Pursuing Flourishing for Wheaton and Beyond: Wade Watkins ’27

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Wade Watkins ’27

“How do we help human beings flourish?” This question has been the driving force behind everything Wade Watkins ’27 has done throughout his time at Wheaton. 

Born to missionary parents in Chicago and raised in the Middle East, Watkins grew up with a perspective informed by the global church and a curiosity about how the world works. This combination fostered a desire within him to pursue human flourishing, which led him to the field of economics. 

In addition, he is working toward his Certificate for Politics, Philosophy, and Economics, a series of classes that help deepen students’ ability to engage a wide variety of public policy issues with skills and knowledge from multiple disciplines. “Economics seemed like the most interesting and accessible way for me to learn about how the world works and develop solutions to real problems,” Watkins said. “The ultimate goal of the economics program at Wheaton is to identify what it means for humans to flourish and how we can accomplish that.”

In line with his value for flourishing, Watkins served as a cabin leader at HoneyRock last summer. “I entered the summer with a lot of confidence but was humbled pretty quickly,” said Watkins. “It was impactful to be responsible for shaping so much of the experience of the third- to sixth-grade boys I led. It was also awesome to discuss the Bible with them and just support their whole being emotionally.”

Watkins also knew that his role was not only important to the campers. “The reason campers come to HoneyRock, at least in part, is because their parents want them to have Christlike mentors in their lives,” he said. “Having that reminder throughout the summer impressed upon me the idea that being a follower of Jesus isn’t just for me. I have a duty and an obligation to those around me to be like Christ.”

Watkins also seeks opportunities to help his fellow students thrive. Most recently, he joined a student cabinet that plans Missions in Focus, a conference that brings more than 20 mission organizations to campus, helping students envision what it means to live missionally. “We’re asking ourselves a lot of questions,” Watkins said. “What do we want the student body to get out of this year when it comes to missions? How can we mobilize students? How can we connect with and get information to them? Working through these questions together results in meaningful conversations among us and creative planning, keeping us focused on our common goal.”

Watkins has received more from those experiences than he even imagined he would. “I wanted to give back to Wheaton since this place and its people have been really good to me,” he said. “However, like iron sharpens iron, student leadership has also connected me with people who continue to help me grow.”

He sees a similar mindset and mutual development reflected in the track and field, cross country, and dive teams he competed with. “Athletics at Wheaton are these communities where you are known deeply, maybe more deeply than you want to be,” he said. “No matter what you do, you’re a part of this team, and the team is going to fight for you and support you. So, in my relationships and vocation going forward in life, I want to consider how I can better care for the whole person as I’ve learned to do on my teams.”

As he begins to plan for a future career in anti-poverty work and research, Watkins recognizes he has been deeply shaped by these Wheaton relationships and his faith. No matter where he goes next, he says, he will continue asking this key question: “How can I align what I do with God’s interest in a faithful way?”