Portrait of a Graduate
What does a New Covenant graduate look like?
We have a distinct vision of the ideal graduate, and it consists of the following seven statements. Of course, no student embodies all of these qualities – it’s an ideal. It’s a goal to which we aspire. Every faculty member, however, from the earliest grades to the senior high school, conscientiously engages in age-appropriate ways to this end.
A New Covenant Graduate is…
- a lover of truth, goodness and beauty;
- is eloquent with the written and spoken word;
- is intellectually vigorous, seeking to know God, self, and the world;
- is prudent in speech and action;
- is generous and rich in good works;
- is spiritually strong, looking to God in faith, hope and love;
encounters success with humility and failure with confidence.
Play these short videos to learn more
Lover of Truth, Goodness & Beauty
Eloquent in Written & Spoken Word
Intellectually Vigorous
Prudent in Speech & Action
Success with Humility
Taylor Thornburg Overos
Class of 2010 | Covenant College, 2014
Major: History
Current Employer: The Atlantis Project, Arlington, VA
New Covenant fostered an intentional, virtuous, academic community for most of my life that taught me how to think critically and adore the process of learning.
Mark Sette
Class of 2006 | Liberty University, 2010
Major: Business
Current Employer: Portfolio Manager at Wealthsimple, NY, NY (FinTech Startup)
New Covenant built my critical thinking skills on a foundation of logic complemented through language, history, math and science. Working in finance and tech requires a combination of technical skills, quick decision making, and client engagement. New Covenant prepared me.
Claudia Darden
Class of 2015 | James Madison University, 2019| George Washington University, 2021
B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders
M.A. in Speech and Language Pathology
At New Covenant, my teachers encouraged me to share ideas and held my thoughts with respect. Being treated as a peer in conversation with adults who I looked up to has shaped a confidence in my own thinking. This has had a positive impact on every aspect of my life after graduating.
Matthew Shaughnessy
Class of 2010 | Virginia Tech, 2014
Major: Communications
Current Employer: Eddy Alexander, Roanoke, VA
When I reflect on my time at New Covenant I am always drawn to the memories I have of my teachers. They were gracious, kind, and caring people who taught lessons for godly living.
Hattie Eshleman
Class of 2013 | James Madison University, 2017
Major: Studio Art
Occupation: Artist and Metalsmith
As an artist, I seek to express truth through beauty. New Covenant instilled in me a hunger for this, which is strongly at play in the research behind all of my work. New Covenant gave me a love for learning and a desire to look past facts and to delve into the deeper truths behind them.
Drew Neiderer
Class of 2011 | Virginia Tech, 2015
Major: Applied Economics & Management
Current Employer: Montvue Capital, Lynchburg, VA
New Covenant established the worldview that continues to shape my faith, knowledge base, and ideals today.
Wesley Price
Class of 2014 | Christopher Newport University, 2018
Major: Communication Studies
Current Employer: PublicRelay
Wesley began working full time at Runk & Pratt as a Copywriter & Content Creator.
In October, 2019, after five years of dating, he married his wife, Rachel. They now live in Washington, DC where he works as a Media Analyst Account Manager for PublicRelay, a data analytics firm working with nationally
recognized businesses and brands from around the world.
Galen Creekmore
Class of 2014 | Christopher Newport University, 2018
Dbl Major: Political Science | American Studies
Current Employer: Central Virginia Electric Cooperative – Key Account Manager
New Covenant prepared me to be a good citizen and leader. It filled me with a desire to pursue excellence in all things and a moral compass to direct and define my life. New Covenant allowed me to begin establishing a life of gravity, consequence and purpose; and above all, to lead a life of significance.
