If you’ve been on Auburn University’s campus over the past few years, chances are, you’ve probably already encountered Trey and didn’t even know it. . . Or . . . maybe you did.

You may have seen flashes of his 500-watt smile as he blew past you on a run, or you took one of his tours of campus where Trey regaled about the Loveliest Village on the Plains.

Leslie and I met Trey in the fall of 2023 while hosting a recurring college ministry and Bible study group in our home. As a sophomore, Trey came in a bit over-confident, seemingly arrogant, and boisterously staked his claim amongst the mostly upperclassmen.

Spending time with him, there are things you effortlessly discover about Trey. He loves Jesus, has an abundance of energy, works hard, loves others, and is his girlfriend’s biggest fan.

Trey has a lot he could brag about. He came to Auburn University with and maintains straight A’s. He was a member of the cross-country and track team. He’s president of the university student recruiters, is active in all sorts of clubs and organizations, is involved in church, and now leads his own college ministry group.

What I have grown to love and admire about Trey is his pursuit of improvement. I rarely encounter someone as eager to lead, learn, and grow as Trey.

He and I meet weekly, at his request, where he routinely shares what excites him but also wants to work on his struggles. Trey is so far ahead of where I was at his age that it astounds me he would even care what I think. When I offer any semblance of wisdom, he never pushes back, justifies his stance, or tells me where I’m wrong. He asks clarifying questions and thanks me for my thoughts.

It’s easy to mistake Trey as cocky or arrogant, but that is not the case at all. When I spend time with Trey, I am often reminded of the quote by St. Irenaeus of Lyon, “The Glory of God is man fully alive.”

Trey is a Sharper Leader who is fully alive!

Trey humbly pursues Jesus, strives for perfection, and realizes more and more every day that slowing down and embracing life’s imperfections (his and others) allows him to stumble ever closer to fulfilling relationships, less stress, and lasting impact.