DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
AWARD WINNERS
CHRIS LOWERY IWU-N&G Distinguished Alumni
Chris Lowery is the 2024 Distinguished National & Global Alumni Award recipient for his work in education, having graduated in 2018 with a Master of Science in Management. By the time Chris Lowery arrived at IWU, he’d already done a great deal in life. The path to his current work was “a rather circuitous route,” in Lowery’s words, beginning in public policy under former Indiana Governor Orr, before moving to business and industry when he became involved in education and workforce development with both Hillenbrand and the Batesville school board, to being recruited by Ivy Tech Community College to lead the college’s Workforce and Careers efforts, and then to be recruited to the role in he currently fills—Commissioner for Higher Education. In many ways, he feels it is his calling at this point in life, blending his love of public policy, rich experiences with an Indiana stalwart in business, nearly a decade of higher education leadership, and now the gift of being able to lend those experiences to the needs of our state and fellow Hoosiers.
While Lowery already had significant background in leading and managing organizations by this point, IWU provided an excellent education to support his own background in leading and managing organizations. “It introduced me to other learners and instructors with varying backgrounds and experiences from which to learn,” says Lowery. IWU also allowed him to pursue and complete his master’s degree—for his own fulfillment, for professional enhancement, and to show his children it was possible. “Indiana Wesleyan University has offered thousands of students the opportunities and possibilities associated with the outcomes of higher education, grounded in the moral and ethical foundations of faith,” Lowery said. “Personally, I cannot imagine having pursued by graduate studies and degree anywhere else.”
In his current role as the Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education, Lowery has set records in increased funding for the Frank O’Bannon grant, enrollment of 21st Century Scholars, Pre-Admissions imitations for high school seniors, and more. He also firmly believes that education is critically necessary for the fabric of civil society. He also currently serves as a board member for United Way of Central Indiana, Shepherd Community, Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet, State Higher Education Executive Officers Organization, Council for Adult Experiential Learning, and TechPoint. Lowery is also a former board member of the Sagamore Institute, AgriNovus Indiana, Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, Gleaners Food Bank, and more. Lowery has been named Sagamore of the Wabash, one of Indiana’s 250 Most Influential, Distinguished Alumni O’Neill School of Public Affairs, and received the Distinguished Service Award. Lowery goes to Batesville United Methodist Church with his wife, Jerilyn.
Originally from Australia, Distinguished Wesley Seminary Alumni Award recipient Darren Whitehead moved to the US twenty-five years ago. In 2013, he and his wife Brandy planted Church of the City in Nashville, TN, as Darren was completing his Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership program through Wesley Seminary. Speaking about his experience with IWU, Darren called it “a strong foundation when navigating church leadership in the complex days we’re living in.” He was especially fascinated by Professor Elizabeth Drury’s insights on applying the gospel to different cultural contexts.
Since graduating in 2015, Darren has continued his COTC work with deepened passion and skills. Today COTC has grown to over 10,000 people and several locations across Nashville. In addition to raising three daughters, Darren and Brandy engage and advocate with the foster care system in Nashville and have received recognition for their work, with COTC establishing partnerships with the governor of Tennessee and the Department of Children Services. Another project COTC is currently invested in is the Village—a facility for addressing mental health, suicide prevention, resources for single moments, support for foster families, and programs serving children aging out of the foster care system.
In addition to his work with COTC, Whitehead has also launched the non-profit Hold Fast with Jon Tyson. This organization holds annual retreats for pastors and spouses in an attempt to ensure they finish well. Whitehead has also written three books: Rumors of God with Tyson, Holy Roar with Chris Tomlin, and The Digital Fast, which was nominated for the KLOVE Fan Awards’ “Book Impact of the Year” award.
Darren wholeheartedly believes in the local church as the God-appointed movement for redemption in the world. This is what propels him each day.
