A mixture of nerves and excitement are normal emotions for incoming college students. Jennifer Hagen was no exception to this norm. Jennifer had a deep desire to study God’s word but was not sure if college would be for her. However, she wanted to give it a shot despite her learning disabilities.

Jennifer Hagen

Jennifer’s parents, Harvey and Pat, graduated from Philadelphia College of Bible. While attending PCB, they met Dr. Penny Clawson. The now-retired education Professor Emeritus spearheaded an early effort to offer services at Lancaster Bible College to help students who needed extra support in the classroom. Designed for those with learning difficulties or disabilities, the services mirrored those available today through LBC’s Ally Center, albeit on a smaller scale.

In 1990, Jennifer began her college journey in LBC’s Secretarial Studies program. Although school did not come as easily to Jennifer, she completed a full year.

Still today, Jennifer has fond memories of her dorm room in Esbenshade Hall, working in the school kitchen and managing the softball team. She continues her love of sports as a Philadelphia Phillies fan. She is able to use her college courses and her LBC experiences in ministry, serving in AWANA for 35 years and helping third-graders learn Scripture at a weekly Bible club.

Now, Jennifer is facing a different sort of challenge than her journey to college. For the past few years, she’s struggled with kidney failure after a childhood diagnosis and is now in need of a kidney transplant. To see more of Jennifer’s story, click here.