Salissa Tonkin is known for being one of the friendliest people on Union College’s campus. An outspoken leader, she always seems to be involved with some project—that is, when she’s not working on her double psychology and social work major or leading at The Well, College View Seventh-day Adventist Church’s collegiate Sabbath school.
Tonkin was honored with a Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship during an online ceremony on February 19 highlighting the 2022 laureates and fellows recognized by the Charles E. Weniger Society for Excellence. Each year the society honors Seventh-day Adventist higher education leaders and is the only organization to award a scholarship to an outstanding student at every Adventist college in the U.S. and Canada.
As a Weniger Fellow for 2022, Tonkin will receive a $750 scholarship from the Weniger Society and a $750 match from Union College. “I am so thankful to receive this scholarship,” said Tonkin. “This is just another example of the blessings that God continues to put in my path.”
Tonkin calls Sitka, a small island in southeast Alaska, home. She chose to become an Adventist while attending Auburn Adventist Academy in Washington. She said, “At first, I saw it just as a way to get off the island and ensure some security for myself. My home life wasn’t great at the time. But in my junior year, I was nominated to speak at student week of prayer. While writing my speech, I felt God for the first time. He directed my thoughts in a way I don’t think I could have alone.”
Tonkin chose to come to Union to continue her education in an Adventist space. “At Union, the experience has been uplifting in a way that can only be God-led,” she said. “I am blessed to have mentors that can talk to me and educate me about how grace works. I have been able to develop my spiritual life by participating in the community here.”
“When the Union College Scholarship Committee began looking into candidates, Salissa immediately came to mind,” said Kate Kamarad, director of scholarships and special events at Union. “She is a natural leader. You can often find her in the cafeteria being friendly and demonstrating her love for Jesus. When she’s up front, she chooses to be vulnerable and real.”
As head of hospitality for The Well, Tonkin has many opportunities to speak. She said, “Being empowered to speak about my story has been great. I have a deal with God where if I’m asked to speak, I don’t say no. He has held up His end by making it manageable for me and giving me the words to help other people. I know when I get asked, it’s heaven ordained.”
As Tonkin looks towards the future, she envisions herself using her leadership and communication skills to assist victims of homelessness and substance abuse. “My passion within the field of social work is helping homeless people and people who have been affected by substance abuse. I’m doing my senior research project on homeless people and the public’s perception of them.
Although Tonkin isn’t completely sure where her career will lead her, she knows that God will continue to guide.”There is no other source that is dependable like God is,” she said. “Anything could happen to me, but I’ve been shown time and time again that the one thing that doesn’t fall through is God.”
More about the Weniger Fellows Student Scholarship
Charles E. Weniger was a Seventh-day Adventist educator who served as a professor and as dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Washington D.C. and Michigan from 1948 to 1961. Known as “Uncle Charlie,” he dedicated his life to serving his students, his church and his community. The Charles E. Weniger Society is dedicated to preserving his legacy by recognizing Adventists who demonstrate the values of humility, character and commitment to their communities that Weniger held dear.
Each year, the Weniger Fellows Students Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to one undergraduate student from each of the 13 accredited Adventist colleges in North America. Students who are chosen to receive the scholarship have demonstrated excellence in spirituality, academics, civic service and leadership.
