gave her the academic background she needed to succeed in seminary. “It was the advanced religion courses at GWU that helped me realize I wanted to go to seminary, and that laid the groundwork for all that I am studying now,” she affirmed.

Rhea she also works in the admissions office at McAfee and serves as a faculty assistant to Dr. Graham Walker, professor of systematic theology. She obtained the position with Walker because of her unique double major. “Dr. Walker mainly teaches theology courses at McAfee, but he also specializes in Theology and Culture, and grew up as an MK (Missionary Kid) in the Philippines,” Rhea related. “When I met him, he was fascinated by my choice to combine Theatre Arts and World Religions. He mentioned having several creative projects in mind and not always enough time for them. A few days later, when I went to get my work study assignment, they said that Dr. Walker requested me specifically, because my unique combination of expertise stood out to him as being especially relevant.”

Through her studies, Rhea has discovered deeper connections between theatre and theology. “Theatre history and church history intersect more than you would think, but more importantly what we see in both theatre and religion is the prominence of narrative,” Rhea observed. “Our individual narratives collide to create community and cultural narratives that inevitably influence theological thought. All those narratives, individual and collective, affect theology and the relationship between church and community.”

While studying Thomas Merton, a well-known Catholic contemplative of the 20th century, she researched his poetry and theories as to how art is analogous to religious experience. “Essentially, God is greater than what we can logically imagine,” she noted. “So when we encounter the divine, our words are not enough. We use images to express that experience. Similarly, theatre in general, presents an attempt to harness common human experience, to create and question meaning.”

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GWU alumna praised for directing talents on stage and in film

“My GWU liberal arts education gave me a good foundation to begin my professional career and piqued my curiosity in a lot of different areas, such as learning about Jack Kerouac from Dr. Matt Theado (former English professor), meditation from Dr. Kent Blevins (professor of religious studies), and American history from the great Dr. Tony Eastman (professor emeritus of history). This foundation helped me grow, not just as a director, but as a well-rounded human being.”

Theater critics in Washington, D.C., are taking notice of Amber McGinnis, 2004 alumna of �۶�ֱ�� University. Recent articles in the Washington Post and Broadway World describe McGinnis as “rising through the directing ranks in DC Theater.” The Bessemer City, N.C., native came to GWU to major in religious studies with a missions focus, but adjusted her plans after discovering her interest in theater arts.

“I’ve always been interested in service. At the time, I thought that literally meant I had to go into mission work,” McGinnis reflected. “But after I got more involved in my theater courses—which started as a minor then progressed into a second major—I realized that storytelling was my medium for breaking down barriers and creating empathy in the world.”

As she worked on GWU productions and took theater classes, McGinnis began to see theater as a profession, not a hobby. “I can attribute that to the professionalism of Scott Lahaie and Christopher Keene, who were the professors that ran the department during that time. There was a moment when I was being inducted into the Alpha Chi Honors society that Professor Lahaie looked at me and said, ‘You’re a born director’ – and I haven’t looked back since.”

After graduation, McGinnis moved to Charlotte, N.C., to work on building her theater resume. Then, she moved to Texas to attend graduate school at Baylor University. After receiving her Master of Fine Arts in Directing, she moved to the DC area and lives in Takoma Park, Md. “For the last 8 years, I have worked as a theater director at dozens of local theaters and as a screenwriter/director for a production company called WILL Interactive that creates interactive films,” McGinnis related. “I’ve also worked as a producer for the Kennedy Center Honors. Most recently, I started my own production company to support my freelance filmmaking career, and I’m preparing to direct my first feature-length film.”

She believes the liberal arts education she received from �۶�ֱ�� also contributed to her success. “It gave me a good foundation to begin my professional career and piqued my curiosity in a lot of different areas, such as learning about author Jack Kerouac from Dr. Matt Theado (former English professor), meditation from Dr. Kent Blevins (professor of religious studies), and American history from the great, Dr. Tony Eastman (professor emeritus of history). This foundation helped me grow, not just as a director, but as a well-rounded human being.”

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