TAYLOR UNIVERSITY Weekly Edition Want to take a creative class? Check out these hidden gems Page 6 Women’s soccer season hinges on at-large bid Page 8 You are the voice. We are the Echo. Since 1913 1 Volume 104, Issue 9 Friday/Thursday, November 4 - November 10, 2016 TheEchoNews.com Dear Cindy McWhirt Photographs provided by TSO (top left) and Ellie Herschberger Remembering Cindy McWhirt, from Airband to the DC. e were blessed to be stayed because of the friendship I de- Mitchener moved to the position of Kelly Helton (’15) we shared as I fumbled for my ID served by you. A life spent veloped with someone who, two years Grille Manager in the student union. Kelly Helton remembers her f rst or tripped up the stairs; you always in Grant County, from at- prior, was a complete stranger.” When Mitchener’s baker at The Grille Christmas at Taylor. She compli- made me smile. I know you’re shar- tendingW Wes-Del High School and Kief er saw McWhirt as a mother retired, Mitchener gave McWhirt mented the mouse pin McWhirt was ing that lovely, heart-warming smile Tucker Vocational School, to serving and a best friend. Kief er would vis- the opportunity to assume the role. wearing on her way to dinner. When with the one who loved you the most.” at Taylor since 1993, you invested in it McWhirt on her days of . As a col- Over the years, McWhirt worked as Helton left the DC, McWhirt caught your community until the end of your lege student, Kief er would work on a DC baker, the “care package lady” her eye and handed her the pin. Hel- Tanner Huber, Sophomore 52 years. One of three children, you papers at McWhirt’s desk. McWhirt in the Grille and Mitchener’s lead ca- ton thinks of McWhirt every time she Tanner Huber remembers McWhirt loved your family. You loved your hus- would ask Kief er to take a break and shier, concession stand coordinator wears it. stopping him one Saturday in the DC band, your two sons, your two grand- grab her a cof ee: one pump of hazel- and friend. to ask about his evening plans. He sons and your “Taylor kids.” Thank nut, one of vanilla and a truvia packet. “We didn’t go shopping together, we Adria Mccardy (’15) told McWhirt that he had a worship you for reminding us to FROG (Ful- Kief er recalls listening to every- didn’t go to the movies, we didn’t trav- “I don’t really remember the f rst event with his sister f oor. Huber re- ly Rely On God) and teaching us the thing from classic country to cur- el together . but when we were at time I met Cindy, but that’s because members McWhirt’s response: “Well, value of knowing the person behind rent pop hits with McWhirt. The duo work, we were connected and shared Cindy was the type of person that I was going to have you work tonight, the name. would often talk of life lessons or the a huge love for Taylor and her stu- once you met her, you felt like you’ve but no way! You have to get your Jesus little details occurring in their lives. dents, staf and guests,” Mitchener known her forever,” Adria Mccardy on, Tanner!” Family “When someone such as Miss Cindy said. “Every morning she would pop said. “We would have our frequent Gina Walker, First Cousin has had such a big impact on my life, in my of ce with a big smile and a discussions at the DC about our love Taylor Treece, Sophomore McWhirt and Walker came from it’s the little things that happen ev- ‘Hidyhoo and f ne day to you . how for accessories and fashion trends During J-term of her freshman a large family. Walker recalls family ery day that I will remember her by— is everyone today?’” and just kept each other updated year, Taylor Treece got a scratch on get-togethers at their grandparents’ even one of those small things like While Mitchener served as about what was new for us that week.” the black strip on her Taylor ID, so it home. writing in pen when I should be us- McWhirt’s boss, she considered her- One of the things that made no longer worked when she went to “Growing up, Cindy was always ing a pencil,” Kief er said. “I will miss self, f rst and foremost, McWhirt’s McWhirt memorable to Mccardy was the DC. laughing and smiling,” Walker said. our cruises and long talks but most of friend. To Mitchener, McWhirt was that she remembered the little things “Not only did Cindy remember me “I cannot ever remember a time when all will miss making her laugh.” the