ARCHITECTURE, Class of 2023
Praise-Jesus Nkalang鈥檃ngo (PJ), a sophomore originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has a journey of arriving at Judson that is truly a story of divine guidance. During his senior year of high school, PJ applied to many colleges in the States but found his list getting smaller and smaller as various obstacles prevented him from attending the schools. PJ remembers feeling exhausted and wondering if college or a degree was even in his future.
However, even during this stressful time, PJ says that he, 鈥渃ompletely surrendered the fight to God and accepted whatever will He had for me. That鈥檚 when I heard about Judson.鈥� Just a few weeks short of his high school graduation, PJ decided to take a chance and apply to Judson. PJ was thrilled to find out within a month that he had been accepted and offered the most prestigious scholarship at the university.
PJ was also drawn to Judson because of the architecture program, which has received national acclaim. PJ is fascinated by the versatility of architecture, in both the abstract artistic side of the field and the opportunity architects have to create a symbol for people in buildings.
鈥淚 see architecture as a way to create a legacy that will live on after I have passed on from this life,鈥� PJ says.
While on campus, PJ also has been involved in student leadership. This year PJ served as a Gen Mentor for freshmen students.
鈥淚 got to meet new people and create new friendships and I significantly grew in my leadership skills,鈥� PJ says. His time in student leadership shaped him so positively that he looks forward to serving as a Resident Assistant in Wilson Hall next year.
The college experience for PJ has been profoundly shaped by the entire Judson community. He says, 鈥淭he love, kindness, and generosity of the community here is out of this world. The Judson experience and treatment that I have gotten here has been really great and I honestly believe that you don鈥檛 get the same experience at any other college or at a big public university.鈥�
PJ is well-acquainted with the support of the Judson family as he faced the unimaginable challenge of grieving the sudden loss of his mother just before his second semester of college. He says, 鈥淢y professors were so kind, thoughtful, and considerate of what I was going through and still go through 鈥� I truly feel like I am part of the Judson family.”
Following graduation, PJ hopes to travel the world and serve the Lord through architecture. No matter what, he is determined to follow the Lord鈥檚 leading and is confident that his Judson experience has equipped him well to shape the world.