HSU Insider

Professor of Church Ministry Helping Special Olympics in Honor of Uncle

• By Janlyn Echols Thaxton
• Posted August 12, 2009 1:28 PM
• 0 Comments

It's been eight years since Joe Foster died. Foster was born with Down syndrome in 1940, nine years before his nephew Ronnie Prevost was born. Today, Dr. Ronnie Prevost says of his Uncle Joe, "Knowing and loving him was an important part of my learning...."

Today, the Hardin-Simmons professor of church ministry teaches a range of theology courses from an introductory look at the New Testament to high level courses like theological research. It was Uncle Joe, however, who taught him something that is not listed in any college catalog.

On August 28, Dr. Prevost will be honoring this memory of his uncle by raising money for a cause close to his own heart. Prevost explains that his uncle often participated in Special Olympics. As a tribute to Joe, Prevost will swim 61 laps at the State Street YMCA pool. He is asking for pledges to be made to Special Olympics Texas to a fund called "Swimming for Joe."

Prevost says he will request help from some of his students to monitor the laps and keep an official tally. He has also arranged for some students taking fitness and sport sciences to be there as well to witness the event.

So why 61 laps? Why not just 60 or 25 laps? Prevost says, "Joe died in 2001 at the age of 61, and that is the reason for the 61 laps."

"The relationship Joe and I shared was one of acceptance. Knowing and loving him was an important part of my learning that being different does not make one less a person. Nor does it make them less worthy of respect as children of God."

Prevost strives to share the life lesson he learned from his uncle with his students today. "Hardin-Simmons is a place where students are challenged to grow in many dimensions of life: the spiritual, intellectual, social, and moral," says Prevost. "As a family, we are here--students, faculty, and administration alike--to challenge, support, and encourage each other as fellow pilgrims."

Funds raised for Prevost's swim will go to help the continuation of the Special Olympics program in Texas. But it also sets an example for his students, that their professor is willing to "walk the walk," or in this case "swim the walk."

Gifts can be sent directly to:
Special Olympics Texas/Big Country
104 Pine Street, Suite 413
Abilene, TX 79601
Please note it as a gift toward "Swimming for Joe"