~ Scott Adamson: Director Digital Ministry
What happens to graduates of Power to Change after uni? Where do they end up? How do they reflect on their time at uni? Last year, I decided to find out. Today, we talk to Susie, whom you may have heard on Christian radio in almost all of our capital cities, and many regional centres too. – one half of “Luke and Susie”.
Susie, what did you study at uni, and when?
When was I at uni? Well, it feels like yesterday, but I graduated 25 years ago. I studied a lot of things, but eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with a double Major in Psychology. I went to uni with the intention to become an accountant, so originally studied Commerce/Arts.
And what was your involvement in Power to Change?
My friend, Andrew, invited me to what was Student Life back then, so from my very first year I attended the weekly meetings. In my later years, I served on the executive as secretary. I enjoyed attending camps and did both a local and international mission trip to India. It was a really significant part of my university experience.
What do you remember most about your time with Power to Change?
When I went to uni, I was fairly fresh to an actual relationship with Jesus. I’d been attending church and going to youth group for a long time and knew about God, but it was really just before uni that it all started to click for me. I remember being discipled, and learning to live in relationship with Jesus was the most significant thing that I learnt during that time.
I have a lot of fun memories: dressing up for Orientation Week to work the PTC stand; studying together during “Swotvac”, culminating in brekky at Pancake Manor on the last day; holding a Ball with groups from other universities (that was a blast!); camping at Mt Tamborine and playing Balderdash countless times. Mostly, I remember making friendships that are still some of my most important friendships today.
What have you been doing since uni? And what about right now?
Before I finished uni, I went to Sydney to visit friends I’d made on the India mission trip, and there spoke with Earl Roberts (National Director of PTC). That conversation led me to go back to India for a year, which led me to working with World Vision for five years after I returned. I married in 2003 and since then have mostly worked in media on radio, currently hosting a national radio show with my husband, Luke. We have three sons together – a 12 year old in grade 7 and twin 10 year olds in grade 5 – and live on the Gold Coast.
How has your time with Power to Change shaped you since uni?
PTC shaped my entire university experience, and that has gone on to shape who I am today. The discipleship I received in those years firmly established my faith in such a way that it still sustains me. The year in India after university only happened because of PTC, and that has paved the way to work in ministry and mission of varying degrees for my entire adult life. I’ll always be grateful to Andrew for inviting me to join Student Life way back then, and am thankful to PTC for all it’s meant to me in my life.
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