If you’ve spent any time around Anderson University, you know we’re all about community. The kind where people actually know your name and mean it when they ask how you’re doing. Elijah Clarke, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a Business minor, is one of those people who makes AU feel like home. Elijah grew up just down the road in Greenwood, South Carolina. When the time to go to college came around, he toured a variety of schools. But something about Anderson stood out among the rest. “I knew I wanted a school that was Christian, but I didn’t want it to just be a label,” Elijah said. “When I visited AU, it felt real. It wasn’t just something they put on the website, it was in the people. That mattered to me.”  

At first, Elijah thought he had it all figured out. He came in as a business major ready to conquer the world of spreadsheets and management classes. But as he started working through his courses, something wasn’t clicking. “I realized that I got sad when I finished math classes,” he laughed. “And I thought, ‘Maybe this is a clue.’ I wanted something more hands-on, more problem-solving, something that actually fit how God created me.” So, he switched his major to mechanical engineering.  

It was a little scary at first. The program was still new and jumping into a major full of tough classes and big projects wasn’t the easiest road. But looking back now? It was worth it. “It’s been so cool to watch the program grow,” Elijah said. “Plus, getting to work on real projects, not just textbook stuff, has been awesome.” One of his favorite memories is his senior design project with Dodge Industrial, where he and his team helped design a quality control system for these huge industrial fans. “It wasn’t just a school project,” Elijah said. “It was something they’re actually going to use. That felt really good.”  

Of course, part of what makes AU’s engineering program special isn’t just the projects, but the people. Elijah can’t say enough about the professors who have walked alongside him, both in academics and in life. “They care about you as a student, but even more as a person,” he said. “I’ve had professors pray for me, ask about life outside of class, and genuinely invest in me. That’s not something you get everywhere.” 

“We have some insane equipment,” Elijah said. “We’ve got a machine shop with a sandblaster, a water laser cutter (we like to call it the ‘wazer’), and even a soundproof room we’re building. Future students have no idea how spoiled they’re about to be.”  

Elijah’s story at Anderson isn’t just about late nights in the lab or solving math problems. It’s also about finding a community that pointed him back to Jesus again and again. He got involved in RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) early on and says it’s one of the best decisions he made. “I found real friends there, friends who called me to live out my faith, not just talk about it,” he said. “It’s easy to find people to hang out with. It’s harder to find people who will challenge you, encourage you, and really walk with you. RUF gave me that.” He also plugged into Christ Reformed Church in downtown Anderson.  “They feed us almost every week after church,” Elijah laughed. “Which is a pretty strong selling point for any college student. But more than that, they invest in us. They’re about real discipleship, not just Sunday mornings.”  

Through it all, Elijah has seen God grow him in ways he didn’t expect. “Freshman year, I struggled a lot with insecurity and anxiety. I worried about what people thought, about being ‘good enough’ in every area. But slowly, through friends, church, and just God’s grace, I realized I don’t have to measure up on my own. Jesus already did that for me.” Elijah pointed to Psalm 23 as a verse that’s stuck with him. “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” “It’s simple, but it’s everything,” he said. “I have everything I need in Him.”  

Looking ahead, Elijah’s excited to dive into engineering work after graduation and hopefully somewhere he can keep solving problems, working with people, and learning new things every day. When asked what advice he’d give to new students, he smiled and said: “Get involved. Find your people. And seriously, learn how to use all the cool machines we have before you graduate,” he said. “And remember that your worth doesn’t come from how well you perform here. It comes from the fact that you’re already fully loved by God.” 

Elijah’s story at AU is a reminder that college isn’t all about earning a degree. It’s about growing into the person God made you to be with a few water lasers, engineering marvels, and a lot of late-night Taco Bell runs along the way.  

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*Featured testimonials and student success stories reflect the experiences of individual students. These stories may not be indicative of the experience for all students. Employment outcomes and job titles are not guaranteed, and results may vary based on individual circumstances, job market conditions, and other factors.