2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year: Tracey Jarzombek

Since May 20, 2023, Tracey Jarzombek has been with Jesus face-to-face in His Kingdom. Although I miss her dearly, I look forward to seeing her again at the Great Reunion. Tracey is the recipient of the 2025 Alumni of the Year Award, posthumously. 

Tracey and I were dear friends. I knew Tracey longer than almost any other person in the Timothy Christian community. She was on the Search Committee when I was hired over 15 years ago. (I used to tell people they could blame Tracey.) She also served on the board as long as any board member I’ve served with. She was certainly the most engaged board member I’ve ever worked with at any school, and she is on the Mount Rushmore of Timothy Christian board members. Seismic changes took place during her leadership on the board. I’m quite certain we (or I) couldn’t have achieved many things without her. Her fingerprints are all over our campus.

Tracey was brave. Most of the time when we think of bravery or courage, we think of it as a loud and energizing way to rally the troops – storming the castle, taking the hill, holding the line. We often think of bravery as boisterous. But with Tracey, it was calming, soothing…a quiet strength…a blessed assurance. Her courage always gave a sense that – no matter what – everything was going to be OK because it was based on her deeply genuine faith in God.

Seismic changes took place during her leadership on the board. I’m quite certain we (or I) couldn’t have achieved many things without her. Her fingerprints are all over our campus.

Tracey was a connector. She always made people feel welcome. She was one of the first people to make my family feel welcome. My wife, Julie, would often go to school events and say, “I hope Tracey will be there.” Tracey noticed people. There was a pull, a warmth, around her.

Tracey believed in our young people. Whether it was her work at Timothy or a ministry or at church or so many other places – she invested in our youth. In an era where our youth hear from plenty of doubters, she believed our young people can change the world.

Tracey loved her family. She was an amazing wife and mom. She spoke frequently of family…she was loyal…she made time for family…and made it a priority. Julie and I were blessed to share in some precious moments with Tracey and her family.

Tracey loved Jesus. This is the only thing she’d insist that I mention in this article. As many good things that she achieved in her life, only one qualified her for everlasting life in the Kingdom of God – her faith and trust in Jesus. Her life serves as an example for us all.

We honor her life and her family with this well-deserved award.