From the volleyball court to Upper Room worship, from hosting “Orange Juice Nights” in his apartment to participation in worship nights held by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Matthew DeGraaf ‘27 exemplifies leadership at Geneva. As a senior secondary math education major on the fast track through college, he has invested heavily in the campus community, striving to prepare himself for the role of a teacher. While heavily invested in multiple areas of campus life, many on campus recognize him first and foremost as a mainstay of the men’s volleyball team.

“I played all throughout high school and middle school on my high school volleyball team,” says Matthew. “Coming into college was different, though. A little nerve-wracking … the first game I got to start, I mean, this is college volleyball, competition’s a lot higher. But the team was great, really welcoming to me, and so was the coach. I really felt cared for as a person, not just as a player.

“I think there’s a leadership aspect in volleyball. I’m the team’s chaplain [which] involves me leading a Bible study once a week with the guys, helping out in any way that I can. But I think learning to be a leader, not even as a team chaplain but just helping out, [saying] ‘You’re struggling in this way, how can I help from my knowledge and experience?’ and displaying that in the best way possible that helps you understand the issues and how to grow and just doing that in the most loving way, because you’re friends.”

Matthew compares this style of leadership to what he’s learning in his education studies: “Teaching is very similar, where you know your material a lot better than the students, so you display that in a way that’s kind and is most helpful for them. Good teachers are teachers that build friendships with their students, not ones that just come in and teach. We’ve been talking a lot in my classes about having a hospitable classroom, one that’s welcoming and open, where you spend time building those friendships.”

Discussing what inspired him to become a teacher, Matthew cites the late Professor Ed Dambach, emeritus associate professor of mathematics, as part of the reason he chose to study math education. “I started looking: what are my interests, what am I good at, where has God gifted me? I started coming to Geneva for dual-enrollment in high school. I took Calculus One and Calculus Two with Mr. Dambach ... he made me fall in love with math and with teaching. It helped me realize that I have a passion and desire to help people.”

Helping people is the consistent theme of Matthew’s college activities. Outside of volleyball and academics, Matthew serves on the leadership team for Upper Room, Geneva’s student-led worship service. As a volunteer, his focus is on running logistics for the event.

Matthew began his Geneva journey in his senior year of high school, taking classes at the College through Geneva’s dual enrollment program. After first coming to Geneva for his dual enrollment classes, Matthew quickly developed a love for the community and the school at large, as well as his professors. “I knew I wanted to come to college here,” he said. His early college work allowed him to earn his degree in only three years. Matthew intends to settle down near Geneva and find a job locally. Matthew is confident in his future, commenting that he will go “wherever God opens up opportunities and ends up leading me.”

Reflecting on his time at Geneva, Matthew says, “[Geneva offers] lots of opportunities to host and pour into others ... there’s something really unique about Geneva. The students are really welcoming and eager to host and build friendships.” Geneva has long had a culture of hospitality and friendship among its students, and students like Matthew DeGraaf highlight that culture.