After nearly a decade-long association with Waynesburg University and spending almost his entire life in Greene County, Residence Director Anthony Jarrell is moving away following the 2018 Spring semester.

Jarrell will be moving to Lakeland, Florida this summer, after his RD contract resets June 1.

A combination of factors contributed to Jarrell’s decision to move, such as his fiancée, Lauren Fox, working on an internship. One of his close friends from high school also lives in Lakeland. Jarrell will be pursuing his second Master of Business Administration degree at Southeastern University, as well as running his own online business.

He started to talk about the move late last year with a few confidants: his fiancée, Pastor Justin Meyers of Foundry Church in Morgantown, West Virginia and Southeastern Graduate Professor Robert Crosby. After the discussions, Jarrell determined the time was right to move on.

“I really started to discern and have some conversations about what is the best move for me at this point,”
said Jarrell.

When Jarrell graduated from Waynesburg Central High School, he didn’t plan on staying local to further his education. After his mother encouraged him to be open to staying in Waynesburg, however, Jarrell looked into the university. Although he lived in Greene County all his life, he discovered that the university wasn’t the same as the rest of Waynesburg.

“It has a completely different feel here on campus than it does being in the rest of the town,” Jarrell said. “And I never knew that even growing up around here. I just thought it was just some lame school.”

After receiving his undergraduate degree in psychology in 2013, Jarrell didn’t plan on returning to Waynesburg University right away. But after spending a year in Morgantown, West Virginia, working in mental health, Jarrell came back to the school to accept the RD position. In addition to working as an RD, Jarrell earned his first Master’s degree last year.

When this school year started, Jarrell knew that his time in Waynesburg was coming to an end.

“I think the normal shelf life for RD’s, especially here, is about three to five years,” Jarrell said. “Whenever I feel that I’ve done all that I can do, that’s when I’ll go.”

Jarrell is heavily involved in ministry at Waynesburg. In his time at the school, he has led Bible studies in addition to his role with organizations, such as Upper Room and Tuesday chapel, and wrote a book called “Exile: A Story of Finding Hope,” which was published this past August. Three years ago, Jarrell helped launch Foundry Church. He said the rapid growth of the church was a contributing factor to one of the main reasons for his departure: he feels he has done all he can do in Waynesburg.

“As a leader, I think it’s the best feeling, that you’ve helped develop people and can move on to what the next challenge is,” Jarrell said. “I feel like in the nine years I’ve been here I have invested all in who Anthony Jarrell is today, and he’s exhausted all of his ideas.”

Of all the aspects of Waynesburg University, there is one that Jarrell will miss most of all.

“The people,” Jarrell said. “Oh my gosh. The people who invested in me for nine years, I’ll absolutely miss them.”

While Jarrell looks to land a full-time job and pursue some higher education opportunities, the most important thing to him is that he finds a ministry platform.

“Finding a job and getting to know co-workers,” said Jarrell. “That will be a priority, [but] not as much as I think finding a good church community, people who are going to be able to speak a similar language and understand some of the things personally that I’m going through.”

Jarrell feels that Waynesburg University shaped him, and is thankful for the university giving him the opportunity to pursue his faith.

“I want to thank the university, incredible coworkers and students for just teaching me so much about Christ and community, and really just kind of opening my eyes to really all that is possible and more in life,” Jarrell said. “This university really allowed me the freedom to go after Jesus and just allowed him to transform my life, and that’s been because of the people in the community.”