Hayden Phillips
Chemistry Major, Lexington, Tenn.
When senior chemistry major Hayden Phillips decided to come to Union, his decision was heavily influenced by college students he looked up to in high school who were students at Union. After being recruited to play on the men’s soccer team, the Lord solidified his desire to attend Union.
“The Lord just worked everything out in the right direction,” Phillips said.
While Phillips originally came to Union with a different major, he was encouraged by his peers to accept the challenge of pursuing a chemistry degree. Since transitioning to the chemistry department his freshman year, Phillips has won the Freshman Chemistry Scholarship and is an active member of the Student Members of the American Chemical Society.
In addition to excelling in his major, Phillips has been inspired to take on more leadership roles through his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, as well as through his role as a student ambassador in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
These opportunities have allowed him to not only grow in leadership but think about his future from a Christian perspective. Instead of choosing a career because it’s fun or because he may make a lot of money, Phillips is instead thinking about what role his work will play in the bigger picture of God’s kingdom.
“That’s definitely been the biggest thing since I’ve gotten here that would be so hard to match anywhere else,” he said.
Phillips’ education has allowed him to not only grow as an individual but also think deeply about how faith plays into academics.
“Union is so intentional about not shying away from integrating faith and learning, specifically with sciences,” Phillips said.
While the chemistry department has encouraged his academic growth, Phillips has also been encouraged spiritually as he sees his science professors boldly living out their careers and faith in the classroom. He shared how professors frequently begin class with prayer, reminding themselves of the creator as they prepare to study his creation, a blessing Phillips does not take lightly.
“Being able to do that in a genetics class…it makes no sense,” Phillips said. “But it makes all the sense in the world because it’s Union.”
By Avery Chenault (’24)