MARION, Ind. (Sep. 15, 2025) – Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is pleased to announce the 2025 Alumni World Changers. Since 2012, IWU has annually honored at least one alumnus or alumna with the distinction of Alumni World Changer. This year’s recipient is Stephanie M. Somerville, in recognition of a life defined by care, compassion, and sacrificial love.
Somerville graduated from IWU in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Her education helped solidify her life’s purpose – to reach the lost and change the world for Christ. That calling led Stephanie and her husband, Darren, to establish Impact Battery and move to Oregon to care for foster kids at a residential boys’ ranch. There, Somerville saw firsthand the deep needs within the foster care system and became a passionate advocate for children and families, eventually opening her own home to foster children.
Stephanie has since received her master’s degree and currently serves with the Orphan Care Alliance, chairs the court-appointed Kentucky Citizen Foster Care Review Board for Madison County, and sponsors annual Fostering Hope 5K races to raise awareness and support for foster care initiatives.
Somerville has also served as the trauma and emergency preparedness coordinator for a regional hospital system and owns Evexia Mental Health PLLC. Through both roles, she’s been able to do even more to reach those in need.
While attending Immanuel Baptist Church on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University, Somerville began building relationships with student-athletes. Today, she serves on the board for the Central Kentucky East Fellowship of Christian Athletes, in addition to all her other responsibilities. A former student-athlete herself, Somerville finds joy in sharing the gospel with young athletes – many of whom come from around the globe.
Stephanie’s life verse is Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Somerville’s greatest joy is seeing her children – Caleb, Nathan, Madison, and Katelyn – develop their relationships with the Lord. Whether working with student-athletes, foster families, or faith communities, Stephanie gives her all in service to God.
Somerville will receive the distinction of Alumni World Changer at the 2025 Homecoming Distinguished Alumni Awards ceremony, where she will be honored alongside five other distinguished alumni. Somerville will then receive a permanent plaque near the Jackson Library rotunda, where she will join fifteen previous inductees.
