“I was raised on stories of the sense of community, the outside-the-box thinking, and creative scholarship of the faculty and the students alike”
February 2023 – Drew Theological School Master of Divinity student Samuel Smith T’25 knows his role as a legacy student is much deeper than attending the same school as his father, Steven Smith T’97.
“For me, it means that I am a part of the continuing story of Drew, an institution that actively seeks to build a better world,” said Smith. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t influenced by my father in making my decision to come to Drew.”
Drew was embedded in Smith’s formative years. “I was raised on stories of the sense of community, the outside-the-box thinking, and creative scholarship of the faculty and the students alike,” he said. “Growing up, I was always tagging along to Tipple-Vosburgh lectures and class reunions, and meeting my dad’s old professors and classmates. I experienced Drew’s commitment to social justice and the feeling of community that transcends generational divides.”
Smith, whose maternal grandparents also attended the Theological School, plans to use his time at Drew to build upon his childhood experiences. “Being a legacy means that I get to be a part of this ongoing work, just as my father was before me.”
“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a part of this work of finding belonging and working for the collective good.”