DARREN WHITEHEAD Wesley Seminary Distinguished Alumni
LAINIE HOLLAND ADAMS '20 IWU-Marion Young Alumni
Lainie Holland Adams is the Distinguished Marion Young Alumni Award recipient for her philanthropic work. Adams graduated in 2020 with a major in Biblical and Theological Studies, a major in Spanish, and a minor in Church Music. Adams has also achieved a Master’s in Nonprofit Business and serves at Cultivate Food Rescue as the Director of Planning and Programs. Her parents, Troy and Lori Holland, have always pushed her to do her best, challenging her to grow and instilling a foundation of faith that inspires what she does and why. The loving support of her husband, Noah Adams, has also been invaluable, walking with her through life’s ups and downs. Adams was highly involved with the Grant County Rescue Mission during her time at IWU. At Grant County Rescue Mission, Adams was called to live her faith out in a tangible way, meeting the needs of her community through meaningful work.
Adams currently volunteers at Hope Ministries and is part of a small group at South Bend City Church. She is thankful for her journey, every stop she’s made along the way, and how curiosity and uncertainty allow her to continue growing in her faith, career, leadership, relationships, and personal development.
JESSICA LITTRELL '18 IWU-N&G Young Alumni
Dr. Jessica Littrell is the Distinguished National & Global Young Alumni Award recipient for her work in Occupational Therapy. Littrell graduated in 2018 with a doctorate in Occupational Therapy. Following her residency placement at Opportunities for Positive Growth Inc., Littrell developed a service within the organization for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is passionate about supporting the disability population that otherwise would not receive occupational therapy services. Littrell also helps young children within the Indiana First Steps Program in home and community-based settings. She has hosted many associate and doctoral level Occupational Therapy students who shared her passion for both her discipline and community.
Littrell’s passion for supporting the disability population originated while in elementary school and grew throughout grade school and college. Littrell’s motivation is her daughter Eleanor, who always amazes her with her love and passion for exploring the world. Jessica hopes to always support Eleanor’s dreams and celebrate the joy she brings to those around her. Littrell is grateful for her parents, Evette and Erron, and her husband, John, for always supporting and believing in her. Littrell says, “Remember to always guide and support the next generation to achieve their dreams.”
OLIVIA WRIGHT '00 IWU-Marion Distinguished Alumni
Olivia Wright is the Distinguished Marion Campus Alumni Award recipient for her work in education. Wright graduated in 2000 with a major in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education, Kindergarten. In 2011, Wright received her master’s degree from IWU, followed by an Administrator License in 2016. Wright’s IWU education prepared her for teaching, with the guidance her professors provided always pointing her to Jesus.
Growing up, Wright aspired to be the kind of teacher her first grade teacher had been to her. This teacher helped her to find ways to focus and learn so that she could make a difference for other students. When she graduated from IWU, Wright knew that she wanted to give back to the place that helped mold and shape her so that she could have the same impact on other kids in the community. In her current role as Director of Special Services at Marion Community Schools, Wright helps students with disabilities and their families be included, allowing them access to the same curriculum as their peers.
Wright’s reason for what she does is simply Jesus. “I am unworthy of His grace and mercy, and yet He gives it freely to me,” she says. Wright views each interaction she has as divine appointments and strives to look for how to show Christ to those around her. Olivia Wright is supported by her husband Derek, daughter Katelyn, son Payne, and son-in-law Isak.
GARY WALKER '76 IWU-Marion Alumni World Changer
In 1980, Colonel Gary M. Walker joined the Air Force, where he served in several roles before leaving active duty in 1999. He continued his service as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee in the USAF Reserve before returning to active duty in 2002, before being deployed twice to Afghanistan in medical command roles. Walker later became Director of Healthcare Operations for the Air Force Medical Support Agency, where he oversaw healthcare operations at seventy-five facilities and led a project to improve medical treatment facility inspection criteria. Later service included championing numerous improvements across the Air Force Medical Service, advocacy for wounded warriors, leading the suicide prevention program, and more. In 2016, Walker retired, concluding a three-decade career of dedicated service.
Kim Kargbo first became involved in mission work when she moved to a small West African village at the age of nine. Since then, reaching those without access to the Gospel has become her life’s work. Kim has lived in Sierra Leone for most of her life, serving in various leadership roles. Kim serves as the president and CEO of Accessible Hope International, which she founded in 2009. Through this organization, Kim reaches people with disabilities in Sierra Leone and around the world with the hope of Christ. Kim also leads retreats and spiritual formation experiences for ministers of the Gospel, helping them grow closer to Christ. Kim travels the world teaching, training, and consulting to equip the global Church to reach the unreached.
KIM KARGBO '88 IWU-Marion Alumni World Changer
