The latest addition to our series of Alumni Council Q&As features Council member and recent graduate Jonathan Faber.
Q: When did you graduate from Waynesburg University, and what was your major?
I graduated in 2022 with a BSBA in Finance.
Q: Where has life taken you since graduating from Waynesburg?
Since graduation, I’ve moved about 30 miles north to Cecil, PA, met the girl of my dreams, and will be getting married in May! I’ve always lived in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and plan to stay here. I’m plugged into a great church and my family lives nearby. Plus, who doesn’t want to be close to Waynesburg?
Q: What is your current job/title, and what is your current location?
I’m currently a Financial Advisor at JWL Wealth Management. My office is in Washington, PA, just one block from W&J. What I wouldn’t give to see Waynesburg out of my window instead.
Q: Can you describe your typical day?
What makes my job fun is that there isn’t exactly a typical day. In any given week I could be at my office, my home, a local business, or a client’s house. The variation keeps things interesting. My favorite days are spent visiting my clients, especially in their homes. There is something special about being in someone’s home, meeting their family, hearing their life story, and often sipping a homemade hot drink that was graciously offered to me the second I arrived.
It’s a very rewarding career because I get to help people with one of their biggest stresses: their finances. Every day, I hope to positively impact someone and imitate Christ in all that I do.
Q: Can you describe your time as a student at Waynesburg and how it shaped you, personally and professionally?
My four years at Waynesburg were the most formative years of my life, both personally and professionally. When I enrolled at Waynesburg, I was shy and had low self-esteem. Initially, I didn’t plan to get involved in much of anything at WU, but I’m very grateful that that changed! Waynesburg is a small, faith-based school, and that’s what makes it so special. I wasn’t just a number; I was a person who my professors, coaches, and classmates took interest in. They cared about not just my professional development, but my personal and spiritual growth as well. It truly felt like home. Through activities ranging from being on the golf team to playing guitar for chapel, I discovered my passions while attending WU.
Professionally, my current job is a direct result of an opportunity I received through Waynesburg. During my junior year, a financial advisor reached out to the Finance program in need of an intern. I applied and was hired in January 2021. When I graduated in 2022, the advisor brought me on full time and has helped me every step of the way as I grow my business.
Q: Who was your favorite faculty or staff member at Waynesburg, and why?
Dr. Larry Stratton. He taught in way that allowed me to develop my own philosophy and opinions. On top of that, he has a Christian worldview – not something you can find at every school. Most of his assignments involved reading books and writing essays, not busywork. Dr. Stratton helped me force myself to think and form opinions on difficult topics that I might have avoided if not for his classes. Outside of class, he was so friendly. Often, I would just be walking to class and hear him yell, “Hello, Mr. Faber,” from across the campus. He is such a kind person and great teacher.
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Waynesburg student?
Picking a favorite memory is always hard, because I can think of dozens right off the bat, but the first thing that comes to mind is Charter Day. I always enjoyed the chapel services and award ceremonies, especially when I get to be part of the music. But the best part was of course the feast that followed. We got a buffet of gourmet “Charter Day Chicken.” What a day that was every year!
Q: Why is staying connected with the University important to you?
Staying connected is important because I love this place! Whenever I go back to campus, I get that “kid in a candy store” feeling as I exit the highway and take the windy road into town. Whether it be volunteering or attending events, I take every opportunity that I can to connect with the school. Waynesburg is a huge part of my story, and I want to give back whenever possible!
Q: What does your role as an Alumni Council member entail, and what motivates you to give back to the University in this way?
Being a member of the Alumni Council is all about giving back to the WU community. We meet occasionally to plan upcoming events and then volunteer at those events in any way possible. Our goal is to foster an ongoing relationship between the school and its alumni and to create fun activities to keep graduates active with their alma mater.
Q: What advice do you have for current students? For recent graduates?
My advice for current students is to get involved! You are in the most formative years of your life, so take a risk and get outside of your comfort zone. Start a club, go to a Bible study, join a sports team. Just don’t let the years go by without utilizing all the great resources WU has to offer. You will grow as a person if you get outside of your comfort zone; I guarantee it.
For recent graduates, my advice is to both pursue a relationship with Jesus and find a Christian community. For years, you have had the support of your friends, teammates, and professors as well as all the faith-based activities you could ever want and then some. I remember graduating and wondering what was next, wondering what I would do to fill my free time. My advice is to use this time to pursue the Lord, and in doing so find a local church to be part of. Community is hard to find anywhere, but a church is a place where you can both pursue the Lord and find community. It doesn’t get much better than that!
