the spiritual climate on campus
and teaching experience , more than 300 published scientific articles , and the prestigious Agronomic Education Award from the American Society of Agronomy . Fick ’ s faith-based involvement at the university is far from finished . He is actively involved in many Cornell ministry events , and
considers its Christian community as “ one of the best anywhere .” He also pursues his gardening passions and invests in his church and grandchildren . As he looks back on his fruitful career , he recognizes that his work supporting food production is temporary , while eternal sowing and reaping is more important . “ Being a Christian is the best way to be ,” Fick asserts . “ Once you are there , there is nothing else .” Indeed , by centering his career and passions on God , Fick has produced a crop of agriculturally and environmentally conscious Christians . | cu
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C O R N E LL | On Campus
Spiritual Formation
SEOK ’ 17 SERVED CORNELL COMMUNITY WITH PASSION By Zachary Lee , Cornell ’ 20
Deborah Seok , a human development major who finished her undergraduate studies at Cornell in just three-and-a-half years , used her final semester leading up to graduation to serve at nearby Bethany Christian Campus Church . This was not her original plan , but after praying , Deborah “ decided to stay ( in Ithaca ) to strengthen my relationship with God before leaving for the real world .”
Her transition to the real world began in June when she moved to Washington , D . C . to work for Child Trends , a non-profit organization that looks at child development policy research .
Seok got involved with Bethany Church during her freshman year , but admitted that it took a while to adapt to the spiritual intensity of the first few meetings . During one Friday Night Fellowship , attendees entered into a time of communal prayer for
Deborah Seok ’ 17 is ready for “ the real world .”
40 minutes following a message . This came as a shock to her . Afterwards , the group split into Bible studies and everyone was given a two-page handout , complete with questions that students had to fill out . Seok jokingly asked , “ Is this a ( college ) class ?”
However , Seok later noted how the church ’ s reverence and respect for God ’ s Word humbled her and ultimately inspired her to lead small groups and a Bible study .
“ Our Friday Night Fellowship ’ s inductive Bible studies have been huge building blocks for my faith ,” she said . “ Being able to teach even for one semester has been the greatest part of my time here .” Her attitude changed from “ Why would I choose or want to follow God ?” to “ Who am I that God would use me ?” This realization came in her junior year . From that point on , she continued to look for ways in which she could serve God faithfully .
One of the other ways Seok served faithfully was by joining Campus on a Hill ( COAH ), Cornell ’ s inter-ministry organization , during her junior year . She was encouraged