KAREN WU MIRABELLA ('96) AND HER HUSBAND, TOM MIRABELLA ('96), BOTH HELD STUDENT LEADERSHIP ROLES IN JMU'S INTERVARSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP. "The Christian community at JMU was definitely a good place for us to learn the basics of what it looks like to do ministry," says Karen. When she and Tom decided to pursue graduate ministry studies halfway across the United States, they were pleasantly surprised to find continued fellowship with JMU alumni.

The Mirabellas moved to St. Louis, Mo., to attend Covenant Theological Seminary, a
graduate school affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. "We decided to come to Covenant for a few reasons," says Susan. Mostly, "we wanted to pursue full-time ministry." The original plan was for Tom to pursue a M.Div. and Karen a counseling degree. After three years of marriage and the birth of two children, Karen decided to take classes for audit and postpone her degree. "We specifically chose Covenant because they have on-campus housing and a good mix of solid theological training and a desire to train people's hearts for ministry."

The Mirabellas soon found another advantage at Covenant. Its family atmosphere and friendly faculty attracted 12 more Dukes to enroll. "Covenant has a great master's program that will equip me to become a pastor, and the entire focus of the faculty is to pastor and care for the students in the program," says JMU grad Timothy Frost ('02). Nathan George ('97) adds, "The population of JMU alumni was one of my motivations for choosing Covenant. It was a strong incentive to go together."

Susan Stewart ('97) moved to Covenant with her husband, Briton Stewart ('97), so he could obtain his degree as an associate pastor. "The JMU grads have been a wonderful support network for us as we have transitioned into life in the Midwest and the busy schedule of graduate school," says Susan.

Even Jenna Morgan, who is finishing up her degree long-distance at Covenant, traveled to Missouri to visit with the JMU alumni.

Tom Mirabella says, "It's really remarkable that, in a school of 1,000 students, we have 14 or 15 JMU grads. Covenant is a great place. The faculty is concerned, not just about academic excellence, but about helping us grow in all areas of our lives. That's a similar spirit to JMU."

-- Lisa Freedman ('05)