Danny Aguilar
Graduation year: 2013
Hometown: Chicago (Go Cubs!)
Major: Sociology ‐Social Justice and Inequality
Involvement at Wheaton: Debate Team
Why SG? Cultural diversity is important to me and is most beautifully explained in the following quotation: "If all humans are made in the image of God, and we only know people who look like us, then we are missing out on a big part of who God is." SG gives me a chance to promote cultural diversity on Wheaton's campus.
About me: I am not Wheaton Legacy, in fact, I am the first person in my family to even graduate from high school. This is an amazing testimony to God's glory, love, and power! I grew up in Chicago, lived in government housing, and went to public elementary schools. I ended up going to Mooseheart High School which is a residential high school for "at‐risk" youth. After graduation, I attended the University of Illinois in Champaign‐Urbana, where I eventually dropped out because of drug addiction. For many years I rejected the Gospel that was being shared with me by my mother and grandmother. It was not until I ended up in jail for retail theft that I ended up being broken enough and desperate enough for Jesus. My newfound desire to follow Jesus was cultivated, nurtured, encouraged, and guided for fifteen months at a post‐prison ministry in Wheaton called the Koinonia House.
Why Wheaton? It was not God's plan for me to become a drug addict and end up in jail, but Romans 8:28 says, " we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." God radically changed my heart in jail to one that desires to love Him, and He called me according to His purpose! Now I am at Wheaton College on the Chuck Colson Scholarship, which "provides former prisoners with a college education and life formation program that develops them as Christian leaders." This is why I chose Wheaton, and is just one example of how God can take even the darkest areas of your life and turn them around for His glory!
What impact would you like Student Government to have on campus this year? I would like SG to promote an environment that celebrates cultural diversity. I would love for the Wheaton College community to see diversity as something that God created and values. When we neglect this, we are missing out on a part of the Image and Kingdom of God.
When you’re not studying or working on projects, where can you be found on campus? In the Stupe or lower Beamer hanging out with friends and meeting new people.
Describe Wheaton in three words: Challenging. Intense. Life‐giving.
Most memorable experience at Wheaton: I will never forget my wilderness Passage experience!
What makes Wheaton unique? Widespread intentional community
Favorite campus event: All‐school Communion
How has the Wheaton Community impacted you? I have been profoundly impacted by the overwhelming love of Christ through the members of the Wheaton College Community. I know that I have already made some life‐long friends!