Inspiring and Motivating the Indiana Wesleyan University Staff at their Annual Retreat

I want to thank the gracious Indiana Wesleyan University team based in Marion, Indiana for welcoming me to their fine campus and annual retreat. On May 15th, around 200 IWU staff got the full Blake experience and listened to my story that I hope will inspire and motivate them to keep shooting for the stars all year long! Tammy McCoy, the Administrative Assistant in Faculty Recruitment had these kinds words to say: “Thank you again, Blake, for speaking at our Staff Retreat. It was so great to meet you and to hear your story. I have received many comments about how much they enjoyed your speech. Your message was right on target and well received. Again, thank you for your encouraging words.”

I appreciate my parents and my sister Molly for joining me and showing me their support. Dad is respected for his two decades of dedication to this terrific team, which encouraged me all the more. Growing and blooming where we are currently planted was the theme they asked me to speak on, and you can view the talk below.

I, too, received tremendous educational value through a message presented by IWU’s head basketball coach Greg Tonagel on putting our Lord in first place, others in second, and ourselves in third. Greg has celebrated 15 years of success in teaching his talented teams. He and his wife are parents to 6 kids, including two brand-new twins. Congratulations, Coach Tonagel!