After graduating from high school at the young age of 16, Ezra Whitaker bravely decided to move eight hours away from her family and friends. While her family had all attended the same university near their hometown of Memphis, Ezra knew immediately she was headed east when she saw the mountains of North Carolina.
Coming into her freshman year at Montreat College, Ezra intended to be a theater major, but the director of the program retired before her first semester. The absence did not phase Dr. Roth, Dr. Angle, and Dr. Martin as they banded together to offer Ezra classes that would satisfy a theater major. After her freshman year, however, Ezra felt that theater was no longer her true calling. A friend of Ezra’s was an English major and attempted to convince Ezra to join her in the literature department. Although she was initially unsure, conversations with Dr. King and time spent in prayer, led Ezra to change her view and her major to English.
Throughout her journey, Montreat’s faculty and staff continued to touch her journey and shape her experience. When asked about those who had the greatest influence on her, Ezra listed Rev. Toone, Dr. King, Dr. Rhone, Dr. Foran, both Dr. Roths, Professor Brandenburg, Dr. Sosler, Dr. Shuman, and Professor Buchwald as influential people in her life.
Ezra’s relationship with Rev. Toone was especially impactful and continues to impact her daily. In her time at Montreat, Ezra and Rev. Toone walked through a compilation of prayers called Momento Mori that Ezra prays daily and memorizes for different seasons of her life. Rev. Toone also introduced her to the Examen prayer and a liturgy-focused devotional, which challenged her to worship God in a new light.
Another influential relationship for Ezra was with Dr. Rhone. During Ezra’s senior year, Dr. Rhone asked Ezra to facilitate a class discussion in her children’s literature course in his absence. Surprised, she asked him why he had selected her. Dr. Rhone responded that he believed she would be a wonderful teacher.
Ezra had never considered teaching before, but later that year, when a teaching opportunity arose, she remembered Dr. Rhone’s words and accepted the position. She is now in her first year teaching fifth grade at Canterbury Classical School in Asheville. Every day Ezra attempts to mirror Dr. Rhone’s strict, but gentle spirit, focusing on her students’ academic and personal growth.
Ezra thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to earn a liberal arts education at Montreat College. As an English major with a psychology minor, she feels privileged to have learned from different perspectives. Ezra firmly believes that her liberal arts education equipped her with the tools to approach challenges from different angles, enabling her to solve problems with creativity and insight.
“The different perspectives sharpen your understanding of different situations,” she said. “Conflict is inevitable in life, especially in the workplace, but being able to work through it better prepares you.”
When she wasn’t reading classics or writing essays, Ezra served as a resident assistant. Her motivation to step into a leadership role was to create a community that welcomed and accepted Christian women who didn’t fit the traditional mold. Having grown up feeling that she fell short of those expectations herself, Ezra desired to change that narrative for others, hoping to widen the traditional view of Christian femininity to welcome all followers of Christ.
“I wanted to show that you could listen to Metallica, live alongside someone who loves Tom Petty, and both worship Jesus together,” she explained.
Ezra’s time as an RA also stretched her personal confidence as a leader. Entering her first year in the role, Naomi Hailu, her former assistant resident director, encouraged Ezra to simply be herself. Naomi reminded her that she didn’t need to emulate her peers. Instead, God was calling her to lead as herself. This advice resonated deeply with Ezra, and she made it a point to share it with each of her residents, knowing the impact it had on her own life.
In addition to life-changing relationships, Montreat gifted Ezra with many skills and experiences that continue to shape her life. Ezra met her longtime boyfriend, Zeke, at Montreat, and she firmly believes they would not have met in any other sphere. During her time at Montreat, Ezra also encountered many new Christian perspectives and had the opportunity to explore new avenues of worship.
Looking ahead, Ezra plans to continue her teaching career and dreams of pursuing her master’s degree in applied linguistics and possibly a doctorate. Reflecting on her own journey and desire to be a lifelong learner, Ezra encouraged current and future students to step outside their comfort zones and broaden their horizons.
“At a small school, it can be easy to find your click and stick with it,” she said. “Look to get to know different groups of people. How cool would it be to have a class where you knew multiple people in it? Montreat offers diverse experiences, and students should stretch themselves to encounter all that being a Cavalier has to offer.”