Reese Wrather arrived at Samford University with a clear sense of what she was looking for: a place where she could pursue both her calling to teach and her passion for dance. What she found was something more.
“When we drove onto campus, I immediately felt an immense amount of peace come over me,” Wrather said. “I was like, ‘This feels right.’”
That moment helped confirm what had already begun to take shape during her college search. While exploring programs, Wrather kept a detailed binder of schools that offered strong opportunities in both education and dance. Samford stood out.
She noted not only the strength of its programs, but also the four certifications students in Orlean Beeson School of Education’s Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary and Collaborative Education (ESEC) program receive upon graduation.
As she narrowed her decision, Wrather leaned into her faith.
“When I was trying to weigh my two options, I turned to the Lord to ask Him what needs to be the most important in my decision-making,” she said.
Finances were another important factor. Wrather recalls praying that if Samford was where she was meant to be, the path would be made clear.
“I was in tears when I received my scholarships because it was more than I was originally told,” she said. “I gave all credit to the Lord because there was no other way that this could be happening.”
From the beginning, Wrather was determined to pursue both education and dance. Although she was initially told that adding a dance minor might extend her time in college, she took the initiative to map out a plan herself.
“I went home that night and wrote out the next four years of college and made it work,” she said.
That intentional approach has defined her time at Samford. Wrather has kept a “next steps” journal, documenting major decisions and moments along the way. What began as a practical tool became something more meaningful.
“It’s a physical way for me to sit down and see how the Lord has provided and put me in the perfect places,” she said.
At Samford, Wrather found the balance she had hoped for. As a member of the Samford dance company and an ESEC student , she has been able to fully invest in both areas. She credits her professors for their support and flexibility, as well as the community she found through dance.
“I’m grateful because I’ve been able to continue doing something I’m very passionate about while learning to be a teacher,” she said.
After graduation, Wrather will return to Tennessee to teach in the classroom while also teaching dance, carrying both passions into the next chapter. As she looks back through her journal, she sees a consistent thread woven throughout her journey. Those pages now tell a story of clarity, provision and purpose, one she continues to write as she steps into her classroom and studio this next year.
