Jaclyn Gidley: Legacy of Faith
Jaclyn Gidley’s journey to Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) began long before she enrolled as a student. In the late 1960s, Michael Scott Roorbach (’73) and Karen Hand (’71) met on the Marion College campus, fell in love, and married. A few years later, Michael became Marion College’s director of alumni relations, a role he held for several years before moving into other positions at the university.
Their daughter-in-law, Janell Roorbach (’96), followed in their footsteps, earning a nursing degree from IWU while balancing life as a student-athlete and mother to three children: Jaclyn (’12), Kevin (’17), and Kyle. Janell’s husband Keith Roorbach has worked at IWU for nearly 30 years, and has impacted many students, alumni, staff and their families.
Growing up, Jaclyn and her brothers were frequently on campus—attending athletic events, eating family meals at Baldwin, and visiting their grandparents and father in their offices. IWU was more than just a university—it was a second home.
A Student Experience Shaped by Faith
After high school, it was no surprise that Jaclyn chose IWU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in sports management with a business administration minor.
During her time as a student, Dr. Wilbur Williams’ Old Testament class left a lasting impact. She also treasured a May term trip to Israel with him and several peers.
“That trip was life-altering,” Jaclyn remembers. “I’ll always cherish those memories and experiences.”
Another key influence was Dr. Bud Bence, whose Summit chapel messages arrived during a difficult season in her life and challenged her to trust God completely, no matter what. Though her college years had their share of highs and lows, Jaclyn appreciates the lessons she learned during those moments.
While at IWU, Jaclyn met Steven Gidley, a fellow sports management major. The two fell in love and married in 2013, the summer after Steven graduated. The couple then moved out of Indiana, taking jobs in three different states. Though Jaclyn’s ties to IWU were strong, this new phase of life allowed her to grow professionally beyond the familiar.
A Career in Campus Recreation
Over the next ten years, Jaclyn worked in campus recreation at: Central Michigan University, University of Northern Colorado, Utah State University, and Ball State University.
One of the proudest moments of her career came during her time at Utah State, where she launched Unified Sports—a program that connected Special Olympics, intramural sports, and club sports.
“The pure joy of unifying students and athletes created memories that I’ll never forget,” Jaclyn says.
Eventually, Jaclyn and Steven moved back to Indiana when she took a position at Ball State University. This return placed her in the perfect position to come back to IWU—this time, as a staff member.
Returning to IWU: A Heart for Service
Jaclyn’s first role back at IWU was a part-time job with Athletics as the assistant director of aquatics. She worked with the student lifeguards, varsity swim teams, and provided programmed swim lessons for the community. Her second job was with the Student Involvement Office, where she launched The Hub Pantry, a free on-campus resource for students. The pantry allows students to select non-perishable food, drinks, hygiene products, and household essentials once a month. In its first year alone, it fulfilled hundreds of orders, providing an invaluable resource to students in need.
Soon after, she was asked to consider a new role—director of alumni and church relations.
This position was particularly meaningful because her grandfather had once held it. Deciding whether to accept was something Jaclyn did not take lightly.
After prayerful consideration, she entered the interview process and accepted the role, stepping into it less than three months after her grandfather’s passing.
Rebuilding Alumni Engagement
One of Jaclyn’s first major tasks was reviving the IWU Alumni Board, which had been inactive for nearly eight years. Additionally, IWU had gone five years without a director of alumni and church relations, making re-engaging the alumni community a significant challenge.
Through an emphasis on alumni testimony, time, and talent, Jaclyn slowly began rebuilding connections—both between alumni and campus and among alumni themselves.
“I believe that each event, story, and connection we can experience has the potential to impact our overall IWU community,” Jaclyn notes.
She considers the successful relaunch of the IWU Alumni Board to be her proudest achievement so far.
“Recruiting each member and having everyone commit to this new board has been a true privilege. I’m thrilled with what has and will be accomplished, as well as the immense impact they’ll have on the IWU community.”
Building a Stronger Community
In addition to the deep personal meaning of her role, Jaclyn enjoys shaping alumni and church engagement initiatives from the ground up. Though daunting at times, she considers her work a privilege and deeply appreciates the team around her.
She has also found encouragement in the wider community of alumni professionals she now collaborates with. She challenges her team to communicate effectively, think creatively, and explore new partnership opportunities, knowing they share a passion for the IWU community.
A Faith-Driven Calling
Jaclyn feels incredibly blessed to have grown up in a family and community that encouraged her to develop a personal relationship with Christ at a young age. Like many others in her family, IWU has played a significant role in her faith journey—both as a student and an employee.
“Having worked at various state universities, I’m so thankful for the strong biblical stances IWU takes and that I don’t have to be concerned that my responsibilities will go against the Bible,” says Jaclyn. “Knowing that God has us all in the right roles in His timing has been very meaningful in my journey, as has loyalty to God and family no matter the cost.”
