alumni highlight
Kristi (McClintock) Scheerbaum
Class Year: 2005
Major: Theology
Household: Totus Tuus Maria
Consultant for Franciscan University Christian Outreach Office and author of the Discipleship Quad Guidebooks
Where are you from and how did you decide to come to Franciscan to study?
I am from Texas (Houston area). When I was in high school, I went to the Steubenville Summer Youth Conferences (in Louisiana) each summer. The summer before my senior year I had an impactful conversion experience that changed the trajectory of my life. I experienced God's love in a real tangible way that transformed my life. I was planning on going to school to become a veterinarian, but decided that God may have other plans for me. I visited FUS and felt like it was where I was supposed to be. I remember seeing so many students at daily mass, and I wanted to be in a place where I would have friends that made the mass and Eucharist the center of their life. I came to Franciscan to study because I knew it would be a place where my relationship with God would thrive as well as receive a good education.
What did you study and what were you involved in on campus as a student?
I studied Theology with a concentration in Catechetics. I was involved in Totus Tuus Maria household all four years, and I was coordinator my junior year. I also was involved in prayer ministry for the FOPs, Life in the Spirit retreats, spring break mission trips, and I had a job on campus.
What have you been doing since graduation (professionally)?
I worked as a high school teacher after graduation but then quickly returned to Franciscan University to work in the conference office when a job opened to help give back to the conferences that had given me so much. I worked there for 9 years full time. Then after having a couple of children, I felt called to be at home more and quit the full time job. Since then I have continued as a consultant for the conference office, and now have five children. I am working closely with the Steubenville Discipleship Quad process and helping parishes and Catholics develop discipleship small groups for forming disciples that make disciples.
Why do you stay involved with the University?
My primary way of staying involved now is through my job, and I do this because I am passionate about discipleship formation. I feel like I have been given so much from FUS and it is a pleasure to continue to give back by using God's gifts and talents he has given me. It has been a wonderful gift to serve with the alumni board. I care about helping alumni to know the good that FUS has done and continues to do in the church today.