Michael Bouterse

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Anticipated graduation year: 2014

Majors: History and Theology

Birthplace: Oakland, Calif.

Hometown: Gig Harbor, Wash.

Whitworth activities/clubs: Whitworth Orchestra, various prayer and missions groups

Research/special academic programs: History department faculty search committee; independent interview-based research project on the Chinese Christian movement, conducted while studying abroad in Beijing

Whitworth off-campus study programs: Honors Costa Rica Jan Term; Whitworth in China semester program

Favorite music artist/group: Gustav Mahler. Heard of him?

Favorite book: The Bible. Psalm 119:16.

Favorite movie: Das Leben der Anderen (The Lives of Others)

Favorite food: Náng chǎo ròu (馕炒肉), a Uyghur Muslim dish from Xinjiang, China

Favorite quote: Philippians 3:7-14

You'd be surprised to know that…I love to study foreign languages. My favorite is German, and after a semester in China, I've discovered that Mandarin is slightly addictive. I'm especially excited to begin diving into biblical Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic.

If I could try anything and not fail: A backpacking trip from the eastern seaboard of China to the Levant, via the Mediterranean to continental Europe, and from the mainland on up to England

If I could go on a road trip with anyone (from the past or present): Whitworth friends from "Prayer Group," our not-so-creative name for a small handful of classmates that gathers nightly to pray for campus. I'm blessed beyond blessed to be involved with such passionate, fun-loving, and inspiring people!

What I like best about Whitworth: Outstanding faculty with a commitment to Christ and to Scripture. I am extraordinarily blessed to have close, friendly relationships with professors who are at once leading scholars, compassionate mentors, and inspiring Christian role models.

What I plan to do after graduation: I hope to integrate my Christian commitments, my academic passions, and my love of missions and evangelism with an outreach to secular, intellectual audiences. My immediate next step will be to go to graduate school, possibly for archaeology, in preparation for a doctorate. In the long run, I hope to cultivate some kind of ministry in apologetics or Christian scholarship, potentially overseas.

The most important life lesson I've learned in my time at Whitworth:"He must become greater; I must become less."