Vetter Foundation: Evangel senior has a head for business and a heart for service

Bobbie McDaniel makes room in his life for the unexpected. When he came to Evangel in the fall of 2010, he was majoring in management. Then, in July 2012, he encountered Feet That Move, an organization that provides shoes to people in need by mobilizing young leaders.

“When I met the founder, Dustin Sandaval, he shared his vision for the organization, and it truly inspired me,” McDaniel said.
That inspiration led McDaniel to sign up for an internship with Feet That Move in the summer of 2013, a venture that included a week in El Salvador. “It was a life-changing trip,” said McDaniel. “As a senior, I have even changed from my management major to Evangel’s new nonprofit business and social enterprise major.”

Bernie Dana, chair of Evangel’s business department, remarked, “Bobbie has a desire to prepare his head for business and his heart for service.”

The new major, funded by a grant from the Vetter Foundation, was launched in the fall of 2012. According to Dana, “there are only a few universities in the nation that offer this kind of program as an undergraduate business major.”

McDaniel’s involvement with Feet That Move has continued; this fall, he became a team leader. “I have been able to help with branding, marketing and fundraising,” McDaniel said. “This year, I want to learn and absorb more information about the nonprofit world,” he said.

Feet That Move is planning a trip to Uganda in July 2014 and will distribute 8,000 pairs of shoes.

“We want to impact people who are in need, but the shoes are only a vehicle,” McDaniel said. “We also want to train young people to invest in others. Through Feet That Move, we take them across the world to experience different countries. These young leaders will be able to connect with people and show them the love of Christ.”

Story by Irene Kanthan, senior advertising and public relations major from Singapore. She works as an assistant in Evangel’s public relations department.