GIVE DAY | FEATURE | Noah Mink (XC)

Noah Mink is a two-sport student-athlete for ETBU in men's cross country and track & field. He is an two-time All-ASC runner in cross country competing at the NCAA Regional Meet for three years. He is also a three-time ASC All-Academic team member.

When Noah Mink was searching for a university to continue his running career and education, he knew he wanted to attend a Christian school in Texas.

When he set foot on the ETBU campus, he decided that this was where he was going.

"The Hill just has a certain rest about it. At other schools, I felt out of place and like someone was trying to sell me something, whereas at ETBU, I felt at home from the moment I stepped on campus," Mink said. "The beautiful campus, friendly and authentic people, and ultimately God's presence going before me made it an easy choice."

Mink, an ETBU Track & Field and Cross-Country team member, has had numerous memorable experiences on the Hill, from his travels with his teammates to the West Coast to learning about his faith in the classroom.

"Where to begin? Many of my favorite memories at ETBU were with my teammates. Some of my favorite trips to run in Spokane, WA, Riverside, CA, and Portland, OR, were full of good food, fun exploring the city, and racing against the best of the best," Mink said. "The thing about being part of a team is that even the average early morning workout or afternoon long run was fun together."

Mink added, "On our trip to Portland for the NCAA Cross Country regionals, we explored Portland, visited the University of Oregon, saw some legendary running landmarks like Hayward Field, and even met an Olympic gold medalist."

Mink cherishes all of the memories he has made at ETBU, and he knows none of them would have been possible without the generosity of the donors who contribute to ETBU on Give Day.

Give Day will take place on Thursday, April 10, and will be an opportunity for alums, family, friends, and ETBU supporters to give back to the university.

"You aren't just giving to an institution, but a mission that changes real lives. On the other side of every dollar is a story of someone coming to spend the most formational time in their life under the mission and vision of ETBU," Mink said.

Mink, who will graduate in December, said his time at ETBU forever changed his life.

"ETBU has provided such a unique platform for God to speak into my life through professors, friends, and mentors. Though it has been a process, God has formed in me spiritual disciplines, and I've come to deeply appreciate the value of reading the Bible, constant prayer, and especially Christian community," Mink said. "Being around people who love Jesus has enabled me to grow in my faith and live out the Great Commission on campus and now, after graduation, be sent out into the world as my mission field."

Mink has also enjoyed his time as an ETBU student-athlete and appreciates the facilities and the way Tiger Athletics takes care of its athletes. 

"The team gear! Half of my wardrobe is ETBU Cross Country / Track and Field gear that serves a functional purpose for practices/meets but also lets me rep ETBU wherever I go," Mink said. "I value the facilities like the Library for studying and the recreational areas (i.e., pickleball, sand volleyball) for hanging out and making memories with my friends."

Mink said the facilities and how ETBU treats its student-athletes set the university apart from other schools. 

"While we don't have a track on campus (which is common for DIII), the way ETBU takes care of their athletes sets it apart from other institutions. We are able to take trips, get training, rep gear, and travel in ways other schools just can't. The priority ETBU gives athletes has made my college experience great," Mink said.

One of the most important things Mink learned while at ETBU was how to become a servant leader, and he credits the university with teaching him this important skill.

"ETBU has given me so many opportunities to develop and live out my calling as a servant-leader. Through sports, student organizations, and even just campus life, God has helped me understand His heart for people and a burden to share what He has done for them, and ETBU has been the place for me to do that," Mink said.

Mink will forever cherish his time on the Hill, and he encourages anyone who is considering ETBU as their next home to tour the campus and see everything it has to offer.

"It's important to hear His voice, but also very important to come see for yourself! Meeting a counselor, seeing the people, and experiencing the campus can change everything," Mink said.