epitome of self essness. Her love they would mention in passing. by name, but she knew she had to al- she was not showing happiness . To for her husband, David, sons Tyler “Even with all the students she saw ways type in my ID code and would think of Cindy has always put a smile Matthew Riley, Director of Dining and Caleb, and grandsons Liam and every day, she could make you feel like make a game out of it,” Treece said. on my face.” Services, Taylor University Radley, was evident to Mitchener. you were the only student there,” Mc- “She would always see if she had it Matthew (Matt) Riley, director of “She would drop anything to get cardy said. “Though her occupation memorized, and by the end of the Colleagues dining services, remembers entering the opportunity to spend time with stated ‘cashier,’ Cindy was a counsel- year she not only knew who I was but Ron Brooks, Line Cashier his current position at Taylor in 2012. her family,” Mitchener said. “She al- or when needed, a dear friend when knew my Taylor ID by heart. Ron Brooks worked with McWhirt “I was the new guy, and people were ways considered the TU students wanted and a strong woman of faith for the last 8 years. Above everything unsure of me because they had not ‘her kids’—all 1,700 of them—and and sunshine whenever and wherev- Maria Belmont, Taylor parent else, McWhirt’s friendliness toward had a ‘new guy’ in a long time,” Ri- even tried to learn all of their names. er she went.” While visiting Taylor, Ma- students and guests to Taylor consis- ley said. “Cindy took it upon herself It is my hope that all the Taylor stu- ria Belmont and a group of par- tently stood out to Brooks. to f gure out my story.” Soon, Cindy dents past and present will never for- Kevin Schillinger (’14) ents spoke with McWhirt. The “Cindy wanted to know as many of told Riley, “I think you are going to get her name, the Cindy that made Kevin Schillinger knew McWhirt conversation, according to Belmont, them by name as possible,” Brooks be all right.” their Taylor experience a memora- from working in concessions for bas- was unforgettable. said. “Cindy always took time to talk McWhirt’s sons are near Riley’s age, ble one. I know that God must have ketball and football games. He re- “That time spent interacting with and get to know everyone! She usual- and she treated him like one of them. been in need of a new ‘swiper’ at those members her joy in every situation. her was one of the signif cant fac- ly always had a smile and good word McWhirt got to know Riley’s wife pearly gates, so I promise you, Cin, I According to Schillinger, no matter tors of me, as a mom, feeling a peace for everyone.” and oldest daughter, and, as his fam- will have my TU ID when I get there.” how long she worked or how her day about our son’s decision to attend ily grew, McWhirt ensured she had was, McWhirt made it a priority to in- Taylor,” Belmont said. Susan Malone, East Line Cashier pictures of his children so she could Alumni teract with every student she could. Susan Malone worked with show them of as if they were her own. Daniel Morrison (’16) XOXO, McWhirt for many years at The Grille “My kids loved Cindy so much and Daniel Morrison considered Cassie (Vaf or) Israel (’12) Taylor University until McWhirt became a DC cashier. were always very excited to see her McWhirt a consistent blessing in his As a student, Cassie Israel remem- (Your “kids”) In February 2016, Malone became a whenever they would come to eat a life throughout his time at Taylor. He bers McWhirt’s daily greetings in the DC cashier, joining McWhirt once meal with me,” Riley said. McWhirt appreciated her cheerful attitude and same way she remembers God’s con- again. and her husband, David, who also ef ort to get to know students. stancy. The hellos and goodbyes were “The past 10 months have been a works with Dining Services, would “I bet she knew almost everyone by reminders of God’s faithfulness. joy getting to rekindle our friendship,” often stop by the Riley home just name,” Morrison said. “She was a very “One spring, we got to talking Malone said. “Cindy was always try- to see Riley’s wife, Stacey, and their gracious card-swiper, letting me in at about strawberry and rhubarb pie,” ing to start a new fad! She wanted to children. times when I had forgotten my ID at Israel said.