Divine Happenstance

During move-in weekend this fall, students were invited to write a thank-you note that would be sent to Forester Fund donors throughout the year. Junior Silas Hildebrand wrote one of these letters, and it ended up in the hands of Professor Emeritus of Speech Carl Zurcher. It just so happens that as a nursing student, Silas served breakfast at Heritage Pointe, where Carl is living, earlier this semester. Carl remembered Silas from that morning, so when he received a note from “Silas” in the mail, he wondered if it might be the same person. I received a card from Dr. Zurcher a couple of weeks ago, written to Silas, in hopes that they might be able to connect again. In his note Dr. Zurcher wrote, “Is it possible you are the same Silas to whom I was introduced from HU who was assisting the staff in serving breakfast to residents in the Rehabilitation Unit of the Heritage Pointe of Huntington where I was a temporary resident? I was proud of that Silas for his compassionate service.” After learning that we only have one Silas at Huntington University, I realized what a divine happenstance this was. I passed the note onto Silas, and in a sheer matter of days he paid Dr. Zurcher a visit.

I am proud to know such wonderful faculty and compassionate students at HU. I hope that you are encouraged and touched by this story as much as I was!

(Pictured: Carlee Howell, Dr. Carl Zurcher, and Silas Hildebrand)

Posted By: Danielle Shafer, Director of Alumni Relations & Engagement