Mr. Kevin Minor (’00) came to the Hill and earned his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Since graduating from ETBU, he has enjoyed a successful career centered on service and integrity. Mr. Minor served as a forensic chemist for four years before joining the FBI, where he has served as a Special Agent for the past 21 years and counting.
Read along to hear more about Kevin’s journey, his reflections on the impact ETBU made on his life, and how it shaped his future.
Throughout my career, I have sought to approach every responsibility with professionalism, a commitment to excellence, and a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Just as meaningful as my professional journey has been my family. My wife and I are grateful to have four children, and they remain my greatest source of encouragement and purpose. My family has been a constant source of joy, perspective, and encouragement throughout the many seasons of our journey. Balancing the demands of a career in federal law enforcement with family life has been one of my greatest blessings and responsibilities, and I am thankful for their unwavering support.
I came to ETBU because I was offered and accepted a basketball scholarship. At the time, I had high ambitions but no expectations. While earning a college education was always my top priority, I also dreamed of playing professional basketball and wanted to pursue that opportunity while continuing my education.
Basketball opened the door to ETBU, but what I found went far beyond the game. During my time there, my faith deepened, I built lifelong relationships, and I became part of a community that genuinely cared about helping students grow spiritually, academically, and personally.
Every member of the ETBU faculty and staff who poured into my life had an impact on the person I am today. Looking back, I realize how fortunate I was to be surrounded by people who cared not only about my education but also about my growth as a person.
Three individuals who had a particularly lasting impact on me were Dr. Bob Graves in Chemistry, Dr. John Harris in Theology and Religion, and Dr. John Vaughan in English and Literature.
Dr. Graves' influence is easy to understand because I majored in Chemistry. He challenged me academically, helped develop my scientific foundation, and showed me the importance of discipline, preparation, and attention to detail. The lessons I learned from him extended far beyond the classroom and have served me well throughout my career.
My connection with Dr. Harris is something I still have difficulty putting into words. There was something about his teaching style and his ability to communicate biblical truths in a way that was both meaningful and relatable that drew me in. He had a gift for making faith practical and showing how Scripture connects to everyday life. His influence helped shape my spiritual growth and the way I view leadership, service, and purpose.
Then there is Dr. Vaughan. While I never had definitive proof, I have always had a strong suspicion that he was the person responsible for placing an anonymous copy of Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena" speech in my mailbox after one of the most difficult moments of my basketball career and life at the time. When asked, he denied knowing about it—but I still have my suspicions. Whether he was responsible or not, that moment represents the kind of person he was: someone who understood the importance of encouragement and the impact a simple act of kindness can have on a student.
One of the greatest blessings from my time at ETBU has been the lifelong relationships I built there. More than three decades later, I remain close with many of the alumni who were my classmates and teammates. Even though we've pursued different careers and live in different places, the friendships we formed on the Hill have endured. We continue to celebrate one another's successes, support each other through life's challenges, and stay connected because of the bond we built at ETBU. I am grateful for the friendships that have stood the test of time and proud to be part of an alumni family that continues to encourage, support, and inspire one another.
When I reflect, I think about the extraordinary sense of community that defined ETBU. It was a place where people genuinely cared for one another.
One experience has stayed with me for more than three decades. During my redshirt freshman year, we were playing a home conference game with playoff implications. Through hard work, I had earned my coaches' and teammates' trust, and in a close game, I found myself on the court in crunch time. With the game tied and only two seconds remaining, I was fouled and sent to the free-throw line with two chances to win the game.
I missed both free throws.
The game went into overtime, and we lost. I was devastated. I felt as though I had let down my teammates, my coaches, and everyone who had believed in me. I slipped out the back door of the gym, ran to my room, and cried. I was so embarrassed that I didn't even go to class the next day.
When I finally found the courage to return to class, I stopped by my student mailbox. Inside was an envelope with my name and mailbox number on it but no sender information. It contained only a worn, coffee-stained copy of Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena" speech...complete with a red circle identifying a misspelled word.
At the time, I had to read it several times before its message truly sank in. Roosevelt reminds us that the credit belongs "to the man who is actually in the arena", the one who strives, who falls and comes up short at times, but has the courage to keep getting up and showing up. That anonymous gift changed my perspective. Someone in the ETBU community saw my disappointment, chose compassion over criticism, and reminded me that one moment does not define a person. Again, I have a strong suspicion it was Dr. Vaughn.
I've never discovered who placed that speech in my mailbox, but I've never forgotten the lesson. That simple act of kindness embodied what ETBU was, and continues to be, a community grounded in faith, encouragement, and servant leadership. Throughout my life, I've often reflected on that experience. It has challenged me to be the kind of person who notices when others are struggling, one who offers encouragement when it's needed most, and believes in people even when they struggle to believe in themselves.
When I think about ETBU, I remember more than wins, losses, and classrooms. I remember a community that quietly invested in its students, taught resilience through grace, and demonstrated the love of Christ in simple, meaningful ways. That anonymous envelope remains one of the greatest lessons I received on the Hill, and its impact has lasted a lifetime.
The lessons I learned at ETBU, especially the importance of faith, character, servant leadership, and investing in relationships, have influenced not only the way I approach my career but also the way I strive to lead my family. Looking back, I appreciate how my time at ETBU helped lay a foundation that has guided me through both the opportunities and challenges of life, reminding me that success is measured not only by professional accomplishments but also by faithfulness, integrity, and the impact we have on others.
The university challenged me to pursue excellence while keeping faith, character, and service at the center of my life. Those lessons have continued to guide me long after graduation, and I remain grateful that what began as an opportunity to play basketball became a foundation for life.
If I had five minutes with ETBU students today, I would encourage them to fully embrace every opportunity they have while they are on the Hill. I would tell students to take advantage of the community around them. Get to know your professors. Build relationships with your classmates. Allow people to challenge you, encourage you, and walk alongside you.
I would also tell them not to be afraid of failure. Some of the moments that shape us most are the ones where we fall short. Through experiences, I learned something far more valuable than how to handle success—I learned the power of grace, encouragement, and community.
Finally, I would encourage students to pursue excellence while remembering that their identity is not defined by achievements, titles, or accomplishments. The world will measure success in many ways, but ETBU teaches something deeper: that character, faith, service, and the way we impact others are what truly matter.
Be present. Build relationships. Work hard. Serve others. You may come to ETBU pursuing one dream, but God may use this place to prepare you for something far greater than you ever imagined.