by Jadyn Aldrich
Class of 2025
Not everybody stops to appreciate the music. This is why those who do stand out with a certain brightness, which is certainly the case for Crown College Alumni Jared and Shanna Dawson, who have an appreciation of both the literal and metaphorical music in their lives. Christians can be deeply moved and even left sobered by Christ’s sacrifice, but Christ’s death was not where the story ended. It is important to embrace the joy and vibrant life that comes from the eternal hope He offers. The Dawsons have not only faithfully walked through hardships, but they have let faith color their lives in their service, instruction, and worship over the past 30 years.
Shanna Dawson graduated from Crown College in 1994 with a degree in elementary education. Her husband, Jared, graduated the following year with a bachelor’s in instrumental music education, and he has since been honored with a Crown Alumni award. Shanna, originally from La Crosse, WI, had never even heard of Crown College until shortly before deciding to attend. After a campus visit, she quickly fell in love with the small school atmosphere and knew that Crown College felt like home. Similarly, Jared, originally from Monticello, had not planned on attending Crown either. He had spent the summer after graduating high school working in California, and in a quick turnaround, enrolled at Crown about a week before classes started! Originally only planning to stay a year, Jared would become highly involved at Crown and in student leadership, eventually serving as student body president.
When sharing how she chose her major, Shanna stated that education had “always been in my genes, it just took a while to figure out.” When choosing his major, Jared explained how the more he became involved in the music program as an underclassman, the more he loved it and eventually decided on instrumental music education. In fact, the music program at Crown would serve as an integral part of both Jared and Shanna’s college experience.
The two served on the worship team throughout their time at Crown, sharing their talent and upbeat music with the student body. This was one of a few shared groups they enjoyed which led to them meeting each other. Another musically-inclined classmate who played alongside them in the program was none other than Crown College’s Dr. Bill Kuhn (1992), who currently serves as dean of the School of Theology and Ministry.
Overall, Crown’s music program was responsible for some of the Dawson’s’ fondest memories as students. They warmly recalled long bus rides on music tours and the many different destinations they led to, ranging from local church visits to out-of-state events. Shanna and Jared said that they loved all their professors, and the one they felt most connected to was Dr. Dave Donelson, who was highly involved in Crown’s former Department of Music. Another beloved professor was Dr. Joe Tewinkel (1957). Shanna recounted one late night of writing her “Slice of Life Paper” and her appreciation for his unique ability to bring history to life.
Since their time at Crown, the Dawsons have spent over 30 years working in the field of education. They both said they had felt well-prepared for their careers due to their time as students in Crown’s strong education department. Jared specifically expressed his appreciation for Crown’s initiative to prepare them for the dynamic nature of the field, in which flexibility is key.
But perhaps what Jared and Shanna valued most was Crown’s commitment to spiritual development and servant leadership. Regarding spirituality, they said they appreciated the opportunity to learn and study theological truth while also learning from wise professors with strong biblical knowledge. “When you leave Crown and go off into your career, it’s important to have faith and persistence,” Jared said. As for servant leadership, this is a value that the Dawsons not only appreciate but put into action. The couple has been using their talents in music and service to inspire their community and emphasize the importance of these principles to their children by leading through example. They said they enjoyed the opportunity they had at Crown to strengthen their personal relationship with God and become part of a larger community of believers.
The couple has seen and continues to see God at work in their lives since their graduation. They continue to learn His nature. “Through the ups and downs, God is constant,” Shanna said. “His presence is what sustains us.” The wisdom of her experience is a good reminder that, whether on the mountain tops or in the valleys, in happiness or grief, God is present through it all.
When asked what advice they would give to new Crown students, Jared and Shanna said they would encourage them to truly be present in their time at Crown and to get connected; with peers, a church, and with the Lord. They would encourage new and incoming students to cherish the relationships that they build with friends, faculty, and staff as these are the lifelong relationships that will remain, even 30-plus years down the road.
Similarly, when asked what advice they would give to students finishing their time at Crown and preparing for what’s next, the Dawsons said students should stay connected to the past while looking forward to the future. Shanna encouraged graduates to intentionally maintain the relationships they have built in their time at Crown and to seek opportunities to stay connected as alumni, such as revisiting the school at events like Homecoming. Jared encouraged graduates to embrace what lies ahead of them. “Get up and get after it,” he said. While there may be challenges in the future, it is important to maintain perseverance and to trust that God will be faithful in orchestrating His plans for our lives.
Jared and Shanna are a great example of a couple that has not been deafened to the music faith brings to their lives. While working in education, they have not forgotten their heavenly command to teach truth, and in worship they have not forgotten the reason for their song. A verse from Psalms seems to tie in nicely to their story. This Psalm of exultation combines the importance of both music and instruction and serves as a reminder to appreciate the grandeur of God’s great symphony: Sing to Him, sing praise to Him, tell of all His wondrous acts. Psalm 105:2
