On April 26, 2018, Denise Reid, associate professor from the Biola School of Education, received the Spirit Of Volunteerism award from OneOC.

From the start of her college career, Reid understood the importance of volunteering. During her freshman year of college, her desire to volunteer led her to join Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and from there her desire to volunteer never stopped. Since she has served in a clothing ministry for the homeless for eight years, led missions trips to the Navajo nation, led a trip to San Francisco to help address the needs of the homeless and served the needs of any student who walks through her office door at Biola.  

Reid explains her motivation to engage in volunteerism.

“Regardless of what you go through you can always give back...volunteering is a tithe of time to God,” said Reid. “He will help restore time if you give freely.”

June Hetzel, Dean of the School of Education, describes Reid’s dedicated attitude of service.

“Dr. Denise Reid, since coming on full-time at Biola University, has also been involved in many volunteer activities on campus, including mentoring; working with affinity groups (e.g., Chocolate Chat); serving as Chair of the SOE Justice, Spirituality, and Education Committee; and serving on the Faculty of Color Advisory Board,” said Hetzel.

Even in the busyness of life, Reid has made it a priority to serve others because of how God has blessed her.  

“It is by the grace of God that person in need isn’t me,” said Reid.

Whether it is serving a local ministry, going on a missions trip locally or globally or finding a way to use her talents to serve a non-profit, Reid enjoys serving others.

The Spirit of Volunteerism award originated in 1976 and is the largest and longest running volunteer recognition event in Orange County. The event is hosted by OneOC, which was founded in 1958 as the Volunteer Center of Orange County. For 42 years, OneOC has given this award to hundreds of people just like Reid who serve their community every day.

Written by Joshua Marsh, public relations intern. For more information, contact Media Relations at (562) 777-4061 or media.relations@biola.edu.