Electrician Mark Cruse shines a light at Wheaton in more ways than one. As head of the football team’s chain crew (which signals the downs and distances) and the recent recipient of the Wheaton Athletics Service Award—Cruse hopes to be a “lighthouse in the locker room.” Whether he’s on the road with the football team or with fellow bikers, Cruse inspires others to live with audacity.

Every summer, Cruse rides 1,000 miles to the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, where thousands of bikers congregate. Cruse first attended in 2003 with Chaplain Emeritus Stephen Kellough ’70. Decked in leather, they joined half a million bikers and connected with other Christians. Each year at Sturgis, Cruse serves his fellow bikers through prayer vigils and “bike blessings,” where they pray for the bikes and riders’ safety, and through hosting a camp for Christian riders. Outside Mount Rushmore National Memorial, he helps provide free boot shines, which he compares to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. “We offer to pray for them,” he says. “I’ve never been turned down.” He is currently vice president of the Illinois chapter of Black Sheep Harley Davidsons for Christ.

Cruse hopes to expand his ministry so that members of the Wheaton community can become involved in the evangelistic opportunities. “You can use your hobbies for Christ,” says Cruse. “Be outside your comfort zone. You never know what can happen.”

HOMETOWN: GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS

TITLE: INTERIM MANAGER OF ELECTRIC SHOP

DEPARTMENT: FACILITIES MAINTENANCE

YEARS AT WHEATON: 36

EDUCATION: GRANITE CITY COMMUNITY HIGHSCHOOL

FUN FACT: CRUSE HAS VISITED ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, BELGIUM, ROMANIA, FRANCE, AND SENEGAL ON MISSIONTRIPS