President’s Scholarship Jump-starts Jacob Kim’s TMU Journey

By Kaelyn Peay

Jacob Kim, now a senior biology major, was just the kind of prospective student The Master’s University loves to find.

He was maturing in his faith, diligent in his work, and he had a high appreciation for Christian education. The only thing holding Kim back from attending TMU was the question of whether or not he’d be able to afford it. But that’s where the President’s Scholarship came in. The $64,000 academic scholarship, given out across four years, has allowed Kim to come to TMU to study and pursue his goal of glorifying God and serving others through dentistry.

Growing up in Spokane, Washington, Kim was blessed with “an awesome church” and 13 yearsin a classical Christian school. His dad worked as a physical therapist, and his mom taught middle school English at the school Kim attended. Both spiritually and academically, he describes his upbringing as blessed.

When it came time to think about college, Kim knew he wanted to attend a Christian school that would prepare him well for his plans afterward: graduate school and a career in healthcare. And one of the schools he looked into was TMU. In fact, it was a top contender. Kim’s only question was cost. 

So, what changed?

After applying for the President’s Scholarship, Kim was called in for an interview with TMU’s admissions team.

“My most distinct memory from the interview is that someone asked me, ‘What are you reading in Scripture right now, and what are you learning from it?’ I was not expecting that question at all. It was really cool, and I got to explain what I was learning at the time,” Kim says.

In April, Kim got the news that he had won the scholarship.

Now a senior at TMU, Kim is grateful to have the opportunity to study biology (with an emphasis in pre-dentistry) at a place where the other students take spiritual growth seriously.

“The best part of TMU has been the community,” Kim says. “I am constantly encouraged by how they seek to grow and bring everything under obedience to Christ. They have been a living testimony to me of the power of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.”

He is also grateful for the small size of his biology classes and for the earnest help of his professors, which have been invaluable as he studies the intricacies of his major.

“In my biochemistry class, there are 12 to 15 students,” he says. “It’s really enjoyable to have a small enough class size where I can ask questions and feel like I’m not bothering my professor or my classmates. There’s that openness, which I think is really helpful in the learning process, where I’m able to ask questions when I don’t understand something.”

He says that Dr. Ross Anderson, a professor of biochemistry, has been especially helpful, graciously guiding him through how to manage his workload and wrap his head around the trickier concepts in his courses. This knowledge will be invaluable as he goes on to dental school, in hopes of becoming a general practice dentist.

“I want to go into a field where I’m able to help people who can’t help themselves,” Kim says. 

In the meantime, Kim is savoring the lessons and opportunities associated with where the Lord has him right now.

“I don’t think I could adequately list all the ways I’ve grown since coming to TMU. God has taught me so much about myself, about Himself, about how I ought to live in a way that honors Him.”