Zoditu Schwind: Empress at George Fox University
By: Honor Tamminga
In 1876, a baby girl was born in Ethiopia. She was named Zoditu and would later become empress of her nation. Over a century later, in 2002, another Zoditu was born in Ethiopia. Now a George Fox University (GFU) student, this modern Zoditu has become an empress here, in her own way.
On Oct. 11, I found a bag of candy and a “Happy Birthday” banner outside my room on the second floor of Hobson Hall (nicknamed “Hob 2”). Later that day, Zoditu Schwind, my Resident Advisor (RA), wished me a happy birthday in person. To this day, she has never failed to text me on Tuesday nights and ask if I’d like a ride to play ultimate frisbee at Austin Sports Complex. And she always has a smile and a wave ready when I see her.
On Monday nights at 5:30 p.m. Schwind leads her residents into Canyon Commons for weekly floor dinners. Conversation topics range from homework, to relationship drama, to whatever may be next on the movie list for this group of Hob 2 residents. Schwind laughs and talks with them, listening to all their stories, the little and the big. She asks intentional and meaningful questions. “What was a low for you this weekend? What was a high?” Some of the answers she receives are lighthearted, some are heavy. Schwind listens to them all.
As she rules over her little domain as an RA, Schwind possesses the qualities that anyone would want in their empress: confidence, kindness, and humility.
Zoditu Schwind photographed by Victoria Prieto.
As a sophomore at GFU, Schwind has been intentional in her interactions with the residents of Hob 2. Schwind always seeks the best for those under her care and in the years to come. She hopes to become a leader shaped by both humility and confidence.
Schwind has lived in various parts of Africa throughout her life. As someone with seven years of experience living cross-culturally, she has an interesting perspective on what diversity means. “I’ve been exposed to so many different cultures,” Schwind said. “It’s definitely opened me up in the way of relating to different people.”
She looks forward to continuing her journeys to new parts of the world, which may include a semester at Oxford and visiting Israel. Exploring cultural settings relates to her passion for discovering the complexity of human identities. Schwind has learned that “skin color doesn’t denote diversity: it’s experience that really does. … It’s amazing when you sit down with someone, and they are the only one that can really tell you about their life.” Someday, she says, she may want to settle back in Ethiopia.
Wherever she goes, and whatever leadership position she fills next, Schwind will always carry with her love for others.
She may not be able to actually claim the title of empress that belonged to her namesake, but to those on Hob 2, Zoditu Schwind is the best kind of ruler: the kind that truly loves her subjects.