I remember that Friday. My twin sister, Kristyn, and I were excited but a little bit nervous. We both had auditions for Alabama School of the Arts scholarships to the University of Mobile – our dream school – and we desperately wanted everything to work out. I remember taking turns praying in the car with my sister and mom. When it was my turn to pray, I completely surrendered to the Lord and said, “Lord, you know how badly we want this, but if this is not from you, you must take it. Even if it crushes us, your way is better. If this is from you, give us a sign. Direct our path.”
Let me tell you, God was there! We stopped at a gas station to get coffee, and a man walked up and said, “It’s good to see young people drinking coffee.” My mom replied, “Well, they need it today, they have an audition at the University of Mobile.” The man said, “Oh wow, that’s a great school, one of my kids went there and was involved in RamCorps. Can I pray for y’all?” And he did – the man stood there and held our hands and prayed over us.
I knew that was our sign from the Lord. I knew then that the Lord had paved the way my whole life to bring me to this university.
God Has a Plan for Us
After this, we walked into our auditions with confidence, knowing that God had a plan for us. I wanted to be a Production Technologies major, which meant I had to interview with someone for my scholarship. I met with Jeremy Harford, director of the production technology program. I’ll be honest – I did not know why God had called me to this program, and somedays I still do not understand the calling God has placed on my life. I just knew that a lot of the things that they teach in this Production Technologies major were things I needed and thought I would be good at it.
I told Jeremy that, and he saw something in me that day. I remember at the end of the interview Jeremy saying, “I think you would be good at it, too!” and that was it – after that I was a student in the Bachelor of Science in Production Technologies program in the Alabama School of the Arts at the University of Mobile! My sister also received an ASOTA scholarship and is a Music Education major.
A Dream Come True
As I look around this university – the halls of Martin and the Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts, and as I walk by and touch the Great Commission Globe in the center of campus – I am constantly reminded of the promises of God, of how He has been faithful time and time again. He instilled this dream in the hearts of both me and my sister, calling us to this place, the University of Mobile.
Being here really is a dream come true. I love being a part of this school and being a Ram. Just as we prayed, God has directed our paths, and I am so grateful!
Learn More About the University of Mobile
Learn more about the University of Mobile at umobile.edu/um-info. Plan a campus visit or register for a UM Day at umobile.edu/um-info or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
Katelyn Maten is a sophomore majoring in Production Technologies at the University of Mobile. She is currently a photographer interning with the university’s Good Work Agency and a technician for UM’s ensemble Worship Collective. Katelyn enjoys going to Alabama School of the Arts events with her twin sister, Kristyn, who is majoring in Music Education at UM.